ALFA International Awards
Nathan Fishbach Attorney of the Year Award
ALFA International is proud to honor Nathan Fishbach, a former member of the ALFA International Board of Directors and the Marketing Committee, through the annual ALFA International Nathan Fishbach Attorney of the Year Award. Nathan Fishbach exemplified the best attributes of an attorney, ALFA International colleague and friend. Each year when the award is presented, the network pauses a moment to remember Nathan’s incredible contributions to ALFA International and the legal profession. We are proud to honor him annually with this award.
Since 2009, the ALFA International Nathan Fishbach Attorney of the Year Award has been presented at the Annual Business Meeting to a member who has made outstanding contributions to the association. In addition, the ALFA International Firm of the Year Award is also presented to the firm that has made an incredible impact on the network over the year. The first recipient of the Attorney of the Year Award and its namesake, Nathan Fishbach, a former member of the ALFA International Board of Directors and the Marketing Committee, through the ALFA International Nathan Fishbach Attorney of the Year Award. Nathan Fishbach exemplified the best attributes of an attorney, ALFA International colleague and friend. Each year when the award is presented, the network pauses a moment to remember Nathan’s incredible contributions to ALFA International and the legal profession. We are proud to honor him annually with this award.
The 2024 recipient, Tim Peeples, continues Nathan’s legacy by not only being a respected attorney but also a pillar of support and a vibrant force within the ALFAI network. Tim, whose practice primarily focuses on labor and employment, business litigation, hospitality and construction, is very deserving of this year’s honor. He serves as the Labor & Employment Practice Group Vice-Chair and is the group’s 2025 Seminar Program Chair. Tim also actively engages with many other ALFAI practice groups, highlighting his dedication to enhancing the ALFAI network. Tim also provides his leadership as a member of ALFAI’s Marketing and North American Membership Committees, where his insights help shape ALFAI’s future. But what truly sets Tim apart is his unwavering willingness to lend a hand to his colleagues and nurturing the next generation of legal professionals as they advance in their careers and rise through the ALFAI network. As an organization, ALFAI would not be what it is today without dedicated attorneys like Nathan and Tim.
2024 – Tim Peeples
2023 – Tamara Nelson
2022 – Joel Hlavaty
2021 – Sheila Kerwin
2020 – John Tarpley
2019 – Elaine Moss
2018 – Gero Schneider
2017 – Chris Page
2016 – Melanie Cheairs
2015 – Richard Krieg
2014 – Patrick Michael
2013 – Mark Golman
2012 – Lee MacPhee
2011 – George Fagan
2010 – Laurie Watt
2009 – Nathan Fishbach
The Firm of the Year Award
The 2024 law firm recipient is Lewis Thomason, with ALFAI offices in Knoxville and Nashville, Tennessee. Lewis Thomason has been a loyal and committed member of ALFAI since joining the network in 1992. The firm’s attorneys are involved in most of ALFAI’s active practice groups, including Business Litigation, Construction, Corporate Transactions, Future Leaders, Gig Economy, Hospitality & Retail, Insurance, Labor & Employment, Product Liability & Complex Torts, Transportation and Women’s Initiative.
The firm has played an integral role in ALFAI’s leadership for many years. Ben Jones is a recently elected member of ALFAI’s Board of Directors and the current Hospitality & Retail Practice Group Chair. In addition, Mary Beth White holds the position of Transportation Practice Group Chair.
The firm’s attorneys also serve in leadership roles in ALFAI’s ancillary groups and committees. Lisa Cole is the current Chair of ALFAI’s Managing Partners Forum and is a Strategic Planning Executive Committee Member. John Tarpley serves on the International Client Seminar Screening Committee and the North American Membership Committee. In addition, Tania Freeman, Lewis Thomason’s Business Development Officer, is currently Vice-Chair of ALFAI’s Marketing Managers Forum and will take over as Chair in January 2025. Furthermore, the firm’s attorneys frequently speak at ALFAI events.
ALFAI congratulates Lewis Thomason and looks forward to the firm’s continued success in ALFAI.
2024 – Lewis Thomason
2023 – Tiefenbacher
2022 – Plunkett Cooney
2021 – Morrison Mahoney LLP
2020 – Lewis Wagner, LLP
2019 – McCandlish Holton
2018 – Frantz Ward LLP
2017 – Leake & Andersson, L.L.P.
2016 – Carter Conboy
2015 – Charles Russell Speechlys
2014 – Young Moore and Henderson P.A.
2013 – Hall & Evans, LLC
2012 – Cowell Clarke and Cornwalls
2011 – Johnson & Bell, Ltd.
2010 – Haight Brown & Bonesteel LLP
2009 – Nilan Johnson Lewis PA