Frank Winston Fellows
Winston Law’s most prestigious scholarship program—the Frank Winston Fellows—honors the memory of the law school’s namesake and distinguished alumnus Frank Winston (’52). Up to six Winston Fellows are selected annually, with each receiving full tuition, fees, a generous yearly stipend, financial support for summer internships, and extensive opportunities for academic enrichment and professional development. There are two cohorts of Winston Fellows:
- Frank Winston Public Interest Law Fellows
- Frank Winston Business Law Fellows
As the names suggest, these fellowships are awarded to students committed to pursuing careers in public interest or business law, both broadly defined, and those selected are expected to work in their chosen field for at least three years following graduation.
Frank Winston Public Interest Law Fellows
This fellowship is for students who plan to devote their professional careers to public interest law. “Public interest law” encompasses a diverse array of professional paths, such as legal and/or policy work for legal aid or other community-based legal organizations; legal work for the government at the national, state, or local levels; prosecution or public defense; representation of non-profit entities that serve the public interest; Judge Advocate General’s Corps or similar military-related legal work; and serving in legal roles generally devoted to broadening access to justice.
Frank Winston Business Law Fellows
This fellowship is for students who plan to devote their professional careers to business law. The term “business law” is broadly defined to include, among other things, representing businesses in transactional matters, commercial or securities litigation, antitrust, intellectual property matters, or entrepreneurial ventures. It also encompasses working as in-house counsel for a corporation or other business entity, including nonprofit organizations.
To learn about the Winston College of Law’s and Winston Fellows’ namesake—Frank Winston—and his longtime client and friend Bill Gatton, please review the Frank Winston and Bill Gatton page.
Winston Law has prepared lawyers for careers in business law and public interest law for generations.
John Brock (‘96) is the founder and Managing Partner of Brock Shipe Klenk PLC, a full-service commercial law firm representing businesses nationally and internationally. In his practice, Brock represents businesses and business owners in transactions of all types. He wears multiple hats, sometimes serving as outside counsel advising on day-to-day business operations and other times representing clients in significant transactions, such as the sale of their company. Brock recalls that he was one of the first students to complete the Concentration in Business Transactions, which “prepared me well for a career in business law.” The education I received is still the foundation of my practice.”
Immediately following graduation, Savannah Quintero ('18) put her new skills to work as a staff attorney at Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands. She currently serves there as Reentry Project Director where she provides high-quality, civil legal services to people that have a criminal history. "Every day, I get to remove barriers so that my clients can move forward.” Quintero describes the Winston Law Legal Clinic as a “magical place” where she spoke with her first clients and "developed as a compassionate and empathetic lawyer.” She concludes, “I was taught, deliberately and methodically, how to listen well. In the clinic, I learned how to meet my clients wherever they are, and to zealously represent their interests.”
In Luke P. Ihnen's ('16) role as an Assistant Federal Defender, he represents death-sentenced prisoners in federal habeas corpus proceedings, federal appeals, ancillary civil litigation, clemency, and end-stage litigation. Ihnen says, “I love having a career that allows me to utilize my legal skills and education for the betterment of others. My clients are the best part of my job, and telling their stories is both important and impactful.”
Tatiyana Lawis (‘24) practices in the intellectual property group at Bass, Berry & Sims in Nashville, where her practice includes trademark counseling and protection, as well as work in mergers and acquisitions, technology transactions, and advising clients on compliance with domestic and international privacy regulations. In law school, Lewis served as Director of the Knox Area Rescue Ministries Project for UT Pro Bono (coordinating legal assistance for Knoxville’s homeless community) and as a Student Attorney in the Domestic Violence Clinic.
Successful candidates will embody the qualities that made Mr. Winston an extraordinary lawyer and person. In addition to outstanding records of academic and/or professional achievement, Winston Fellows must have demonstrated leadership potential, strong moral character, integrity, humility, resilience, and selflessness. They must also evince a passion for justice and a powerful desire to use their legal education to make a meaningful difference in society.
The application deadline is January 15, 2026. Find additional details about the application and selection process. Please review the information tabs at the top of this page for additional details.
Please email any questions to Paula Schaefer, interim director of the Winston fellowship program, at paula.schaefer@tennessee.edu. Include “Winston Fellows” in the subject line of your message.
