Building on the success of the TBA Young Lawyers Division's popular Trial College, the TBA YLD is launching Business College, a new in-person program focused on sharpening transactional law skills. Designed for new and young lawyers — and any attorney wanting a refresher — this hands-on course covers core business law concepts, ethical considerations and emerging issues. Attendees should leave with practical insights and actionable tools they can immediately use to handle business matters with greater confidence. 

Session 1

Jack Wagster, Eden Firm PLLC, Nashville
Business Formation Fundamentals

Choosing the right business structure is one of the most important early decisions for any organization. This session provides a practical overview of the major business entity types and the mechanics of formation, helping attorneys identify structural options, avoid common pitfalls and understand the key legal formalities that matter when clients are starting or restructuring a business.

Session 2

Laura Chastain, Board of Professional Responsibility, Brentwood
Ethics for Transactional Lawyers and Ethics Updates from the Board of Professional Responsibility

This session will explore the ethical responsibilities of transactional lawyers, including managing conflicts of interest, responding when a client provides false or misleading information and navigating engagements involving services for third parties at a client's request. The session will also address other challenging ethical issues that arise in transactional practice. In addition, attendees will receive important ethics updates from the Board of Professional Responsibility.

Session 3

Claire Tuley, Baker Donelson, Chattanooga
How to Get to Closing: Deals, Documents and Averting Disasters

Your client signed the purchase agreement — now what? Turning a contract into a closed deal requires more than paperwork. This practical session on real estate and business transactions will walk through the key steps from contract to closing, including essential closing documents, county-specific variations and signature page best practices. Learn how to avoid the common mistakes that delay closings and how to handle the worst-case scenarios when they arise.

Join colleagues on Friday, April 10, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. CDT at Baker Donelson, 1600 West End Ave. in Nashville.
Parking and lunch are included. For more information and to register for the Business College, visit the TBA website.