Happy New Year! The January/February 2025 issue of the Tennessee Bar Journal is now available online, and the print version is arriving in mailboxes this week. This issue's cover story from Amye Tankersley King and Jake Arning breaks down post-conviction relief and the ins and outs of the process. Donald Caparella and Jacob Vanzin break down the Tennessee Supreme Court's clarification of waiving issues in appellate court, while Edward Phillips and Brandon Morrow caution in their "The Law at Work" column that just because an employee signs an agreement with an arbitration provision does not mean that claims are subject to the provision. In this issue's "Family Matters" column, Marlene Moses and Ansley Tillett assert that equitable does not mean equal when it comes to the division of marital estates in Tennessee. TBA President Ed Lanquist Jr. draws a parallel between the relationship of lawyers and whiskey. And we introduce our new "Closing Statements" section!

A Tennessee Bar Journal article from the November/December 2024 issue about the Corporate Transparency Act featured in today’s issue of TBJ Select — an electronic newsletter sent to TBA members twice a month as a compliment to the print publication — was published on Nov. 1, well before a federal judge in Texas issued a nationwide injunction blocking its enforcement. The injunction from U.S. District Judge Amos Mazzant earlier this month, reported in the Dec. 4 issue of TBA Today, halts enforcement of the act while a challenge from the National Federation of Independent Business and several small businesses and nonprofits makes its way through the legal process. 

The November/December 2024 issue of the Tennessee Bar Journal is now available online and arriving in mailboxes soon! This issue's cover story profiles recently retired Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Roger Page and his journey to the bench. Hillel Frankel explores how the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in artistic creations has launched major rights questions across the artistic spectrum, and Colton Adams, Leah Bennion and Eric Lyons explain that as businesses adapt to the requirements of the Corporate Transparency Act, it is critical to understand its implications and take proactive steps to ensure compliance. President Ed Lanquist Jr. underscores TBA's commitment to access to justice, Buddy Stockwell tackles anxiety in the legal profession and John Williams reviews Judge Richard M. Gergel's "Unexampled Courage." Enjoy these and other articles covering a range of legal topics.

Did you know that you can earn CLE credit for writing an article that is published in the Tennessee Bar Journal? For every 1,000 words, authors can apply for one hour of credit. Review the submission guidelines for the Journal and start writing!

The September/October issue of the Tennessee Bar Journal is now accessible online and arriving in mailboxes soon! The cover story by Willie Santana takes an in-depth look at Hispanic naming conventions and how they are not widely understood in the institutions of government, including the courts. John Floyd explores the admissibility of a denial in court, while Eddy Smith reviews several important trusts and estates developments from this year and John Day clears up a common misconception about the statute of limitations for wrongful death cases in Tennessee. Past TBA President Jason Long reviews Dawn Coppock's eighth and final edition of "Coppock on Tennessee Adoption Law," and current TBA President Ed Lanquist Jr. encourages experienced lawyers to mentor new attorneys, and for those new to the profession to be receptive to mentorship in unexpected places. Enjoy these and other articles across the legal spectrum.

The July/August 2024 issue of the Tennessee Bar Journal is now available online, and print copies will arrive in mailboxes next week! This issue includes news from TBA's Annual Convention, including the swearing in of Nashville attorney Ed Lanquist Jr. as president and his first President's Perspective column. Tom Shumate penned the cover story on the future of noncompete agreements; his colleague Katelyn Barham provides an in depth look at the legality of recording workplace conversations. Wade Davies' Crime & Punishment column features an interview with Stephen D. Crump, executive director of the Tennessee Conference of District Attorneys General, and Russell Fowler shares the story of the murder of Davidson County Chancellor Andrew Allison, who was also the TBA's third president. John Day reviews "Privileges and Protections: Tennessee and Sixth Circuit Law," by Nashville lawyers E. Todd Presnell and Kristi W. Arth. Additionally, Justice Sharon Lee and Buck Lewis introduce The Justice Frank F. Drowota Trust.

The May/June Tennessee Bar Journal, the annual Access to Justice (ATJ) focused issue, is now available online and arriving in mailboxes this week! This issue's cover story focuses on the need for fee increases for indigent representation in Tennessee courts, and highlights attorneys' testimony before two legislative committees. The TBA's Public Service Award winners are profiled, and Russell Fowler gives readers a glimpse into the pro bono-focused life of Saint Ives. Columns include John Day's digest of tort cases before the Tennessee Supreme Court and Eddy Smith's look at mortality and the relief that comes with knowing your affairs are in order. In addition, Jim Barry's final President's Perspective column looks back at a year of transitions for TBA, and The Legal Life is full of ATJ news and updates on TBA ATJ initiatives.

The March/April 2024 issue of the Tennessee Bar Journal is now available online! Laura Kidwell brings readers a timely primer on the final judgment rule — and its exceptions — in Tennessee civil actions in this issue's cover story. We're saying heartfelt goodbyes to Barry Kolar in the feature story from former Journal editor Suzanne Craig Robertson. Our thanks to all the staff, former TBA presidents and other friends who contributed to this article! Russell Fowler is back with another fascinating history lesson, this time about a former Tennessee governor who was tried for assault and defended by Francis Scott Key, and Wade Davies' Crime & Punishment column delves into the question of when to notify the Tennessee attorney general before proceeding with a claim challenging the constitutionality of a statute. You can also catch up on the TBA's grassroots advocacy efforts, especially around funding for indigent representation, staffing news, a save the date for TBA's Day on the Hill and Big Shrimp reception, and more!

The January/February issue of the Tennessee Bar Journal is now available online and arriving in mailboxes soon! This issue's cover story is on the "Big 3" of intellectual property law: Wesley Barbee, Samuel Raque and John Willis Stevens explore recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings in trademark, copyright and patent decisions. A feature story by Nashville School of Law 3L Emily Crawford focuses on the much-anticipated Blue Oval City outside Jackson and what Tennessee's eminent domain law might mean for local landowners. Eddy Smith brings us a second installment on death and taxes, covering more trusts and estates developments; Edward G. Phillips and Brandon L. Morrow ponder Tennessee's employment-at-will doctrine in light of the state Supreme Court's ruling in Smith v. BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee; President Jim Barry turns his column's focus toward retirement and shares suggestions on how lawyers may choose to spend their time post-career; and we shine the spotlight on the Tennessee State High School Mock Trial Competition and how you can get involved!

The November/December issue of the Tennessee Bar Journal is now available online and arriving in mailboxes soon! Our cover story is from Matt Sweeney and Mark Travis, breaking down what arbitration is — and what it isn't — and when to employ an arbitration clause in contract negotiations. Chuck Holliday explains how a small change in this year's updates to the Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure could provide a boost to lawyers in their efficiency of serving opposing counsel, Wade Davies wraps up five Tennessee Supreme Court cases from this year and Russell Fowler connects Charles Dickens and Tennessee Gov. Andrew Johnson. If you're interested in running for TBA office in 2024, you can read about which positions are up for election. Learn what the Young Lawyers Division has been up to, enjoy a book review and more!