Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP is pleased to announce that partner Thor Y. Urness has been elected to The Fellows of the American Bar Foundation. Election to The Fellows is evidence of professional distinction and constitutes a professional honor. Membership in The Fellows is limited to one-third of one percent of lawyers licensed to practice in the United States.
The Fellows is an honorary organization of lawyers, judges, and legal scholars whose public and private careers have demonstrated outstanding dedication to the welfare of their communities and to the highest principles of the legal profession. Fellows are elected by their peers and support the research work of the American Bar Foundation, the nation’s leading research institute for the empirical study of law.
“This is a distinct honor for Thor and we congratulate him on this achievement and recognition,” said Bradley Arant Boult Cummings Chairman Beau Grenier. “The American Bar Foundation has recognized what we as Thor’s colleagues already know of him: He is a consummate professional, a talented lawyer, trusted counsel to his clients, and dedicated to serving the Nashville community.”
Mr. Urness’ community service has focused on pro bono legal work. He serves as chair of the board of the Nashville Pro Bono Program and on the boards of the Arts and Business Council of Greater Nashville and the FiftyForward Endowment. He has served on the boards of Tennessee Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts and Senior Citizens, Inc. and as his law firm’s pro bono partner. He devotes a considerable amount of time each year to pro bono matters for indigent clients and volunteers for numerous community and religious organizations in the Nashville area.
Mr. Urness practices complex business litigation and provides related counseling for clients in Tennessee and throughout the country. He served as the first Chair of the Tennessee Bar Association’s Intellectual Property Section, Chair of the Nashville Bar Association’s Intellectual Property Committee and led the initiative for Tennessee’s adoption of the Uniform Trade Secrets Act. He holds a J.D. from Indiana University School of Law, a B.A. from Indiana University, and also studied at University College London and Concordia College.
About The Fellows of the American Bar Foundation
Established in 1955, The Fellows of the American Bar Foundation is an honorary organization of attorneys, judges, law faculty, and legal scholars who have been elected by their peers to become members of The Fellows. Members are nominated by Fellows in their jurisdiction and elected by the Board of the American Bar Foundation. The Fellows is limited to one-third of one percent of lawyers licensed to practice in each jurisdiction. The Fellows support the research of the American Bar Foundation. They have demonstrated outstanding achievements and dedication to the welfare of their communities and to the highest principles of the legal profession.