Tennessee veterans are underrepresented in the Veterans Affairs’ Department (VA) claims and appeals process, but a new three-hour CLE planned for Aug. 12 is designed to encourage new advocates to become VA accredited. The live virtual program will cover representation before the VA, claims procedures, benefits eligibility, right to appeal, disability compensation, dependency, indemnity compensation and pension benefits. Speakers include James R. Drysdale with the VA Office of General Counsel in Washington, D.C., and two VA-accredited attorneys: Rita Gibson Rayford, chief development officer for Memphis Area Legal Services, and Seth Ogden with Patterson Intellectual Property Law in Nashville.

Twitter is all the rage, both in lawyers’ personal and professional lives. But according to the “CLE Performer” Stuart Teicher, whenever lawyers choose to tweet they enter an ethical danger zone. Join Teicher on July 20 at 10 a.m. CDT to learn more about the tricky Twitter traps that can cause ethical headaches. He also will discuss ethics issues with popular platforms TikTok and Zoom. Register here.

Nobody wants to be THAT person. Learn how to avoid diversity, equity and inclusion faux pas during a live webcast with Kansas City, Missouri, attorneys Keith and Dana Cutler next Thursday beginning at 1 p.m. CDT. The Cutlers will define and explain the concepts of microaggressions, non-binary bias, implicit biases and allyship, and share ideas for increasing diversity, equity and inclusion in your work environment and the legal profession. The couple are partners in the law firm of James W. Tippin & Associates where they practice civil defense litigation, education law and small business representation.

The TBA Criminal Justice Section will host Criminal Law Basics 2021 on July 7 from 10 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. CDT. This year’s program will focus on sentencing practices and procedures, including an intro to sentencing, alternative sentencing measures and a diverse panel of judges, prosecutors and defense lawyers discussing different perspectives on these important issues. Among those panelists is Cyntoia Brown, a juvenile offender ordered to serve life in prison for murder before ultimately being granted clemency by former Gov. Bill Haslam. Register for the program here.

The TBA will hold its 2021 Elder Law Forum virtually on July 16 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. CDT. This year's program will feature information on elder abuse and undue influence, VA benefits, Medicaid updates and more. Speakers include Amelia Crotwell and Julie Price with Elder Law of East Tennessee, Barbara McGinnis with Takacs McGinnis Elder Care Law, and Bryson Eubanks with Kane and Crowell. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from seasoned experts and catch up on the latest developments in the field.

The TBA’s Business Law Section will host a two-day forum May 20-21 from 9 a.m. until 12:15 p.m. CDT both days. Join this virtual program for an examination of the critical aspects of valuation rules and guidelines in the context of M&A deals. Forum faculty includes certified valuation experts, business law professors, M&A attorneys, investment bankers and venture capital firms focusing on early-stage investments. Register now for the forum worth one dual and five general CLE credits.

The TBA’s Tax Law Section continues its Tax Law CLE Series 2021 with a session on State Tax Remedies: The Informal Conference Process on May 26 from noon to 1 p.m. CDT.  The program will cover the informal conference process, an alternative to court for taxpayers who want to challenge a proposed assessment issued by the Tennessee Department of Revenue. The department holds about 350 informal conferences a year! Renew your TBA membership and get three prepaid CLE credits to use on this program.

The TBA Immigration Law Section will hold a three-hour virtual program on June 9 looking at the population of immigrant children in Tennessee and the role of attorneys in helping these children obtain Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS). Speakers will discuss cultural, linguistic and legal barriers to working with mixed status families as well as the ethical considerations for this practice area. Speakers also will provide practical guidance on the role of the guardian ad litem, how to draft SIJS-compliant orders, and how to file petitions with the immigration agency.

The TBA Entertainment & Sports Law Section will host its annual CLE program on May 13 from 11 a.m. until 4:45 p.m. CDT. Presenters will provide up-to-date information and inside knowledge on some of the hottest topics in the entertainment and sports industries, including: catalog sales and the related financial and ethical components that come into play on both the buyer and seller sides; sports betting in Tennessee; the new age of artist development through TikTok; and the impact of cancel culture and morality clauses when it comes to holding artists accountable for their actions. The program is virtual and attendees will be able to ask questions through Zoom’s chat feature. Read more about the program and get registered.  

Davidson County civil courts will soon accept documents through e-filing. Join Joseph Day with the Davidson County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office and Rena Sanders with the Davidson County General Sessions Court for a webcast on Wednesday from noon to 1 p.m. CDT to learn how to use the system. Topics include setting up a user account, filing new cases and subsequent pleadings and reviewing case status. E-filing system will go live on May 24 so get prepared now! TBA members receive three prepaid credits and discounts on CLE programs. Not a member yet? Join now and take advantage of these benefits.