The Bessie Smith Cultural Center will host its 2026 Juneteenth Celebration on June 19 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT at the center in Chattanooga. The community event will feature live music, African drumming performances, food trucks, children's activities, opportunities to connect with local community organizations, free museum admission and screenings of the documentary "Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom." Admission to both the event and the museum will be free throughout the day.

The ABA Judicial Division will present “Order in the Court: Civility in Action” — a 90-minute webinar on June 12. The program will be the first from the new ABA Center for Civic Engagement, Education and Rule of Law. The session, free for ABA members and offered to others for a nominal cost, will begin at 3 p.m. EDT. “Disagreeing Better” is a nonpartisan initiative designed to model and promote how lawyers, judges and legal professionals can engage in civil, informed and constructive dialogue while disagreeing on important issues. The program will feature real-world examples and a candid discussion on how everyday interactions can strengthen institutional trust. Read more about the program or register here.

The Tennessee State Museum on May 30 will premiere a new documentary about the origins of the state flag and its designer, Captain Le Roy Reeves. A graduate of Johnson City College, Reeves originally planned to become a teacher. After a brief stint, he left teaching to take the Tennessee Bar Exam and joined his father’s law practice in Johnson City. Just as Reeves was beginning his law career, he decided to join the National Guard, earning the rank of captain. Disappointed with the state’s lack of heraldry and a unifying symbol for its three Grand Divisions, Reeves began drafting designs and selecting colors for a flag that would be “distinctly Tennessee.” For two years, Reeves appealed to legislators, military officials and civic groups before the flag was adopted on April 17, 1905. Read more in a press release from the museum and view a photo of Reeves' original sketch.

The Nashville Bar Association’s Diversity Committee is joining with the Tennessee Bar Association and the Stonewall Bar Association to walk in Nashville’s Pride Parade on June 27. The parade starts at 10 a.m. and is expected to run until 1 p.m. CDT. RSVP to participate. The lineup number will posted on the NBA website closer to the event. Thank you to Husch Blackwell and Spencer Fane for sponsoring the event. For more information about the parade, including parade rules and map, visit www.nashvillepride.org.

The Tennessee Department of Revenue will host a free webinar on Tennessee tax issues for auctioneers on May 26 at 9 a.m. CDT. During the session, department staff will discuss state tax issues for auctioneers, including information about the state’s sales tax, business tax and licensing, and access to the TNTAP system. The May webinar is part of a free series the department offers to the public. Register for the webinar on the department's website.

Legal Aid of East Tennessee, Hamilton County Juvenile Court, the Chattanooga Bar Association and the TBA Young Lawyers Division are sponsoring a free Family Law Advice Clinic on June 3 from 3-5 p.m. EDT. Volunteers are needed for the event, which will be held at the Dr. Carol B. Berz Family Justice Center, 5705 Uptain Rd., Chattanooga 37411. Contact TBA YLD District Representative Mary Frances DeVoe for more information. View a flyer for more information and to register.

For more than 30 years, musicians and music lovers have gathered in Nashville to honor the memory of blues legend Otha Turner. The 32nd Annual Ode to Otha takes place on May 30 from 2–9 p.m. CDT at 1711 Sweetbriar Ave. in Nashville. The annual block party, hosted by Womble Bond Dickinson attorney and partner Bill Ramsey, also serves as a fundraiser for Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. This year’s lineup includes performances by Stacy Mitchhart, The Otha Turner Boys Fife and Drum Band, Luther Dickinson and JD Simo, Juke Skywalker, Chip Greene and Blue Mother Tupelo. Get tickets in advance here.

The Knoxville Bar Association and the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, in partnership with Legal Aid of East Tennessee (LAET), will hold a Debt Relief Clinic on June 27 to provide pro bono legal services to income-eligible consumer debtors. The clinic will begin at 9 a.m. EDT at the Knox County Public Defender's Community Law Office, 1101 Liberty St., Knoxville 37919. Bankruptcy Judge Suzanne Bauknight will present a short overview of the bankruptcy system and then volunteer lawyers will conduct initial meetings with the clients to discuss their situations and options. Those interested in helping should register online. Clients seeking advice should call 865-637-0484.

An investiture ceremony and reception for Kyle A. Hixson, who will be the newest justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court, will take place July 7 at noon EDT. The ceremony will be held at the Tennessee Theatre, 604 South Gay St., Knoxville 37902. Gov. Bill Lee will administer the oath of office, and a reception will follow. View the invitation. Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP by June 26 to TSCRSVP@TNcourts.gov. Gov. Bill Lee appointed Hixson to the high court in January. The General Assembly approved the nomination in March. He will replace retiring Justice Holly Kirby when she steps down at the end of June.

There is still time for register for TBA’s 2026 Annual Convention, set for June 10-13, at the Crowne Plaza Downtown Knoxville. The convention will feature compelling CLE programs and leadership meetings, multiple social and networking events, and will provide opportunities to connect with colleagues. The convention gets underway Wednesday and will kick off with a welcome reception that evening. Thursday will begin with the Public Service Breakfast and University of Tennessee Winston College of Law Breakfast, continue with interactive Lunch & Learn sessions, and wrap up with a reception at the Knoxville Smokies minor league baseball stadium. Friday brings the annual Lawyers Luncheon, which will include a look back at TBA President Heidi Barcus’ year in office and the swearing in of new president Charlotte Knight Griffin. See the full schedule. All events are included with full convention registration.