TBA Earns Top Honors for Communications

From left: TBA staff members Stacey Shrader Joslin and Julia Canada Wilburn with award sponsor Fastcase's Lisa Smith-Crissey

The TBA was recognized with two major awards from the National Association of Bar Executives (NABE) at the annual NABE Communications Section Workshop in Raleigh, North Carolina, in October. First, it earned a Luminary Award for “Excellence in an Authored Article” for Journal Editor Julia Canada Wilburn's profile of retired Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Sharon G. Lee’s time on the bench. “A Justice for the People,” which ran in the July/August 2023 issue of the Journal, looks at a career that took Lee from East Tennessee to the state’s highest court. The TBA also was honored with an award for its 2023 year-end CLE marketing campaign, which offered a creative appeal to lawyers to take advantage of educational opportunities in days leading up to the compliance deadline. The “What’s Your CLE Mood?” and “12 Days of Ethics” series of social media and TBA Today posts used humor and nostalgic holiday imagery to market TBA’s CLE programs. Also at the event, Wilburn spoke on a panel discussion focusing on working with journal editorial boards.

TBA Staff Attended Nashville Conflict Resolution's Mediation Luncheon

TBA staff members Lanny Brown, assistant executive director, Liz Slagle Todaro, director of access to justice, and Brooke Leeton, education & professional development coordinator, attended the Nashville Conflict Resolution Center’s 7th Annual Mediation Matters Luncheon in September. The event honored Davidson County Juvenile Court Deputy Clerk Kathy Alspaugh and former Nashville Conflict Resolution Center Executive Director Sara Figal for their contributions to the field of mediation. The event also featured a keynote speech by Davidson County Juvenile Court Judge Sheila Calloway.

File Now for YLD Board Appointments, Elections

2024-2025 YLD Board members at their fall meeting in October on Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas

The TBA Young Lawyers Division has announced the opening of the 2025-2026 leadership appointment and election filing process. Those interested in an appointed position on the division's board should review available positions and complete the online application by Feb. 28, 2025. For positions subject to election, nominating positions should be filed with YLD Secretary Ross Smith (ross.smith@bassberry.com) no later than Feb. 15. District Representatives will be elected for two-year terms and odd-numbered districts (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13) will be elected next year. A number of appointed positions also are available on the YLD Board. Visit www.tba.org/2025_YLD_Board_Appointments for additional information. Elections for any contested races will take place between March 1 and April 1 by electronic voting. The YLD is committed to being the "service arm of the bar" by providing pro bono clinics throughout the state, sponsoring the Tennessee State High School Mock Trial Competition and the Diversity Leadership Institute. It is also dedicated to serving the professional needs of young lawyers through the development of CLEs, special initiatives and networking opportunities. The TBA YLD is comprised of lawyers in their first 10 years of practice or under 36 years of age.

Disaster Response Resources: Hurricane Helene

On Sept. 26, Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida and proceeded to bring massive amounts of rain to the states of Georgia, Louisiana, South Carolina, North Carolina and Tennessee. On Sept. 30, TBA President Ed Lanquist Jr. expressed support for Tennessee attorneys and communities in the state affected by Hurricane Helene, as well as colleagues impacted in surrounding states, saying, “We are saddened by the devastation to our communities and the losses sustained by so many. Many lawyers across the southeast have been affected by the flooding and other wind damage. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected. We will be looking at ways to assist in the weeks to come.” Since then, the TBA has actively been working with partner organizations to plan disaster legal assistance efforts and eventual legal clinics, which will take place following recovery efforts. Visit www.tba.org/DisasterResponse_Helene to learn more about the legal needs following clean up efforts.

BarBuzz is Back with a New Episode

TBA's BarBuzz podcast is back with a new episode featuring TBA President Ed Lanquist Jr. Lanquist, who is serving as the 144th president of the association, sat down with Executive Director Sheree Wright to discuss his goals for his year as president, the importance of indigent representation, the potential impact of artificial intelligence on the legal field and more. Tune in to hear Lanquist’s insights and perspectives on the legal profession. BarBuzz is a monthly show that recaps legal happenings from across Tennessee, upcoming events at the bar, attorney shout outs and more. It is available on the TBA’s website or wherever you listen to podcasts.

TBA Announces 1st Ever Conference on Artificial Intelligence & the Law

The Tennessee Bar Association will hold its first ever Conference on Artificial Intelligence & the Law (TCAIL) in Nashville on Dec. 6. This unique day-long event will take place at the Tennessee Bankers Association, 211 Athens Way #100, Nashville 37228. The day will begin with an introductory session presented by TBA AI Task Force Chair A.J. Bahou, followed by sessions on AI and the substantive practice of law, including how AI impacts legal research, document generation, e-discovery and more. Two judicial panels and an ethics session will round out the day. Lunch will be provided. Members of TBA's Law Office Technology & Management Section and General, Solo & Small Firm Section are eligible for discounted registration. Visit cle.tba.org for more information and to register.

2024-2025 Committee Chairs Announced

TBA committees are actively engaged in serving the public, strengthening the profession and ensuring the association remains strong and well connected to lawyers across the state. Visit www.tba.org/committees to learn more.

ABA Resource Committee Danny Van Horn

AI Task Force A.J. Bahou

Access to Justice Committee Linda Seely, Ann Pruitt

Attorney Well Being Committee Joanna McCracken, Brigid Caldwell

CLE Committee Kortney Simmons, Teresa Luna

Diversity Committee Akram Faizer, Grace Stranch, Deborah Yeomans-Barton

Ethics & Professional Responsibility Mark Vorder-Bruegge Jr.  

Committee Government Affairs Committee Addison Russell

Leadership Law Steering Committee Kelly Street, Terica Smith, John Wilks

Mentoring Committee Wes Bryant

Probate Study Group Al Secor

Special Committee on the Future Practice of Law A.J. Bahou

Tennessee Journal Editorial Board Andrée Blumstein

Women in the Profession Committee Psonya Hackett

SAVE THE DATE

TBA Convention Set for June 2025

Mark your calendars for June 11-14, 2025, and join your colleagues at the Marriott Cool Springs in Franklin for the TBA's Annual Convention.CLE sessions, keynote speakers and more will be announced in the coming months at www.tba.org/2025_Convention. Sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting advertising@tnbar.org.

 

BAR EXAM RESULTS, Admissions Ceremonies

Bar Exam Data Shows 72% Pass Rate for July Test Takers

The Tennessee Board of Law Examiners released statistics about the state's July 2024 bar exam. According to the board, 759 individuals — 647 first time test takers and 112 repeaters — took the exam. They represent 103 different law schools and saw an overall pass rate of 72%. For first time test-takers at Tennessee law schools, Vanderbilt University Law School saw a 97% pass rate followed by Belmont University College of Law at 94.8%, the University of Tennessee College of Law at 91%, University of Memphis School of Law at 78.7%, Nashville School of Law at 70% and Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law at 64.2%. View a list of applicants who achieved a passing score at www.tba.org/BarAdmissions_Fall2024.

New Tennessee lawyers will take the oath of admission in Supreme Court ceremonies across the state conducted in Knoxville on Nov. 4, Nashville on Nov. 5, Jackson on Nov. 6 and Memphis on Nov. 7.

Write to the Journal

Letters to the editor are welcomed and considered for publication on the basis of timeliness, taste, clarity and space. They should include the author’s name, address and phone number (for verification purposes). Please send your comments to editor@tnbar.org. |||