Janice M. Holder Award: Access to Justice Award

PURPOSE

The Janice M. Holder Award seeks to recognize a professional whose work in private practice, corporate practice, public service or other social service has made significant contributions in advancing the quality of justice statewide by ensuring the legal system is open and available to all. This award is intended for professionals not focused on daily legal aid advocacy. 

HISTORY

This Access to Justice Award is named in honor of retired Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Janice M. Holder who personifies the qualities that this Award recognizes.  She served as the first female chief justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court, is a passionate leader in Tennessee’s Access to Justice initiative, a courageous champion of the rights of the historically marginalized, and a dedicated servant to the people of this state. In 2008, the Tennessee Supreme Court launched its Access to Justice Initiative. Under her leadership, the court hired a full-time access to justice coordinator, created the website - www.justiceforalltn.com, and created the Access to Justice Commission. She is the 2014 winner of the William M. Leech Jr. Public Service Award and continues to support access to justice causes in her retirement.

HOW TO NOMINATE SOMEONE

The 2025 nomination cycle has closed.

PAST AWARD WINNERS

2025                  Christy Harness

2024                  Lucinda Smith

2023                 Judge Suzanne Bauknight

2022                 J. Houston Gordon and Zulfat Suara

2021                 Judge Rachel Bell

2020                 Justice Cornelia A. Clark

2019                 Deborah Taylor Tate

2018                 Former Justice Frank F. Drowota, III & Amber Floyd

2017                 Larry Bridgesmith & Cat Moon

2016                 Jim Barry & Sharon Ryan

2015                 David R. Yoder

2014                 George T. “Buck” Lewis (inaugural winner)

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