The spotlight has been on Chief Justice John Roberts this summer, but in this month's Tennessee Bar Journal you will see that the 17 occupants of his position have had a history of making history. Also, Taylor J. Phillips looks at how to respond to government procedures. TBA President Jackie Dixon urges you in her column to remember someone who helped you when you first started practicing law, and to do the same for a new lawyer now. Columnist Kathryn Reed Edge explains the different worries that bankers and bank lawyers have, Don Paine explains writ of error coram nobis, while Bill Haltom exposes the gaffes of news reporters who rushed to judgment when the Supreme Court went public with its recent Affordable Care Act decision. He also gives readers his secret on how to read an opinion quickly and correctly. Also in this issue, Dan W. Holbrook wraps up nearly 12 years as a TBJ columnist with information on how to manage gift tax. Holbrook passes the torch to his colleague, Knoxville lawyer Eddy R. Smith, who will begin writing the estate column this fall. Look for the August Journal in your mailbox, or read it online

More than 2,000 people now get regular updates on news from the Tennessee legal community by following the Tennessee Bar Association on Twitter. You can also watch for regular updates on the TBA's Facebook page or sign up to join the Tennessee Bar Association group on LinkedIn.

The July Tennessee Bar Journal is hot with steamy details about alimony in Tennessee and how its laws have evolved along with family dynamics. Check out the article by Amy J. Amundsen and Mary L. Wagner. Jackie Dixon outlines her initiatives as the TBA’s new president — you may be surprised to learn that Grainger County tomatoes play a role. Columnists Wade V. Davies, Don Paine and Bill Haltom cover inadvertent admissions, venue in civil actions and how William Shakespeare fared in a recent plagiarism trial. Look in your mailbox or read it online. Remember, members who are logged in may comment at the end of the electronic articles, so let us hear from you.

The Tennessee Bar Association membership renewal program for 2012-2013 is now open online. Visit the TBA Online Membership page today to make sure you don’t miss a day of TBA member services or benefits. When you renew online, you not only save time, you also save your association the cost of printing and mailing your renewal statement -- and you save the trees that would go into making all of that paper. It's quick, and it's easy! Renew now and relax; your membership will be assured for another year.

News from the Family Law Section
The 10th Edition of the Alimony Bench Book is now available from the TBA's Family Law Section. The new version, edited by the section's Alimony Committee, includes published and unpublished cases from August 2003 to December 2011. It is available for purchase in a loose-leaf format for $40 or in a three-ring binder for $50. You can  order the book from the TBA's online bookstore or by contacting the TBA at (615) 383-7421.

In this month's issue of the Tennessee Bar Journal, Scott Griswold explains recent Supreme Court rulings that affect general contractors and their liability for work done by subcontractors, while David Pitts and Kevin Reopel give you the scoop on calculating economic damages. TBA President Danny Van Horn reminds us that taking time for rest is not a bad thing — it’s okay to disconnect every now and then! Kathryn Reed Edge outines bank failures in Tennessee and Dan Holbrook takes a hard look at questionable will executions. Finally, you won’t want to miss Bill Haltom’s take on a news station’s recent depiction of a jury trial — using puppets. Read the Journal online

Some immigration issues can be handled by the general practitioner, while others need more specialized help. The stakes are high, so you need to the know the difference. Bruce E. Buchanan tells you how, in the March issue of the Tennessee Bar Journal. TBA President Danny Van Horn reminds us of the unique role and responsibility that lawyers play in our political process, while Wade Davies writes about the ins and outs of criminal investigation during a traffic stop.

The TBA’s All Access Video Network (TAAN) has a new professional development program available from Nashville attorney Rebecca McKelvey. The free program offers tips on marketing, referrals and more. It is part of a lineup that offers short videos in three major categories: professional development, advice for going solo, and basic information on practice areas. Most of the videos are five to 10 minutes long. See the full program lineup