NAFUSA board member Veronica Coleman-Davis has submitted her resignation as a member of the board of directors, class of 2013. She has decided to return to the active practice of law in the area of juvenile representation. Coleman-Davis has long been involved with children’s issues and the issues of poverty and fairness. She expects much of her work will be pro bono and will limit her ability to participate in outside activities due to the expense. She has promised to continue to be an active member of NAFUSA. She expects to see all of us in Atlanta.

The bylaws provide that the all vacancies on the board shall be filled by the directors remaining in office. On April 16, 2012, the board appointed Hal D. Hardin of Nashville, Tennessee, shown right, to fill the Coleman-Davis vacancy. Hardin served as the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee 1977-1981, appointed by President Jimmy Carter. He has also served as a Circuit Judge, the presiding trial judge in Nashville, and, for a few cases, a special judge on the Tennessee Court of Appeals. Hardin is a professor emeritus of the Nashville School of Law. He attended the University of Tennessee Law School and holds a J.D. from Vanderbilt University Law School.

Hardin was featured in the January 2012 NAFUSA newsletter for his role in the “bipartisan coup” 33 years ago in Tennessee when outgoing governor Ray Blanton issued 52 executive clemencies, including a pardon for the son of a political friend. Hardin led the effort to force Blanton out of office an install the new governor three days early. At a forum at Vanderbilt, former governor Lamar Alexander told the story of Hardin’s role. Click here to watch an excerpt from the Vanderbilt forum where Governor Alexander discusses the role of Hal Hardin.