The May issue of the Tennessee Bar Journal is online today — one week early — in an effort to bring you the latest in law-related updates regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. In it you'll find ways to "work through the pandemic," with links to the TBA's pandemic resources page and results from a recent member survey about lawyers' common concerns. Read how to handle having documents witnessed and notarized, how to navigate the new paid-leave mandates, plus the options for using force majeure. Also, learn about child custody in this uncertain time, and see what some of your colleagues' home offices look like. "You will see from the articles in this edition the many steps that have been taken by, or with input from, your TBA to deal with the upheaval that COVID-19 has caused,"  Sarah Y. Sheppeard writes in this issue. "I find hope in the many things for which I am thankful, hope that we will get through this together."

If you prefer to receive your Tennessee Bar Journal and other TBA mail temporarily at your home address, that's easy to accomplish. You can update your mailing address while leaving your office information as your tba.org profile. This one-minute video will show you how to do that. For the May issue of the Journal to be delivered at the updated address, please make the change by end of the day on Sunday.

Whether you are sitting serenely surrounded by candles and relaxation music, or if you have one hand on your work computer and the other grading math homework, or if you have to mute all your Zoom meetings because the dogs are barking and the baby is crying ... or maybe it's all going perfectly and you are clicking along just fine — we want to see what it's like in your new workspace. Email a pic of yourself in your work environs to Suzanne Robertson and you might be featured in a future issue of the Tennessee Bar Journal.

If you prefer to receive your Tennessee Bar Journal and other TBA mail temporarily at your home address, that's easy to accomplish. You can update your mailing address while leaving your office information as your tba.org profile. This one-minute video will show you how to do that. For the May issue of the Journal to be delivered at the updated address, please make the change by noon central time this Friday.

Your print copy of the April Tennessee Bar Journal is probably at your office, but in case you are not, it's also online and ready for you. This issue focuses on Access to Justice, leading with an account by lawyer Katie Blankenship as she volunteered at an ICE detention center in Georgia. This may not be your strength or area of interest, but there are many ways to get involved to help people with pro bono services, and this issue will help you figure that out. The Tennessee Access to Justice Commission gives an update and the Public Service Award honorees — Bill Coley, Ian Hennessey, Tim Hughes and Vanessa Zapata — are profiled, as well as those honored by the Corporate Counsel Pro Bono Initiative, HCA Healthcare and Bass, Berry & Sims. TBA President Sarah Y. Sheppeard writes about the devastation of March's tornadoes, how bar groups jumped in to start helping in recovery — and the need for lawyers to help. That need continues, and she offers easy ways to get involved.

In addition to the cover story about pandemic disease and Tennessee law, the March issue includes a feature by Memphis lawyer Miles Mason about dual roles in custody litigation, exploring ethical conflicts that may arise with therapeutic and forensic roles. TBA President Sarah Sheppeard reflects over the accomplishments of the first half of the year and Nashville lawyer Jim Thomas reviews the book I Swear: The Meaning of an Oath. Columnist Wade Davies writes about when an otherwise minor infraction expands when there are more than one of them. Columnist Russell Fowler explores Tennessee’s role in instituting the country’s income tax. Read the entire issue.

"It turns out that we actually have an ethical duty to be reasonably prepared for the worst," TBA President Sarah Y. Sheppeard writes in her January Tennessee Bar Journal column. She helps you think through and plan for any disasters that may befall you or your practice, with information about where to get help. Also read about a new law about employee classification that went into effect yesterday. Sandra S. Benson and Dr. Timothy R. Koski give you details you'll need. You'll also find a preview to the TBA's upcoming, newly refreshed website, which will be filled with more features to make your practice go even more smoothly. And have you already given thought to the new year and its built-in hindsight? That's right, it's 20/20! Read more in this month's Spark! column -- and read the whole issue here.

Hemp and marijuana smell exactly the same, which is causing some confusion and hardship when it comes to detecting the illegal substance using "plain smell." Authors Cynthia Sherwood, Davis Griffin and Alex Mills explain it all in the December Tennessee Bar Journal. This issue also has an excellent primer for new lawyers (and any who may need a refresher) by Billy Leslie on how to keep your law license up to date and in good standing. TBA President Sarah Sheppeard writes about a recent visit to the U.S. Supreme Court; Dan Holbrook asks if Tennessee's Rule Against Perpetuities is unconstitutional; plus Gary Shockley reviews the book Say Nothing. This issue is the last one that will contain long-time columnist and former TBA president Katie Edge's column. She is retiring and moving to Texas to begin a new, full-time career as grandmother extraordinaire to triplets. So after 10 years of "Bank On It," we say a reluctant goodbye.

"We are human beings in a difficult job," TBA President Sarah Y. Sheppeard writes in her November Tennessee Bar Journal column. She recounts a time early in her career when an older colleague took his own life — and she now urges lawyers to seek help through the Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program or elsewhere. Also in this issue, Scott Pilkinton writes in the cover article about how to avoid probate potholes. We also look at the Music Modernization Act, with Monique Brown, a recent graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Law, writing about how the law has addressed and incorporated new technology and industry trends into antiquated copyright laws. Read these articles and more in this month's issue of the Journal.

The October TBJ has all the details about the Tennessee Bar Association’s new Group Health Insurance Plan, including a word from TBA President Sarah Y. Sheppeard. Also read about how direct primary care legislation in the state can influence public health and medical economics. October is Celebrate Pro Bono Month -- we have the information on what’s going on, plus a look at historic figure William Tatham and his pro bono work. Columns this month include elder law and employment law: help with recognizing and addressing dementia in your clients and whistleblower claims in Tennessee.