The Tennessee Supreme Court has rejected a petition to amend Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Section 10.1 to allow bar associations in the state to access contact information of licensed Tennessee attorneys from the Board of Professional Responsibility. The TBA filed a petition seeking the change in August after the court amended the rule to limit public access to attorneys’ contact information.

Vince Dean has announced he will seek another term as Hamilton County Criminal Court clerk, the Chattanoogan reports. First elected to the position in 2014, Dean said he is pleased to reflect on the accomplishments achieved through the efforts of his administration. One of his first goals was to make the offices he oversees more user-friendly. Dean currently serves on the board of directors for the County Officials Association of Tennessee and on the legislative committee for the State Court Clerks Association of Tennessee.

The TBA will host a webcast on Dec. 9 from 2 to 3 p.m. CST addressing recent changes affecting the use of pooled special needs trusts for clients 65 and older. Elder law experts will discuss TennCare considerations, trust administration issues, ABLE account supplementation and other best practices in light of the evolving legal landscape. For questions about CLE credit, contact jword@tnbar.org. Register on the TBA website. 

Tomorrow is your last chance to secure coverage and savings through the Tennessee Bar Association’s group health insurance plan. The TBA BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee plan offers guaranteed issue coverage with no health questions or pre-existing condition exclusions. The plan also includes a $15,000 life insurance policy for each employee enrolled. Enrollment won’t open again until Fall 2026. Don’t miss this opportunity! Sign up today and lock in your benefits! Solo practitioners: A tailored health insurance option also is available just for you.

The TBA will host a 2025 webcast update on Family Law on Dec. 10 from noon to 1 p.m. CST, featuring Family Law Section Chair K.O. Herston discussing key legislative and case law developments practitioners need to know. A webcast replay will be available on Dec. 23 from 3 to 4 p.m. CST. To register, visit the TBA website.

The TBA will offer a webcast on “Crystal-Clear Communication: Five Techniques to Avoid Ambiguity” on Dec. 18 from noon to 1 p.m. CST, providing practical guidance on improving clarity in modern legal writing. The program will feature before-and-after examples to help attorneys identify unclear drafting and apply techniques for simplifying legal concepts, choosing when to repeat terms, avoiding ambiguous uses of “and,” spotting misplaced modifiers and drafting emails and documents that are easy for lawyers and nonlawyers to understand. Visit the TBA website to register and for more information. 

The TBA is offering an on-demand virtual eight hour package designed to help attorneys quickly complete their remaining CLE requirements before Dec. 31. The package includes a mix of ethics updates, AI and law practice management programs, professional skills and attorney wellness sessions, as well as the 2025 Legislative Update and other popular courses. Check out the specific courses included in the package on the TBA website. Looking for something else? TBA also has six, 10, 12 and 15-hour packages, packages based on specific topics or practice areas, live webcasts and on-demand video all month long. Explore all the options to complete your CLE requirement by Dec. 31.

The TBA announced today that open enrollment for its group health insurance has been extended to Dec. 15. Due to strong enrollment, member interest and requests for additional time to review coverage options, TBA Member Insurance Solutions has negotiated a one-time extension. After Dec. 15, enrollment will be closed until Fall 2026. The plan, offered through BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, is available exclusively to TBA members and offers guaranteed issue coverage with no health questions or pre-existing condition exclusions. For rates, plan details and enrollment information, visit the TBA website.

The TBA Young Lawyers Division (YLD) assisted the Memphis Bar and several other organizations with an expungement clinic as part of a Restoration of Rights Clinic and Job Fair at the Hickory Hill Community Center in Memphis. The entire event helped 100 people with expungements, restoration rights, driver license reinstatements and onsite felony employment. About 70 were expungement cases. Special thanks to Memphis attorney Constance Brown, YLD Long Range Planning Committee reporter and Recovery Court West Tennessee coordinator, for her efforts.

Congratulations to Assistant District Attorney Princess Rogers on her election to the Nashville Bar Association (NBA) Board of Directors. She is one of six new board members taking office Jan. 1, 2026, to begin a four-year term. Rogers is a TBA YLD Fellow and continues to be of service to the TBA YLD Board by assisting with President Alex McVeagh's recovery court initiative in Middle Tennessee.