TBA members and guests traveled to Dublin and Belfast, Ireland, May 7 through today for an international CLE series. Seven hours of CLE topics included an introduction to the Irish legal and constitutional system, European Union (EU) law, fundamentals of civil and criminal law, as well as more specialized topics to include immigration law, human rights, international law, environmental law, brand rights and intellectual property. The program provided participants with a deeper understanding of contemporary Irish law and business practices, international law and economic relations. The group visited the Law Society of Ireland and the Bar of Ireland, as well as the Four Courts, and learned about the legal structure of the organizations while networking with key leadership and associate members. Highlights in addition to the educational programs included visits to the Dublin’s National Museum of Ireland, Christ Church Cathedral, EPIC Museum, Guinness Storehouse Experience, Trinity College and Library, Game of Thrones Studio Tour and Titanic Belfast Museum. Excursions outside of the cities included Howth and Glendalough national parks with some members visiting Western Ireland and the Cliffs of Moher. TBA President Jim Barry said, “This has been the trip of a lifetime! Excellent food, hotels and CLE! The best part is the incredible friendships that developed with our fellow TBA travelers — memories never to be forgotten.” See pictures from the trip. Interested in learning more about TBA's next CLE abroad destination? Complete this form to receive updates.

This year's Federal Practice Forum, presented virtually via Zoom, will offer three sessions beginning at 9 a.m. CDT on July 26. Topics will include ADR in federal district court, ramifications of the Chevron decision, and an update on Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act cases in Tennessee. Be sure to sign up by 8:15 a.m. the morning of the program to receive the link to watch by email.

The TBA’s Court Square Series is back with stops planned in Cookeville and Chattanooga this spring and summer. The Cookeville program will take place the afternoon of May 30 and feature a panel of three judges, Beverly Sharpe with the Board of Professional Responsibility and a legislative update with Nathan Ridley. The Chattanooga program will take place June 7 and feature Judge Marie Williams talking about courtroom best practices, Judge Barry Steelman discussing criminal law and Rob Malin providing an update on estate planning. The Court Square Series is intended to bring top speakers to local legal communities and foster relationships and collegiality among lawyers across the state.

The TBA’s 2024 Litigation Forum is a live virtual event this week on May 16. Programming will include a session covering Tennessee summary judgement, evidentiary privilege and the ethical implications of artificial intelligence from the perspective of the Board of Professional Responsibility. Speakers include Chattanooga attorney David Nagle with Legal Aid of East Tennessee, Nashville attorney Todd Presnell with Bradley Arant Boult Cummings and Tiffany Tant-Shafer with the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility. The program will run from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CDT.

The TBA’s 2024 Litigation Forum is a live virtual event next week on May 16. Programming will include a session covering Tennessee summary judgement, evidentiary privilege and the ethical implications of artificial intelligence from the perspective of the Board of Professional Responsibility. Speakers include Chattanooga attorney David Nagle with Legal Aid of East Tennessee, Nashville attorney Todd Presnell with Bradley Arant Boult Cummings and Tiffany Tant-Shafer with the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility. The program will run from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CDT.

The 2024 Elder Law Forum will take place in-person July 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. CDT at the 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 much more. 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 is back with stops planned in Jackson, Cookeville and Chattanooga this spring and summer. The Jackson program will take place the afternoon of May 22 and feature Judge Christy Little discussing courtroom best practices, John Day covering law office management and ethics and Nancy Choate talking about estate planning. The Cookeville program will take place the afternoon of May 30 and feature a panel of three judges, Beverly Sharpe with the Board of Professional Responsibility and a legislative update with Nathan Ridley. The Chattanooga program will take place June 7 and feature Judge Marie Williams talking about courtroom best practices, Judge Barry Steelman discussing criminal law and Rob Malin providing an update on estate planning. The Court Square Series is intended to bring top speakers to local legal communities and foster relationships and collegiality among lawyers across the state.

The TBA’s International Law Section will host its annual forum on May 17 in Nashville. Topics include how to use the U.S. Federal Trade Office Market Diversification Tool, an introduction to practicing international law, and a discussion with Brie Knox, director of U.S. Commercial Service Tennessee (a division of the International Trade Administration within the U.S. Department of Commerce). Other speakers include Chattanooga lawyer Terry Olsen with the Olsen Law Firm, Nashville lawyer Michael Goode with Lewis Thomason and Hendersonville lawyer George Phillips with Phillips | Ralston. Learn more here.

Make plans now to join colleagues on May 10 for the inaugural TBA YLD Trial College. The program, which will be held at  Belmont University College of Law, will cover a range of litigation topics, including getting prepared for trial, putting together a trial notebook, prepping witnesses, conducting Voir Dire, planning for and presenting opening statements and more. The day will start at 8 a.m. CDT with registration, followed by programming from 8:30 a.m to 4:45 p.m. at the Randall and Sadie Baskin Center, 1901 15th Ave. S., Nashville 37212.

Presented by the Women in the Profession Committee, this webcast — the third in a series of wellness programs — will cover mental health and substance abuse issues among women in the legal profession and the help they received. Join colleagues May 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CDT to learn more.