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 Nov. 15 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. 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.

While Tennessee recognizes Celebrate Pro Bono Month throughout the month of October, the American Bar Association (ABA) promotes one week of the month as a National Celebration of Pro Bono. This year’s event will take place Oct. 19-25 with the theme of "Supporting Communities." Also held during the week is ABA Giving Day, set for Oct. 23 this year. Organized by the ABA's Fund for Justice and Education, this effort raises support for programs that help others through public service, policy initiatives and education programs. Read more in a press release about the upcoming celebration.

Dates and locations for next month’s swearing in ceremonies have been updated by the Tennessee Supreme Court. The Nashville ceremony will take place Nov. 4 at the Millenium Maxwell House Grand Ballroom at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. CDT; the ceremony in Jackson will take place on Nov. 5 at the Supreme Court Building at 1 p.m. CDT. The event in Memphis will take place on Nov. 6 at City Hall at 10 a.m. CDT. There is no change to the ceremony in Knoxville, which will take place Nov. 3 at the Knoxville City/County Building Main Assembly Room at 10 a.m. EDT.

The Nashville Coalition Against Domestic Violence will host Meet Us at the Bridge on Oct. 4 at 9 a.m. CDT at the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge in downtown Nashville. The annual event is part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month and honors those lost to domestic violence and recognizes community members working to end it. Since the event began in 2005, 191 women, men and children have been remembered at the ceremony, with families of homicide victims memorializing their loved ones by dropping purple roses into the river.

Join the Tennessee Department of Revenue (DOR) on Oct. 8 at 8:30 a.m. CDT for a free webinar specifically designed for new businesses. Participants will learn about state tax obligations for new businesses, as well as other resources that may help their business. Each new business webinar, offered quarterly, covers topics such as tax registration, sales and use tax, business tax, franchise and excise taxes, and how to get help from the DOR, as well as other relevant state agencies.

The Nashville chapter of the American Constitution Society (ACS) will hold its annual U.S. Supreme Court review on Oct. 8 at the offices of Bass, Berry & Sims, 21 Platform Way S., Ste. 3500, Nashville 37203. The program will run from noon to 1 p.m. CDT and feature Georgetown University Law Center Professor Stephen Vladeck, who has argued before the court and is the author of “The Shadow Docket: How the Supreme Court Uses Stealth Rulings to Amass Power and Undermine the Republic.” In-person and virtual options are available. Lunch will be provided for in-person attendees. Learn more about the program or register here.

University of Tennessee (UT) Mock Trial is hosting its annual Mocky Top Invitational tournament Oct. 4-5. The organization will welcome 20 teams from across the country and is in need of volunteer judges. There will be two trial rounds on Saturday and two on Sunday, but volunteers can sign up for as many or as few spots as they would like. Organizers say they have a shortage of judges because the event falls during Knox County Schools' fall break. Any attorney, law student or mock trial alum is eligible to judge. Sign up to volunteer here.

The next free advice clinic for Black-owned small businesses and nonprofits is set for Sept. 18 in Nashville. The clinic, sponsored by the Arts & Business Council's Volunteer Lawyers & Professionals for the Arts and Bradley, provides assistance with business formation and corporate governance, review of contracts, and guidance in navigating local ordinances and state regulations. Prospective clients should register by Oct. 13. Attorneys should email vlpa@abcnashville.org to volunteer.

Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law (LMU Law) is hosting an AI event on Oct. 7. “Hype or Helpful: AI and The New Dangers and Opportunities It Can Create” will explore AI’s impact across the IT, legal and compliance fields. The morning session will focus on IT compliance and security issues, while the afternoon session will focus on the practical and ethical issues of using AI in the practice of law. Lunch will be provided. Those interested should register online for the sessions they plan to attend. A suggested contribution of $10 will benefit the law school’s Public Interest Fellowship. For questions, contact Associate Director of the Law Library and Assistant Professor of Law Bianca White at bianca.white@lmunet.edu.

Legal Aid of East Tennessee (LAET) will hold its annual Pro Bono Celebration at the Carnegie Hotel in Johnson City on Sept. 26 at 11:30 a.m. EDT. The event will feature inspiring stories, recognition of pro bono heroes and remarks from Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Mary Wagner. The court also will recognize the current Attorneys for Justice at the event. Purchase tickets to attend on the LAET website.