The 2024 Corporate Counsel Pro Bono Initiative (CCPBI) Gala will be held April 20 in Nashville at the offices of Bass, Berry & Sims, located at the Pinnacle at Symphony Place. Individual tickets are available, and organizations are invited to support the initiative by becoming recognized sponsors. The gala will be a cocktail supper, with live music and a brief presentation, including awarding the inaugural Branham Grants. The CCPBI, a partnership between the TBA Access to Justice Committee, TBA Corporate Counsel Section and the Tennessee Chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel, established the grants in honor of long-time access to justice champion Andy Branham, who passed away in 2022. The Branham Grants support pro bono projects designed to provide civil legal resources and support for people with, affected by, or at risk for addiction in Tennessee as well as those in recovery. See photos from last year's event. 

The Tennessee Innocence Project will host an event on April 18 in Chattanooga highlighting the work of the organization. Roger Dickson with Miller & Martin and Andrea Hayduk with the Hamilton County Public Defender’s Office will discuss the mission of the Tennessee Innocence Project and attendees will hear from exoneree Joyce Watkins, who spent 27 years in prison for a crime she did not commit. Wine, beer and light hors d’oeuvres will be served. View the invitation and RSVP here.

The Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands will hold its 6th Annual Breakfast of Champions on April 17 at 8 a.m. CDT in Nashville. The event, which will take place at the City Winery, 609 Lafayette St., Nashville 37203, brings Middle Tennessee’s legal community and business leaders together to support the organization’s work. Funds raised at the breakfast directly impact low-income and vulnerable communities by providing free community education and legal representation. Learn more and register online or view the invitation.

Make plans now to join colleagues from across the state at the TBA’s 2024 Annual Convention, set for June 12-15, at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis. Perennial favorites such as the Bench Bar program and lunch, Lawyers Lunch and joint event with the Tennessee Judicial Conference return to the agenda alongside new offerings including a Wednesday night dine-around for all attendees; a Public Service breakfast, where TBA will honor legal aid, private practice and law student pro bono work; a ticketed reception on Thursday night open to the entire legal community; and a chance to be the honorary Peabody Duck Master! This year’s theme — “A Bridge to the Future” — also will bring compelling CLE programs focused on artificial intelligence and how this rapidly expanding technology will impact the practice of law. During the week, the Tennessee Lawyers' Association for Women, Tennessee Alliance for Black Lawyers and Tennessee Trial Lawyers' Association also will hold meetings and events at the Peabody, making Memphis the place to be this June. Access registration, hotel reservation information and more on the event website.

Belmont Law Review at Belmont University College of Law will host its spring event on April 4 with a panel discussion on “Artificial Intelligence’s Breakthrough Into the Legal Field.” The panel will focus on recent developments in artificial intelligence (AI) and how these developments impact different areas of the legal world, including private law firms, professional responsibility concerns, and entertainment and copyright practice. The event will take place from 6-7:15 p.m. CDT in Room 157 of the Randall and Sadie Baskin Center, 1901 15th Ave. S. Nashville 37212. The event is free but attendees must register.

The Vanderbilt Social Justice Reporter will hold a two-part event focused on the legacy of voting rights in the South, the current state of affairs and strategies for ensuring a full right to a fair vote for Black and Brown residents. The first event is a Community Conversation on April 1 from 7-8:30 p.m. CDT at the National Museum of African American Music, 510 Broadway in downtown Nashville. The next day, on April 2, the group will hold a Roundtable Panel Series from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. CDT at Vanderbilt Law School, 131 21st Ave. S in Nashville. Get more information about the programs or register.

The American Bar Association (ABA) will host a Law Day 2024 Launch Program tomorrow from 4-5 p.m. EDT. The program — which will be held virtually with free registration — will provide suggestions and guidance to inspire people to plan and lead their own Law Day celebrations. The event will include a panel discussion on this year’s Law Day theme, “Voices of Democracy,” which encourages Americans to participate in the 2024 elections by deepening their understanding of the electoral process; discussing issues in honest and civil ways; turning out to vote; and helping to move the country forward after free and fair elections. Law Day is celebrated each year on May 1. Read more about or register for the event.

The Lawyers' Association for Women Marion Griffin Chapter will hold a celebration to honor its longtime Executive Director Melanie Gober Grand, who is retiring at the end of the month. The event will take place Tuesday from 5:30-7:30 p.m. CDT at the offices of Dodson Parker Behm & Capparella PC, 1310 6th Ave. N., Nashville 37208. Grand has served as director of the association for 24 years. Learn more or register to attend here.

The Tennessee Journal of Race, Gender and Social Justice, a student-run and edited publication, will host a symposium on March 21 at the University of Tennessee College of Law to explore the impact of recent U.S. legislation affecting health care and education resources for the LGBTQ+ population. Jennifer Levi, senior director of transgender and queer rights at GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) and professor of law at Western New England University School of Law, will deliver the keynote address. Get more information and register here.

The Chattanooga chapter of the Federalist Society will host a discussion with Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti on April 18 at 11:30 a.m. EDT. The free event will take place at the offices of Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel PC, 605 Chestnut St., Ste. 1700, Chattanooga 37450. View the flier for more information.