Winston Law’s most prestigious scholarship program—the Frank Winston Fellows—honors the memory of the law school’s namesake and distinguished alumnus Frank Winston (’52). Up to six Winston Fellows are selected annually, with each receiving full tuition, fees, a generous yearly stipend, financial support for summer internships, and extensive opportunities for academic enrichment and professional development. There are two cohorts of Winston Fellows:
- Frank Winston Public Interest Law Fellows
- Frank Winston Business Law Fellows
As the names suggest, these fellowships are awarded to students committed to pursuing careers in public interest or business law, both broadly defined, and those selected are expected to work in their chosen field for at least three years following graduation.
Frank Winston Public Interest Law Fellows
This fellowship is for students who plan to devote their professional careers to public interest law. “Public interest law” encompasses a diverse array of professional paths, such as legal and/or policy work for legal aid or other community-based legal organizations; legal work for the government at the national, state, or local levels; prosecution or public defense; representation of non-profit entities that serve the public interest; Judge Advocate General’s Corps or similar military-related legal work; and serving in legal roles generally devoted to broadening access to justice.
Frank Winston Business Law Fellows
This fellowship is for students who plan to devote their professional careers to business law. The term “business law” is broadly defined to include, among other things, representing businesses in transactional matters, commercial or securities litigation, antitrust, intellectual property matters, or entrepreneurial ventures. It also encompasses working as in-house counsel for a corporation or other business entity, including nonprofit organizations.
To learn about the Winston College of Law’s and Winston Fellows’ namesake—Frank Winston—and his longtime client and friend Bill Gatton, please review the Frank Winston and Bill Gatton page.
Winston Law has prepared lawyers for careers in business law and public interest law for generations.
John Brock (‘96) is the founder and Managing Partner of Brock Shipe Klenk PLC, a full-service commercial law firm representing businesses nationally and internationally. In his practice, Brock represents businesses and business owners in transactions of all types. He wears multiple hats, sometimes serving as outside counsel advising on day-to-day business operations and other times representing clients in significant transactions, such as the sale of their company. Brock recalls that he was one of the first students to complete the Concentration in Business Transactions, which “prepared me well for a career in business law.” The education I received is still the foundation of my practice.”
Immediately following graduation, Savannah Quintero ('18) put her new skills to work as a staff attorney at Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands. She currently serves there as Reentry Project Director where she provides high-quality, civil legal services to people that have a criminal history. "Every day, I get to remove barriers so that my clients can move forward.” Quintero describes the Winston Law Legal Clinic as a “magical place” where she spoke with her first clients and "developed as a compassionate and empathetic lawyer.” She concludes, “I was taught, deliberately and methodically, how to listen well. In the clinic, I learned how to meet my clients wherever they are, and to zealously represent their interests.”
In Luke P. Ihnen's ('16) role as an Assistant Federal Defender, he represents death-sentenced prisoners in federal habeas corpus proceedings, federal appeals, ancillary civil litigation, clemency, and end-stage litigation. Ihnen says, “I love having a career that allows me to utilize my legal skills and education for the betterment of others. My clients are the best part of my job, and telling their stories is both important and impactful.”
Tatiyana Lawis (‘24) practices in the intellectual property group at Bass, Berry & Sims in Nashville, where her practice includes trademark counseling and protection, as well as work in mergers and acquisitions, technology transactions, and advising clients on compliance with domestic and international privacy regulations. In law school, Lewis served as Director of the Knox Area Rescue Ministries Project for UT Pro Bono (coordinating legal assistance for Knoxville’s homeless community) and as a Student Attorney in the Domestic Violence Clinic.
Successful candidates will embody the qualities that made Mr. Winston an extraordinary lawyer and person. In addition to outstanding records of academic and/or professional achievement, Winston Fellows must have demonstrated leadership potential, strong moral character, integrity, humility, resilience, and selflessness. They must also evince a passion for justice and a powerful desire to use their legal education to make a meaningful difference in society.
The application deadline is January 15, 2026. Find additional details about the application and selection process. Please review the information tabs at the top of this page for additional details.
Please email any questions to Paula Schaefer, interim director of the Winston Fellowship program, at paula.schaefer@tennessee.edu. Include “Winston Fellows” in the subject line of your message.