Bass, Berry & Sims attorney Lillian Blackshear has been named to the 2026-2027 Leadership Tennessee class. The mission of Leadership Tennessee is to foster non-partisan dialogue on issues of state importance.
The cohort consists of representatives from 12 different Tennessee counties among diverse professional backgrounds in the business, government, education and nonprofit sectors. Over the course of 10 months, the cohort will visit all corners of the state, analyzing challenges that Tennessee faces, and will work together to identify the best solutions and opportunities. The statewide study will result in concrete plans to continue dialogue and actions addressing the most serious issues uncovered. The cohort will begin in August and run through June 2027. To learn more about Leadership Tennessee, click here.
“We take great pride in challenging our cohorts to think deeply, lead courageously and engage meaningfully in shaping Tennessee’s future,” said Dr. Alfred Degrafinreid II, president and CEO of Leadership Tennessee. “The 2026 class represents an exceptional group of leaders, chosen not only for their demonstrated accomplishments, but also for their capacity to inspire progress and create lasting impact across our state. Through this program, they will gain valuable insights, meaningful relationships and a broader perspective on Tennessee’s opportunities and challenges. We are excited to see how this class will leverage those experiences to strengthen their communities and help shape the next chapter of leadership in Tennessee.”
Lillian Blackshear
Lillian advises clients in public finance transactions, helping them navigate the complexities of state law, federal tax and federal securities issues related to deals. She represents an array of governmental entities, investment banks and commercial banks on debt issuances throughout Tennessee. She has extensive experience in the drafting and reviewing of authorizing, disclosure, sale and closing documents – the critical components of a successful public financing deal. Read more about Lillian’s practice here.