Baker Donelson has recognized the late LeAnn Mynatt with the Firm's 2019 Work-Life Warrior Award.
Ms. Mynatt, who was a shareholder in the Firm's Knoxville office, passed away on October 3, 2018, after a five-year battle with ovarian cancer.
"Throughout her career, LeAnn balanced work, life and the many causes that were important to her with incredible grace and a ceaselessly positive attitude," said Christy Tosh Crider, chair of Baker Donelson's Women's Initiative. "She faced her fight with ovarian cancer with that same spirit. We're proud to honor her memory and her tremendous contributions to our Firm and to her community."
A graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Law, Ms. Mynatt joined Baker Donelson in 1998 and developed a nationwide practice focused on environmental, safety and health issues. She was a leading resource on Occupational Safety and Health Administration matters and a preeminent environmental lawyer, and earned multiple recognitions, including being listed in Mid-South Super Lawyers and The Best Lawyers in America©.
In addition to her busy legal practice, Ms. Mynatt was actively involved in the legal community, serving for many years as the co-chair of the Knoxville Bar Association Environmental Section, and was a past chair of the Tennessee Bar Association Environmental Law section. She also contributed her energy and leadership to Baker Donelson in numerous capacities, serving as the mentor coordinator for the Firm's Women's Initiative and the recruiting chair of the Knoxville office, as well as helping to inspire the Firm's wellness initiative, BakerFit. She also founded and served as chair of the Firm's BakerGreen committee, and in 2013 was recognized with Baker Donelson's BakerGreen Award.
After being diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2013, Ms. Mynatt focused on helping to raise awareness and educate women about the disease. She frequently shared the story of her own illness, using it as a platform to generate support for other women battling ovarian cancer. She was instrumental in spearheading the now annual Comedy for a Cause event, which raises money for the University of Tennessee Medical Center's Gynecologic Cancer fund.
Baker Donelson established the Work-Life Warrior Award to honor an attorney in the Firm who demonstrates an ongoing commitment to excellence in maintaining a healthy work-life balance or has advocated on behalf of work-life balance issues for the benefit of others.