Family law arbitration promises efficiency, privacy, and flexibility — but does the Revised Uniform Arbitration Act (RUAA) truly safeguard the unique needs of divorcing spouses, parents and children? The TBA Family Law and Dispute Resolution sections will host a joint program on Dec. 18 at 11 a.m. CST that examines whether the RUAA provides adequate protections for family law litigants or whether specialized legislation is required. Participants will explore statutory gaps, including confidentiality, child‑focused standards, judicial review and enforceability of awards. Comparative insights from jurisdictions with domestic relations arbitration statutes will highlight best practices and potential reforms. Reserve your spot today!

The TBA will offer a webcast on Dec. 11 providing a practical overview of the cybersecurity legal landscape. The program will cover current cyber risks, baseline regulatory obligations across agencies such as the SEC, FTC, NYDFS, CMMC and state attorneys general, and will walk participants through real-world breach scenarios and subsequent litigation. The session runs from noon to 1 p.m. CST and will include actionable guidance for managing cybersecurity incidents and strengthening compliance programs. Visit the TBA website to register.

The TBA Litigation Practice Section will present a unique learning opportunity with two of Tennessee’s most respected litigators. Join veteran attorneys and former TBA Presidents Marcy Eason of Chattanooga and General Al Harvey of Memphis for an engaging conversation with Russell Fowler on Dec. 17 at 11 a.m. CST. In this candid discussion, Eason and Harvey will share key lessons from their decades in the courtroom and offer practical guidance for effective litigation. They also will highlight why professionalism, civility and ethical advocacy remain essential to lasting success in the legal profession. Don’t miss this chance to learn from the best. Reserve your spot today!

The TBA will host “The Ethical Campaign 2025” on Dec. 2 in Nashville, an advanced-level program for state and local lawmakers, judges, candidates, campaign leaders and their counsel focused on ethics and professionalism in the 2026 election cycle. The session will cover compliance with election laws, ethical obligations and campaign finance requirements, and will include lunch and networking opportunities with panelists. The event will run from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. CST at the Adams & Reese Nashville office at 1600 West End Ave. Space is limited and early registration is encouraged. For more information and to register, visit the TBA website.

In the Tennessee Supreme Court’s Sept. 16 order soliciting comments from the Tennessee legal community, the court asks whether it "should consider modifying requirements for admission to the Tennessee Bar for those licensed in other states to promote interstate practice and mobility." Comity admission is governed by Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 7, Article V. An applicant must have been engaged in the active practice of law for five of the seven years immediately preceding the application and must meet education and character and fitness requirements. The current application process is a multi-step process that can take up to 14 months, and sometimes longer, to complete. Feedback on potential modification of these requirements may be sent to TBA's newly formed Legal Access & Regulatory Reform Task Force at townhall@tnbar.org as well as directly to the court. Watch TBA Today through the month of December to learn more about the seven points in the Supreme Court’s order and specific ways to engage with the task force. Visit TBA's Legal Access & Regulatory Reform resource page for more information.

Employment law practitioners are increasingly faced with mandatory employment arbitration agreements, typically governed by American Arbitration Association (AAA) Rules. Join Mark Travis, attorney and AAA arbitrator, and Cassie Lively, employment vice president at the American Arbitration Association, on Dec. 16 at noon CST for a comprehensive overview of AAA’s employment arbitration services. The presentation will cover recent important updates to AAA’s Employment/Workplace Rules, including increased arbitrator powers over discovery, subpoenas and dispositive motions, as well as new administrative rules. Attendees will gain insights from both administrative and arbitrator perspectives on how employment disputes are evolving in arbitration. Reserve your spot today!

Calling all early birds! The TBA is launching a new series that will bring lawyers compelling CLE webcasts from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. CST. The Sunrise Series will begin Dec. 2 with “College Mascots and Legal Ethics: Lessons from the Sidelines,” during which legal educator Stuart Teicher will use tigers, eagles and other college icons to explore what mascots can teach lawyers about loyalty, character and protecting clients. Then on Dec. 9, Teicher will present "Good Lawyers Gone Bad: Ethics Lessons from True Lawyer Slime and Crime." The session will explore actual missteps committed by lawyers and the ethics lessons underlying the actions. Make plans now to get your day started with a CLE boost!

It's time for TBA's Year End CLE event! This annual tradition brings you quick and easy content, right from the comfort of your own home or office, whether you need one hour of CLE or 15. There is a quality mix of packages based on hours needed or topic, live webcasts and on-demand video — all offered virtually. And our excellent customer support at cle@tnbar.org will get you over the finish line for your 2025 CLE requirements. Select packages by hour (six, eight, 10, 12 or 15) or by topic, or build your own any time by visiting cle.tba.org to access over 200 on-demand programs. Topical packages include AI Essentials, Attorney Wellness, Ethics, Experience TBA Convention, General Solo & Small Practice, Law Practice Management, Mediation Ethics & CME and the Rookie Series. All offer dual hours, making it easy to check that off your December to-do list. Packages also are available based on practice area. Check out all the options here!

Nashville Metro Council Member Zulfat Suara has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Meharry Medical College, alleging she was treated differently than others who have been dismissed from their jobs in recent months, according to the Nashville Banner. Suara worked at the school from 2015 through October 2024, when she and several other finance officials were terminated from their positions. The lawsuit alleges, in part, that she never received official notice of her termination, which has hindered her pursuit of a new job. Suara is asking for compensatory and punitive damages in the lawsuit. She is represented by attorneys from Herzfeld, Suetholz, Gastel, Leniski and Wall.

Beginning Dec. 1, TBA Today will feature a weekly series to educate TBA members on the Tennessee Supreme Court’s Sept. 16 order soliciting comments from the Tennessee legal community. The order highlights seven points on which the court is requesting feedback as it reassesses its approach to regulation of the legal profession to ensure that all Tennesseans have access to affordable quality legal services. Specifically, the court is seeking feedback on how it approaches accreditation of law schools and practicable alternatives for accreditation, alternatives to law school in preparation for the practice of law, alternative pathways to admission to the bar, modifying requirements for admission without examination, allowing paraprofessionals to do some legal work, and allowing non-lawyer ownership of law firms.

The effort is being undertaken as large segments of the population — especially rural and low-income individuals — cannot secure legal help. According to the Legal Services Corporation (LSC), 1.2 million Tennesseans qualify for LSC-funded legal aid, yet most still receive insufficient assistance due to a lack of resources in their area or due to the restrictions on the types of cases legal service organizations are allowed to accept. In addition, a number of Tennessee counties qualify as “legal deserts.” As of 2020, the state had 20 counties with fewer than 10 lawyers each. According to the court’s order, regulatory structures may contribute to shortages and cost barriers and thus it is open to innovative models that address modern needs.

The TBA currently is accepting feedback from members — email townhall@tnbar.org with your thoughts — and has formed the Legal Access and Regulatory Reform Task Force to gather and review that feedback. Watch TBA Today through the month of December to learn more about the seven points in the Supreme Court’s order and specific ways to engage with the task force. A website with resources will launch next week in conjunction with the first item in the weekly series.