October 4, 2012 at the River Hills Club
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Posted (none)On October 4, 2012, the Tennis Tournament Committee hosted the Battle of the Barristers Tennis Tournament at River Hills Club in Jackson. Participants enjoyed an afternoon filled with good food, fabulous weather, and smashing tennis. Players participated in a round robin mixed-up doubles format. At the conclusion of eight rounds of play, scores were tallied and four participants had tied for the lead. Will Ballard, Jay Jacobus, Whit Rayner, and Quentin Whitwell played in a heated play-off which resulted in Will Ballard and Whit Rayner being 'crowned' champions. They donned their winning barrister wigs with pride. Not to be outdone, David Maron and Wes Webb were named court jesters for the event having proven themselves the most entertaining players on the court. They were the recipients of gift certificates for tennis lessons with River Hills' Director of Tennis and Head Tennis Professional, Dave Randall. Door prize winners were Venecca Green Mason, David Clark, Will Ballard, Quentin Whitwell, Wes Webb, and Elizabeth Maron.
Event sponsors included BKD CPAs & Advisors; Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC; Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi; Biggs, Ingram, Solop & Carlson PLLC; Carroll Warren & Parker; Forman Perry Watkins Krutz & Tardy LLP; Jones Walker, Law Offices of Richard C. Roberts, III; and, Williford, McAllister & Jacobus, LLP. Contributors were Kinkade's Fine Clothing, Massage Envy Spa, USTA Southern Mississippi, and Taylor Reporting. Tennis Tournament Committee members are Jay Jacobus, Jennifer Johnson, Kristi Johnson, Stephanie Jones, Doug Morgan, Ryan Perkins, and Whit Rayner.
The Tournament raised $1000.00 for the Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project (MVLP), a 501(c) (3) non-profit legal aid organization. Formed in 1982, MVLP is the nation's first formal association of a state bar association, the Mississippi Bar Association, and the Legal Services Corporation (LSC). MVLP's long-standing relationship with the Mississippi Bar and the LSC has resulted in a professional and productive partnership, with attorneys unselfishly offering their time and talents to serve Mississippi's poor and less fortunate. Funding for the program is provided by a variety of sources that include grants and private donations.
In recent years, MVLP has experienced substantial cuts to its funding. The cuts have affected MVLP's programmatic offerings and the number of clients that it can assist. More cuts are expected in the coming year, which has made developing relationships with legal organizations, like the CABA, very important. "MVLP's partnership with the Capital Area Bar Association has meant so much to our staff, our volunteers and our clients. The support we receive from the annual Battle of the Barristers Tennis Tournament goes such a long way toward helping us fulfill our mission of providing high quality legal assistance to low-income Mississippians," said MVLP General Counsel Tiffany M. Graves.
