The Tennessee Judicial Conference Foundation announced today that an anonymous donor has made the largest single gift in the history of the organization in honor and memory of the late Donald Franklin Paine, a past president of the Tennessee Bar Association.
The foundation, which offers need-based scholarships to students at each of the state’s six law schools, provides 16 grants of $1,500 each year from funds donated by judges and lawyers in Tennessee. The Paine Scholarship endowment, which will provide one $2,500 scholarship each year, is the largest single fund administered by the foundation.
Retired Judge James E. Beckner of Morristown, who serves as president of the foundation, praised the contributions Paine had made to the bench and bar during his professional life.
“Because Don Paine has been the face and voice of continuing legal education in Tennessee for over 50 years, this gift is a fitting and remarkably generous tribute to his memory,” Judge Beckner said.
The foundation created the Paine Scholarship two years ago through contributions by judges, attorneys, and friends from all over the state, many from Paine’s colleagues in the Knoxville bar.
For more information about the Tennessee Judicial Conference Foundation, please contact foundation treasurer Suzanne Keith, 1903 Division Street, Nashville, Tennessee 37203, skeith@tnaj.org.
