With this program, TBA seeks to expand the group of legal advocates certified to serve Tennessee veterans, who are underrepresented in the Veterans Affairs Department’s (VA) claims and appeals processes. Introduction to the Practice of Veterans Law — a live virtual event on Oct. 30 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CDT — will cover information about claims procedures, basic benefits eligibility, right to appeal, disability compensation, dependency and indemnity compensation, and pensions. Presenters will be James R. Drysdale with the VA Office of General Counsel in Washington, D.C., and VA certified lawyers Seth Ogden and Rita Gibson Rayford.

Make plans now to attend the TBA’s 2024 Health Law Primer and Health Law Forum this fall. The primer will take place Oct. 16 in downtown Nashville. Designed for those new to health practice, it will provide a general health law overview and practical tips to identify and avoid the pitfalls of real-life situations in the heavily regulated health care industry. Then on Oct. 17 and 18, the forum will take place in Franklin’s Cool Springs area. The two-day event will dig deeper into topics such as private equity, antitrust laws, digital health, cyber security, legislative and state case updates and ethics. David Higginson, executive vice president of Phoenix Children's Hospital, will give this year’s keynote address. The premier program for Tennessee health care lawyers, the forum provides all necessary CLE requirements for the year — 12 general hours and three dual hours — while providing opportunities to connect with colleagues from across the state.

Make plans now to Join Davidson County Circuit Court Judge Phillip Robinson for an informative family law CLE on Aug. 5 from 8 a.m. to noon CDT. Co-sponsored by the TBA Family Law Section, the event will focus on financial and tax planning in divorce, a Q&A session with the judge and updates from the 3rd Circuit Court. The program will take place in the Davidson County Courthouse Jury Room.

The TBA Young Lawyers Division (YLD) is launching a new CLE series designed to enhance attorney wellness by incorporating an outdoor nature component. Join the group on Oct. 23 for the first installment at Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park in Manchester. The program will offer three hours of ethics CLE and a ranger-guided hike. Register now! The Exploration series will offer future programs at other Tennessee state parks. 

Aaron Sorkin’s stage adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize winning book and Academy Award winning movie "To Kill a Mockingbird" has rekindled interest in the role lawyers play in leading their communities. This highly interactive three part series, taught by Doug Blaze and Buck Lewis — founders of the Institute for Professional Leadership at UT Law — will examine the lynching scene on the porch of the jail, the trial and the final scene on the Finch porch after an attempt on the Finch children’s lives. Sessions will take place virtually on July 31, Aug. 28 and Sept. 19. The full program qualifies for 4.5 dual hours of CLE. Register online for Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3.

Make plans now to join colleagues for a one-hour webcast "Disability Law: Changes in Past Relevant Work" on Aug. 7 from 11:30-12:30 p.m. CDT. Hear from Knoxville lawyer Emma Drozdowski Webb with Drozdowski & Rabin and Gallatin lawyer Chris George with George & George, who will discuss recent Social Security regulatory changes that positively impact claimants and recipients.

This year's Federal Practice Forum will take place virtually and offer essential and useful material for attorneys. Over the course of three sessions, speakers will cover a range of topics, including ADR in federal district court, ramifications of the Chevron decision, untangling jurisdiction in national parks and other federally regulated areas, and an overview of recent Supreme Court decisions. Join colleagues on July 26 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CDT for this live virtual event.

Join colleagues online on Aug. 15 from 11 a.m. to noon CDT for a webcast with attorney Jim Romer as he discusses the process of opening a University of Tennessee Medical Center in Jamestown. Register here and watch for more details coming soon.

There is still time to sign up for the 2024 Elder Law Forum, which will take place in person Friday, July 19, at Belmont University College of Law. This annual staple for Tennessee attorneys provides insight from top professionals while allowing attendees to meet with other lawyers in the practice area. This year’s forum features timely topics such as conservatorships, dementia, client intake, ethics, litigation in elder law and more. The event will run from from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. CDT. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Don’t miss this once-a-year opportunity to learn and earn CLE with colleagues.

The TBA’s Court Square Series will be in Chattanooga this Friday with an impressive line up of judges. The three-hour session will feature Judge Marie Williams talking about courtroom best practices, Judge Barry Steelman discussing criminal law and Rob Malin providing an update on estate planning. Other participants include Judge Michael Dumitru, Judge Kathryn Sell and Brennan Wingerter with the District Public Defenders Conference. The Court Square Series is intended to bring top speakers to local legal communities and foster relationships and collegiality among lawyers across the state.