Make plans now to join colleagues from across the state at the TBA’s Annual Convention, set for June 12-15 in Memphis. The event will return to the Peabody Hotel, located in the heart of downtown Memphis with easy access to restaurants and entertainment. Programming is still being planned, but perennial favorites such as the Bench Bar program, Lawyers Lunch and joint event with the Tennessee Judicial Conference will be on the agenda. The Tennessee Lawyers Association for Women, Tennessee Alliance for Black Lawyers and Tennessee Trial Lawyers' Association also will hold meetings and events that week at the Peabody. This year’s theme — “A Bridge to the Future” — will bring compelling CLE programs focused on artificial intelligence and how this rapidly expanding technology will impact the practice of law. Watch for more information coming soon to the event webpage.

The American Bar Association (ABA) will offer a special Black History Month program on Feb. 29 at 2 p.m. CST. "The Business of Democracy" will feature special advisors to the ABA Task Force for American Democracy, former Merck CEO Kenneth Frazier, former American Express CEO Kenneth Chenault and past ABA President Paulette Brown, the first women of color to serve in that role. Topics will include corporate and social activism, the impact of the Supreme Court’s affirmative action decision on the business community, how lawyers can pursue a career path in the corporate sector, and more. Login to watch the program here.

The15th Annual Appalachian Public Interest and Environmental Law (APIEL) conference will be held Oct. 5 at the University of Tennessee College of Law. APIEL brings together lawyers, scientists, students and members of the general public to discuss environmental issues impacting Appalachia. The goal of the conference is to create a dialogue between lawyers, activists and scientists on local areas of need, and to foster engagement within the community to be forces of change in the legal realm. Conference planners are now accepting proposals for speakers and panels. Submit any recommendations by email to apiel.info@gmail.com.

The Memphis Bar Association (MBA) will host its annual memorial service on April 11, beginning at noon CDT, for members who have died over the past year. The in-person event will take place at Calvary Episcopal Church, 102 N. Second St., Memphis 38103. A reception will follow the service.

Attorney volunteers are needed for an Essential Documents for Essential Workers clinic at Belmont University’s Ministry Center on Feb. 24 from noon to 3:30 p.m. CST. At the clinic, attorney and law student volunteers will draft simple wills and powers of attorney for low income clients. Forms will be provided and no prior estate planning experience needed. To sign up to volunteer and for more information, please email Ginny Blake.

Belmont College of Law's Law Journal will present its inaugural symposium, "Drawing Back The Curtain: Discussions of Negotiations, Mediations and Alternative Dispute Resolution in the Entertainment and Sports Industries" on March 1 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. CST. The event will feature three panels of attorneys, industry professionals and professors from sports, music publishing and music recording industries. The group will discuss the increasing importance of out-of-court conversations that can profoundly influence the rights of artists and athletes regarding contractual rights, intellectual property rights, privacy rights and profitability. Attorneys can register here. See the attached flyer for more information.

It's Leap Year, so why not spend your extra day giving back to the community by volunteering with West Tennessee Legal Services (WTLS)? The group will hold a virtual Simple Wills and Power of Attorney Clinic during the day on Feb. 29 CST. All volunteers will participate virtually using the WTLS document automation software and calling clients to complete their needed documents. WTLS will handle meeting with clients to sign the documents. Sign up here.

The University of Tennessee College of Law will hold the 24th Annual Julian Blackshear Jr. Scholarship Gala on March 2 at the Knoxville Convention Center. The event will honor civil rights leader and RBJ Campbelle Jr. Award recipient Dr. Harold Middlebrook. The event also will feature special guest speaker Teresa Wynn Roseborough, executive vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary at Home Depot. The evening will begin at 5 p.m. with a reception followed by dinner at 6 p.m. EST. Individual tickets are available for $75 per person. Student tickets may be purchased for $20. Contact Ellen Cole at ecole@utk.edu with questions.

McKendree United Methodist Church in downtown Nashville will hold a free webinar on March 7 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. CST about human trafficking and its realities in Middle Tennessee. The event, designed to raise awareness about the problem of human trafficking, will be conducted via Zoom. No registration is required. The meeting link can be accessed by scanning the QR code in the attached image. Speakers include Davidson County Circuit Court Judge Lynne T. Ingram; Brenna Filburn, a community engagement specialist with AncoraTN, and McKendree pastor Stephen Handy.

Plan now to take part in the Tennessee Bar Association’s Day on the Hill on March 20. The event gives TBA members an opportunity to meet with their legislators and talk to them about issues important to the profession, including funding for indigent representation. Activities begin with a luncheon, followed by meetings with legislators in the afternoon and the annual Big Shrimp legislative reception that night. Sign up now to take part.