Charles K. Grant of Baker Donelson has been named a recipient of the Napier-Looby Bar Foundation's 2017 J. C. Napier Trailblazer Award.
The award is presented in recognition of outstanding professional achievement, dedication to the legal profession and commitment to the organized bar. Mr. Grant received the award at the Napier-Looby Bar Foundation's 13th Annual Barrister Banquet & Award Program held in Nashville on February 23.
A shareholder in Baker Donelson's Nashville office and a member of the Firm's board of directors, Mr. Grant served as president of the Nashville Bar Association in 2014. He was the first African-American to serve as president in the association's 182-year history. He is a past president and former member of the board of directors of the Napier-Looby Bar Association and is a fellow of the Nashville and Tennessee Bar Foundations.
Mr. Grant has received numerous recognitions for his professional achievements and commitment to pro bono service, including the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee Bruce Kramer Cooperating Attorney Award in 2015, the Napier-Looby Bar Foundation's 2013 A.A. Birch Outstanding Public Service Award, Baker Donelson's 2015 CEO Circle Award for Public Service, the Tennessee Bar Association Harris Gilbert Pro Bono Award in 2009, the Baker Donelson Firm-wide Pro Bono Attorney of the Year Award in 2008, the Tennessee State Conference NAACP President's Freedom Award in 2006 and the Nashville Bar Association Pro Bono Program Volunteer of the Year Award in 2004.
Mr. Grant represents clients in complex employment litigation, including collective actions under the Fair Labor Standards Act, as well as business litigation matters. He has been recognized in Mid-South Super Lawyers since 2006 in the area of Employment Litigation Defense and has been listed in Best Lawyers in America® since 2014 in the areas of Employment Law – Management, and Litigation – Labor and Employment. He currently serves on the Tennessee Supreme Court Disciplinary Hearing Committee, District V, and is a Master for the Harry Phillips American Inns of Court. He also serves on the Board of Directors and as first vice president of the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands.