The Court maintains a Bench and Bar Fund to sponsor programs and events benefiting members of the bench and the bar in the administration of justice. The Fund is comprised of fees collected from attorneys seeking admission to practice before the court in specific cases (referred to as "admission pro hac vice") and a portion of the fees collected from attorneys applying for admission to the Court's bar. The Court's Bench and Bar Fund Committee reviews all requests for funding to ensure they comply with the Fund's mission. The Chief District Judge serves as the Committee Chair. Other members of the Committee include the Chief Bankruptcy Judge, Clerk of Court, Nashville Bar Associaiton President, and Sixth Circuit Libriarian.
Court Program Highlights
Todd J. Campbell / Middle District Court Scholarship
In memory of former Chief District Judge Todd J. Campbell (bio below), the Court's Bench and Bar Fund Committee authorizes the distribution of scholarship funds to six law schools in Tennessee to benefit economically disadvantaged law students from the Middle District. Since the 2008-2009 academic year, the Bench and Bar Fund has provided over $600,000.00 in scholarships.
Teachers Law School (TLS) is a crash course in civics for teachers. The goal of the program is to equip teachers with the knowledge and tools to foster an appreciation among their students for the value of the American civil and criminal legal systems. TLS is led by experienced lawyers, law professors, judges, and other members of the judicary.
Nashville Bar Association Historical CLE Seminars
Most recenlty, on November 30, 2023, the Court sponsored the Nashville Bar Association Historical Committee's CLE which explored the story behind the origin and early years of Middle Tennessee’s legal aid program.
Nashville Bar Foundation Federal Leadership Forum: Federal Courts Day
Federal Courts Day offers Nashville Bar Foundation Leadership Forum (NBFLF) nominated attorneys an opportunity to learn from an array of federal judges, prosecutors, public defenders, and civil litigators about the ins and outs of the federal bench and bar.
Dedication Ceremony for the Fred D. Thompson U.S. Courthouse and Federal Building
On October 21, 2022, the Court hosted a dedication ceremony for the new Fred D. Thompson U.S. Courthouse and Federal Building. Chief District Judge Waverly D. Crenshaw, Jr. served as the Master of Ceremonies and Historian and Pulitizer Prize-Winning Author John Meacham served as the Keynote Speaker.
Requests for Funding
Requests for funding from the Bench and Bar Fund should be sent to Clerk of Court, Lynda M. Hill, at Lynda_Hill@tnmd.uscourts.gov. Please attach a description of the project or program for which you are requesting funding. Include itemized project or program budget, date(s), anticipated speakers, expected attendance, location, and an explanation of how the project or program will benefit the Bench and Bar.