A number of events celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day are being planned in Memphis. The Memphis Bar Association and Ben F. Jones Chapter of the National Bar Association will host a brunch on Monday from 11:30-1 p.m. CST. The National Civil Rights Museum will offer a "Community Resource Pavilion" to connect visitors with social service agencies and health and wellness organizations. An arts-and-crafts station, a storytelling station and live music also will be available. Admission to the museum will be free on Monday. In addition, a commemorative march will take place starting at 8 a.m. CST at the corner of Main and A.W. Willis. Finally, service projects are being planned by Volunteer Odyssey, Volunteer Memphis and United Way of the Mid-South, the Wolf River Conservancy and Lead Free South Memphis. Read more about these and other opportunities in the Commercial Appeal.

As part of the TBA’s effort to help educate members about the Tennessee Supreme Court’s Sept. 16 order — which solicited comments on seven areas of possible regulatory changes to the legal profession — the TBA Legal Access and Regulatory Reform Task Force will hold a virtual town hall on Jan. 22 beginning at noon CST. This town hall, the first of several to be planned, will be geared toward attorneys who practice in rural areas. The event will start with a 20-minute presentation by University of Tennessee Winston College of Law Professors Ben Barton and Alex Long. Then McMinnville lawyer Mike Galligan will moderate a discussion about the seven issues presented in the order, including concerns and possible solutions. Attendees are encouraged to review the TBA’s Legal Access & Regulatory Reform resource page before attending. Register for the town hall here.

A number of events celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day are being planned in Chattanooga. These include a memorial march and parade, the city’s annual day of service, a community day at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center and Hunter Museum of American Art, and an event at the New Zion Baptist Church. See all upcoming events from NOOGAtoday.

The University of Memphis Law Review will host its annual symposium on Feb. 27. As the United States looks forward to its 250th birthday in July, this year's symposium will reflect on due process, the cornerstone of the American legal system, according to the school. The program will "explore issues related to the history and evolution of due process and analyze what the future holds for this ever-evolving right," according a description of the event. Get more information on the law school's website.

Nashville will honor the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. with a series of events surrounding Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 19, celebrating King's impact on civil rights, justice and equality. Organized in part by the Interdenominational Ministers Fellowship, activities running Jan. 11-19 include worship services, panel discussions, youth programming, a march along historic Jefferson Street, the annual MLK Convocation at Tennessee State University, and the black-tie MLK Gala. Vanderbilt University also will host special programming, including a lecture by author and civil engineer Cheryl McKissack Daniel and a roundtable discussion on King’s writings and legacy. A schedule of events and additional details are available online.

Knoxville is marking the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. with events running throughout the month, including art exhibits, educational programs, an interfaith prayer service, youth programming and the MLK Basketball Classic. Organized by the Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Commission, the 2026 celebration carries the theme “One Community, One Purpose, One Dream: A Call to Action” and is intended to promote civic engagement, equity and community building. Events began Jan. 2 with a Gallery of Arts Tribute at The Emporium Center, where the exhibit honoring King’s legacy will remain on display through Jan. 31. Programs will conclude with a memorial tribute service on Jan. 19. Knox News has a full schedule of events taking place throughout the month.

The annual State of the Environment Law Conference will be held at noon CST on Jan. 21 at Vanderbilt University Law School and is free and open to the public. The program will begin with lunch and a panel examining the state of the environment in Tennessee, followed by four additional panel discussions on a range of environmental issues. The conference will conclude with a cocktail hour, providing attendees an opportunity to network with panelists and other participants. The event will allow ample time for audience questions and discussion, continuing a tradition of engaging and informative programming. See a detailed agenda.

The Association for Women Attorneys (AWA) will hold its 44th annual banquet on Jan. 29. The event will take place at The Cadre, 149 Monroe Avenue, Memphis 38103. A cocktail hour will begin at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 p.m. CST. This year’s event will honor Lauran Stimac, chair of Evans Petree’s litigation practice group. Read more about the banquet and purchase tickets online. To pay by check, email Faith Watson. Each ticket includes salad, dinner (chicken, fish or a vegetarian option), two sides and a dessert.

The Tennessee Department of Revenue will host a free webinar for new businesses Jan. 7 at 8:30 a.m. CST. During the session, participants will learn about state tax obligations for new businesses in the state and about other resources that may help new businesses. The webinar is part of a series the department offers to the public each quarter. Each webinar covers topics such as tax registration, sales and use tax, business tax, franchise and excise taxes, and how to get help from the Department of Revenue and other state agencies. Registration is available on the department’s website.

The Tennessee Alliance for Black Lawyers (TABL) and the Tennessee Bar Association Young Lawyers Division's (YLD) Diversity Committee will hold a networking mixer on Jan. 8 at Spencer Fane, 511 Union St., Ste. 1000, Nashville 37219. The free event will run from 5:30-7:30 p.m. CST and parking will be validated. Special thanks to Spencer Fane for sponsoring this event. All are welcome but an RSVP is required. See a flyer for more information.