“Leadership isn’t just about taking charge; it’s about empowering others from the shadows. My mom, Martha Hardwick, instilled in me the resilience and self-trust to lead, shaping a legacy of leadership and empowerment that continues through the Hardwick Fellowship.” Laura Durbin The Hardwick Fellowship at The University of Tennessee College of Law’s Institute for Professional Leadership What’s in a name? For this Fellowship, it’s a name representing a legacy of leadership and empowerment created by my mom, Martha Hardwick. Mom played a pivotal role in shaping my views of leadership ..read more

“As community leaders, lawyers have an opportunity, perhaps even an obligation, to help support the integrity of our electoral system at all levels of government.” Stuart N. Brotman As community leaders, lawyers have an opportunity, perhaps even an obligation, to help support the integrity of our electoral system at all levels of government. As stewards of the rule of law, guided by ethical practices of the profession, lawyers have an especially important role to play in 2024–when Americans will return to the polls for a Presidential election, along with voting in several other races for ..read more

“There are some people whose exuberance changes the character of a room for the better.  My friend and colleague Nick McCall was that kind of person.” Joan MacLeod Heminway Rick Rose Distinguished Professor of Law There are some people whose exuberance changes the character of a room for the better.  My friend and colleague Nick McCall was that kind of person.  His enthusiasm and energy—at times almost childlike—was contagious.  He was taken from our world much too soon.  He was a giver that still had so much to give . . . . Nick and I me ..read more

“You heard me right: “Ted Lasso” offers lawyers a good deal worth consideration.  The series is highly quotable, not just from Ted’s own pearls of wisdom but also for its other characters’ insights.”  By Jack H. (Nick) McCall While its original Apple TV run ended in May, “Ted Lasso”—with Jason Sudeikis in the title role as a college football coach, transplanted to lead a struggling English football (our  “soccer”) team—remains  highly popular.  PLOT-SPOILER ALERT: If you, like Marsha Watson, who as of writing this has not seen “Ted Lasso,” or if y ..read more

“Law school taught me I can do anything I put my mind to, when my mind is confident. The difference between 1L year and 2L year for me was the fact that I learned to give myself grace, and I took the pressure off myself.” Rachel Sojourner Dickerson, Esq. Fashion Strategist The first day of law school, I walked into the building scared to death. Imposter syndrome met me at the door. Imposter syndrome—“IS”—became one of my closet friends 1L year.  Wherever I went, IS was right there. I entered law school with an imaginary weight on my shoulders. I was a black girl. I was the firs ..read more

Joan Heminway – Rick Rose Distinguished Professor of Law Carson Blakely – 2023-24 Hardwick Fellow “ . . . The content of your character is your choice. Day by day, what you do is who you become. Your integrity is your destiny – it is the light that guides your way.” — Heraclitus 2024 has started off with a bang and promises to be a year of personal and professional transitions for many.  It is a presidential election year—with all that brings.  Capricious weather patterns have brought record snow here in Knoxville and other challenges locally and around the globe. Leading t ..read more

“I will never have the courage to lead in the way that Fran Ansley led.”  Joan MacLeod Heminway Rick Rose Distinguished Professor of Law Law leadership involves so many things; among them: foundational knowledge and experience, a sense of purpose, and the courageous pursuit of that purpose.  On the day that I write this, January 15, 2024, we lost a great lawyer leader: my UT Law colleague, Fran Ansley.  Fran embodied that knowledge, experience, purpose, and courage in almost everything she did, in and outside the classroom.  A tour of her scho ..read more

“Whatever negative, pessimistic content you are consuming, eliminate it cold turkey for a month and replace it with brilliant people’s thoughts and life’s work. By February, I believe you will see great improvements in your positivity.” W. Preston White Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP, Associate | University of Tennessee College of Law Class of 2023 “A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”  – Sir Winston Churchill  As we tie a bow on 2023, you are likely making New Year’s resolutions. Starting that new low-ca ..read more

Nevertheless, leadership opportunities often allow us to make contributions to organizations we value, and not surprisingly, we will continue to embrace them. Given that, how do we equip ourselves to give our best in these roles? Part of the solution is managing ourselves to maintain our energy and focus.  Stephen E. Roth Vice-President and General Counsel at JTV For lawyers, leadership roles are add-ons to already demanding schedules. Consider this scenario. You have an active law practice; you’re in firm management and you’re married with two young kids.  You decide th ..read more

It is important to remember why you started, what your goals are, and the reasons behind all of your actions. Your end all be all, this is what you will have to fall back on, and reminding yourself of these foundations can renew your motivation and give you the extra push you need to get through the day. Isabelle Thibault University of Tennessee College of Law, Class of 2024 Leading is not easy.  If it was easy, everyone would be a leader. But alas, it is not. There are various courses, classes, and workshops to teach, strengthen, and sharpen leadership skills such as communicat ..read more