Bennett Promoted to ATJ, Strategic Initiatives Director

Chelsea Bennett has been promoted to director of access to justice (ATJ) and strategic initiatives. Bennett has been a senior education and professional development coordinator on the CLE team since 2018. TBA Assistant Executive Director Lanny Brown said of the move, “I’m thrilled that Chelsea has accepted this role. With nearly a decade of service at TBA, her experience, creativity and dedication make her an excellent fit to lead this important work.” Bennett will move into her new role working alongside current ATJ Director Liz Slagle Todaro as Todaro transitions out of the role she has held for the last 13 years. Of her replacement, Todaro said, “Chelsea is precisely the bar professional we need at exactly the right time, as TBA advances critical ATJ initiatives and strengthens community partnerships. Her leadership and skills will help guide us through this challenging and exciting era, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to support her and TBA during this transition.” Bennett received her bachelor’s degree in sociology from The Ohio State University and her master’s degree in teaching from Belmont University.

TBA Wins Luminary Award for Indigent Representation Campaign, Communications Team Leads Panel Discussions

From left: Joslin, Lisa Smith-Crissey with vLex Fastcase (award sponsor) and Thornton.

The TBA was recognized in October with a major award from the National Association of Bar Executives (NABE) at the annual Communications Section Workshop in Boise, Idaho. The association earned a Luminary Award for Excellence in Special Projects for its Indigent Representation Education Campaign. Judges who reviewed the award submission remarked, “This campaign is an outstanding example of how bar communications can directly impact public policy and access to justice. Faced with a complex, urgent issue, the team created a comprehensive strategy that informed, engaged and mobilized members across multiple platforms. The campaign stood out for its breadth and sophistication — weekly primers, podcasts, Q&As, interviews, social media and event preparation all worked together seamlessly.” During the conference, TBA staff members Stacey Shrader Joslin and Julia Canada Wilburn served on a panel titled “Serving the Whole of Your Membership,” where Wilburn discussed efforts to support rural lawyers and Joslin highlighted TBA programming for members at all stages of their legal careers. Wilburn also moderated a panel on “Crafting a Communications Plan.” Additionally, TBA Communications Coordinator Azya Thornton led a roundtable discussion on social media strategy.

Day Installed as 76th President of American College of Trial Lawyers

Day, left, and ACTL Immediate Past President Rick Deane

The American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL) in October installed Nashville-area attorney John A. Day as its 76th president. “It is an extraordinary privilege to serve as president of the American College of Trial Lawyers,” said Day. “The College stands at the forefront of supporting an independent judiciary, ensuring access to justice and advancing the rule of law — principles that are essential to our democracy. I look forward to building on the College’s proud legacy of leadership and service to the profession.” In addition to his role as president of ACTL, Day has served as president of the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association and president of the National Board of Trial Advocacy. He is a regular contributor to the Tennessee Bar Journal with the “Day on Torts” column.

Bar Exam Data for July 2025 Test Takers

The Tennessee Board of Law Examiners in October released statistics about the state’s July 2025 bar exam. According to the board, 710 individuals — 603 first time test takers and 107 repeaters — took the exam. They represent more than 80 different law schools and saw an overall pass rate of 73%. For first time test-takers at Tennessee law schools, Belmont University College of Law saw the highest pass rate of 96.9%, followed by Vanderbilt University Law School at 92.5%, University of Tennessee Winston College of Law at 87.4%, University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law at 75%, Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law at 74.7% and Nashville School of Law at 68.8%.

Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Holly Kirby Announces Retirement

Justice Holly Kirby has announced she will retire from the Tennessee Supreme Court, effective June 30, 2026. “I’ve been privileged to work alongside my Supreme Court colleagues, the Administrative Office of the Courts, the Tennessee Bar Association and trial judges and lawyers across the state, as well as our governor and our general assembly, to advance our shared vision for Tennessee’s justice system,” Kirby said in a release. “Their dedication and hard work made all the difference. Together we’re making the judicial branch stronger.”

Kirby was appointed to the court by then Gov. Bill Haslam in 2014 and has served as chief justice for the last two years. She achieved many “firsts” in her career. At just 38 years old, she was the first woman in Tennessee to serve on the Tennessee Court of Appeals. While in private practice, she became the first female partner in the Memphis firm of Burch Porter & Johnson. And she was the first graduate of the University of Memphis to sit on the state’s high court. As chief justice, Kirby helped secure $26 million to fund indigent representation in Tennessee and establish a new commission to oversee the administration and compensation of appointed counsel. Recognizing the need to modernize the court system, she also  supported the court’s Technology Oversight Committee and helped bring stakeholders together to develop a solution to unify court system data. She also focused on increased threats to Tennessee’s judiciary, leading efforts to strengthen laws on intimidation of judicial officials, and to protect judges, their families and justice system employees.

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