Legal technology and TBA member advantage company Clio has announced it will heighten its focus and investment on technology for mid-sized law firms of more than 20 employees, according to the legal blog LawSites. Clio states that more than 1,000 mid-sized law firms already subscribe to its services, so it will more heavily invest in products tailored to that market. In conjunction with the announcement, Clio released its 2024 Legal Trends for Mid-Sized Firms report, which finds a significant discrepancy in the adoption of cloud-based legal practice management software between mid-sized and smaller law firms, signaling a potential gap in artificial intelligence readiness and technological integration across the mid-sized segment.

Plan now to take part in the Tennessee Bar Association’s Day on the Hill on March 20. The event gives TBA members an opportunity to meet with their legislators and talk to them about issues important to the profession, including funding for indigent representation. Activities begin with a luncheon, followed by meetings with legislators in the afternoon and the annual Big Shrimp legislative reception that night. Sign up now to take part.

Tennessee Bar Association members now have access to discounted pet insurance through Spot, “America's Most Loved Pet Insurance.” Receive up to 90% cash back on eligible veterinary bills for accidents, illnesses and more. Preventative care coverage also is available. There are no restrictions on providers so policy holders can visit any vet in the U.S. or Canada. Participants also have access to a 24/7 pet health helpline at no additional cost. Get your quick, easy and free quote today. And be sure to check out all of TBA's insurance programs, including preferred providers for malpractice insurance. Ruby belongs to TBA Human Resources & Administrative Coordinator Tanja Trezise. She is an English Setter who loves to run and chase squirrels, and her favorite food is cheese. Watch for more introductions to staff pets as we roll out this new member benefit!

The Tennessee legislature is back in session, and lawmakers are focused on your issues. The Tennessee Supreme Court recently announced its intention to ask the governor and General Assembly to increase compensation for court-appointed attorneys in the juvenile and criminal courts. Court-appointed attorneys, who represent the indigent, including children, are grossly underpaid in Tennessee. Because of this, fewer and fewer attorneys can afford to take cases representing the indigent, resulting in a crisis in our legal system. It’s time for Tennessee attorneys to convey to their elected legislators how serious this problem is and the toll it is taking on the entire judicial system. Learn more from the TBA Government Affairs team and then reach out to your legislators and ask them to support increased funding for indigent representation (find your Tennessee legislators here). Also, please respond to this survey and join TBA’s Grassroots Advocacy efforts to receive action alerts as relevant policy issues arise, including indigent representation. Finally, please sign up to join us for TBA Day on the Hill on March 20.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a hot topic in law, and the TBA is creating a new AI Task Force to educate and provide guidance to Tennessee lawyers on issues surrounding this technology. Some of the goals of the task force will be to help inform lawyers about the proper use of AI in the substantive practice of law, the potential risks of using AI, and the beneficial use of AI in the administrative practice of law. The group also will review AI tools and contribute new information to the TBA's online practice management resources. If you are interested in participating in this new task force, please email TBA Coordinator Chelsea Bennett before Jan. 31.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a hot topic in law, and the TBA is creating a new AI Task Force to educate and provide guidance to Tennessee lawyers on issues surrounding this technology. Some of the goals of the task force will be to help inform lawyers about the proper use of AI in the substantive practice of law, the potential risks of using AI, and the beneficial use of AI in the administrative practice of law. The group also will review AI tools and contribute new information to the TBA's online practice management resources. If you are interested in participating in this new task force, please email TBA Coordinator Chelsea Bennett before Jan. 31.

Today is your last chance to lock in savings with the TBA's group health insurance. The TBA BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee plan is guaranteed issue, and has no health questions and no pre-existing condition exclusions. And new this year, plans include the added benefit of a $15,000 life insurance policy for each insured. Don’t delay, sign up today!

Learn what 150,000 legal professionals already know: LawPay is the superior solution for secure, streamlined legal payment processing. Why trust your hard-earned dollars to anyone other than the leader in legal payments? LawPay complies with IOLTA guidelines, is vetted by the ABA, and can get you paid 32% faster, saving you three billable hours daily. TBA members who sign up with LawPay this month will get up to $500 in processing fees covered through January 2024.

Don't miss the opportunity to lock in savings with the TBA's group health insurance. The deadline to enroll is Friday. The TBA BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee plan is guaranteed issue, and has no health questions and no pre-existing condition exclusions. And new this year, plans include the added benefit of a $15,000 life insurance policy for each insured. Don’t delay, get a quote today!

TBA member benefit partner Fastcase, now operating as vLex Fastcase, has rolled out a new citation tool. According to the company, the new service, known as Cert, brings together “more than 100 years of collective editorial expertise with intelligent technology” to ensure lawyers can “identify cited cases with confidence, ensuring they are indeed good law.” Lawyers who utilize Fastcase through their TBA membership can start accessing Cert for federal circuit court and U.S. Supreme Court cases. State cases are limited to Alabama, Florida and Georgia supreme court and district court of appeal decisions, but additional state courts will be added eventually. Sign in to Fastcase through the TBA to start using Cert.