Six leaders of the Asian American legal community will discuss the legacy of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the American justice system at a virtual program hosted by the American Bar Association Judicial Division. A Journey Through America’s Silent History: A Discussion Highlighting Asian American and Pacific Islanders’ Contributions to the Advancement of America Amid Exclusion and Invisibility” will be held May 21 at 11 a.m. CDT. Panelists will discuss legal issues arising from Asian American life in the United States, including the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II and the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Korematsu v. United States. Register here.

The 2021 TBA Annual Convention, presented this year as both an in-person and virtual event, offers eight hours of CLE credit. One of the key offerings will be the annual Bench/Bar Program, which will include three distinct presentations. The first will focus on neurodiversity in the courtroom. Neurodiversity recognizes that those who participate in the legal system bring differently wired brains to the process. To accommodate the different ways people process information, courts, judges and advocates should understand and appreciation these differences. Speakers for this presentation include John Coke, assistant general counsel with the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts; New York attorney Elizabeth Kelly, who focuses on representing individuals with mental disabilities; Florida attorney and author Haley Moss, who speaks and writes about her personal experience with Autism; and Tim Vogus with the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation at Vanderbilt University. See all CLE programs being offered or register here.

The American Bar Association continues its celebration of Law Day 2021 with a free virtual program Wednesday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. EDT. “Advancing the Rule of Law Now: Access and Accountability, A Call to Action” highlights this year’s Law Day theme. Panel members will discuss a number of topics including access to justice issues and the accountability of elected officials and law enforcement officers. Learn more about the program and register here.

Today’s Well-Being Week In Law theme is “Connect: Social Well-Being,” which means building connection, belonging and a reliable support network. To explore this topic, the Institute for Well-Being in Law suggests reading the 2020 New York Times article “Working From Home Poses Hurdles for Employees of Color,” by Nelson D. Schwartz. The institute also recommends watching a podcast/YouTube video on the science of friendship, how deep and meaningful friendships can help you thrive and reach your goals. Finally, follow along with a 15-minute guided Loving-Kindness Meditation. The exercise is meant to strengthen feelings of kindness and connection toward others.

The 2021 TBA Annual Convention, presented this year as both an in-person and virtual event, offers eight hours of CLE credit. One of the key offerings is the annual Better Right Now Program, which will focus this year on biases, how lawyers have been impacted in the past and what legal groups are doing to improve the situation. The first session will feature a panel of therapists and experts talking about how to identify and address implicit and explicit biases. In the second session, a panel of diverse lawyers will discuss their own experiences and how the past actions of others have affected them. Finally, the program will wrap up with a panel of local and affinity bar association leaders discussing initiatives and actions their organizations have taken to address diversity. Don’t miss this important program. Register for the 2021 Convention today!

Day three of Well-Being Week in Law focuses on career and intellectual well-being with the goals of finding personal satisfaction, professional growth and financial stability. Lawyers are encouraged to engage in creative or intellectually challenging activities that foster ongoing development. First, the institute recommends reading “Nine Steps to Achieving Flow in Your Work.” Flow is a psychological state of complete absorption in engaging activities that are optimally challenging. Research shows it is key to well-being and growth and can buffer us against the negative psychological effects of the pandemic. Second, watch the “Fostering Flow is a Key to Growth & Happiness” video with psychologist Mihály Csíkszentmihályi. Finally, download the Flow Activity Guide to find creative activities that align with who you are, are absorbing and challenging, and enable you to disconnect from stressful thoughts, as well as the Job Crafting Activity Guide to find a better fit between strengths, values, preferences and work. Access these and other resources here.

Well-Being Week in Law continues today with a focus on aligning work and personal life with values, goals and interests. Keeping with today’s theme, “Align: Spiritual Well-Being,” the Institute for Well-Being in Law suggests reading the WeWork.com article, “Ways to Incorporate Your Spirituality at Work,” and watching a video featuring law professionals on how they integrate their personal approach to spirituality into their work lives. Today’s activity is an “Awe Walk,” a 15-minute uninterrupted walk without a phone. While walking, look for new and inspiring details on your path, explore and be open to inspiration and take time to reflect on emotions after the stroll has ended. Read more on Well-Being Week in Law.

Longtime Tennessee state senator Thelma Harper will lie in state from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. CDT Wednesday at the state capitol, becoming the first African American woman to receive that honor. Harper, the first African American woman elected to the state Senate and longest serving female senator in state history, died April 22 at the age of 80. A four-day celebration is being planned next week at locations around Nashville that were important in her life: a community viewing at Schrader Lane Church of Christ on Monday, viewing at the Historic Metropolitan Courthouse on Tuesday, and a celebration of life, internment and barbecue in her honor on Thursday. WKRN has the schedule.

Tennessee Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims Chief Judge Kenneth M. Switzer will hold a “listening tour” in May with sessions beginning at 1 p.m. CDT on May 7 and 14. There is no agenda. Open discussion about any subject dealing with the court, the future of settlement procedures, trials, courtroom protocols and comments on rules are encouraged. To get your personal invite please email Clerk Penny Shrum. Let her know which date(s) you would like to attend and she will send the link to join the discussion on the morning of the event.

The Nashville Bar Association will host its spring memorial service virtually on May 27 at 11 a.m. CDT via Zoom. A project of the NBA’s Historical Committee, the memorial service honors the memory of those Nashville lawyers and judges who have recently passed away. Attendees must RSVP in order to receive a link to view the service. See the NBA’s extensive collection of memorial resolutions.