Recently, family law attorney and current section chair K.O. Herston provided a one hour CLE titled “The Art of the Family Law Consultation,” which offered practical guidance for attorneys on how to conduct effective client consultations. The seminar covered strategies for efficient and empathetic intake and managing consultations to build trust and rapport. Designed for both new and experienced practitioners, the program focused on improving consultation skills and boosting client retention, and it is now available as an on-demand course for practitioners who were unable to attend the live seminar. For more information and to purchase, visit the TBA CLE website.

Multinational investment company BlackRock plans to include private assets in its retirement plans, according to an article from Reuters. The move to expand alternative investments into defined contribution plans could boost annual returns by about 50 basis points, adding about a 15% increase in 401(k) savings over 40 years, according to company estimates. The approach would include a 5% to 20% allocation to private assets in the retirement plans, depending on the investor's age. BlackRock anticipates portfolios in the future will comprise 50% public equities, 30% public fixed income and 20% private markets.

The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) is launching “Promise to Call,” a new effort to prevent suicide. The concept involves a promise to contact a designated person if you have thoughts of suicide. “The concept of a promise is so simple and so universal,” said TDMHSAS Commissioner Marie Williams. “This promise has already saved lives among my own family, friends, and coworkers, and we are so excited for the potential it holds for saving countless more lives across our state." TDMHSAS has several ways to get involved, including spreading awareness through social media outreach and printed materials. Email matthew.parriott@tn.gov for more information.

The 2025 Federal Practice Forum, set for July 15, will provide attorneys with essential updates and practical insights across three sessions: immigration law, art and cultural heritage law, and attorney wellness, including a session exploring parallels between athletes and the mental health challenges lawyers face. Speakers include Brent Jones an assistant U.S. attorney in Knoxville, Diane Penneys Edelman with the Brooklyn Law School, Amber Seay with The Ehrisman Law Firm, and Stuart Teicher, known as The CLE Performer. For more information and to register, visit TBA's website.

The July 25 Elder Law Forum will feature a session on law practice management. Attorneys and proprietors Barbara McGinnis and John Toy will discuss ways to make your firm more efficient, covering traditional practices, ways to integrate AI and other ideas for you to implement for your business. Additional topics at the forum include undue influence, Medicaid/TennCare, VA benefits and ethics. TBA Elder Law Section and General Solo Section members receive a discounted rate to attend. Learn more and register here.

The 2025 TBA Topgolf Estate Planning Tee-off will take place Friday, Sept. 12. This annual favorite offers three general CLE credits followed by two hours of Topgolf gameplay. The event also provides a perfect team-building exercise for your group or firm. Topics  include trusts, income tax, estate planning for the “middle-rich” and more. Breakfast and lunch are provided. Space is limited so register now before it's too late!

The list of candidates seeking to replace U.S. Rep. Mark Green continues to grow, the Nashville Banner reports. State Rep. Bo Mitchell of Nashville became the first Democrat to say he’s running for the 7th Congressional District seat, which encompasses parts of Davidson, Montgomery and Williamson counties., which spans parts of Nashville to Clarksville near the Kentucky border. State Rep. Aftyn Behn, D-Nashville, announced a run today acccording to the Nashville Post. The Republican side of the race is more crowded. State Reps. Jody Barrett of Dickson, Jay Reedy of Erin and Lee Reeves of Franklin have filed paperwork to run. Other contenders include Matthew Van Epps, who resigned his role as commissioner of the Tennessee Department of General Services to run; Jason Knight, a Montgomery County commissioner and former Clarksville City Council member; and U.S. Army veteran John Thorp. The Tennessean reports on Thorp's candidacy.

The TBA Young Lawyers Division will continue its CLE Exploration Series this fall with the addition of the inaugural "Does it Please the Court?" program. On Oct. 10, join Tennessee State Supreme Court Chief Justice Holly Kirby and Justice Mary Wagner at Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park outside Memphis. Don't miss this unique opportunity to meet with the justices and learn from other speakers — all while networking and enjoying the natural beauty of one of Tennessee's state parks. The program will begin at 9 a.m. CDT with sessions running from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The program will include lunch and a ranger-led hike. Save the date! Registration will be available soon.

Tennessee Bonding Company, Inc., d/b/a Action Bail Bonding (“the Bonding Company”), appeals from the trial court’s denial of its petitions to obtain bonding privileges in the Twenty-Sixth Judicial District. The Bonding Company contends that (1) the trial court improperly held a hearing without counsel present, (2) the trial court erroneously considered certain evidence without the required necessary authentication or identification in violation of the Rules of Evidence, and (3) the evidence did not support the trial court’s denial of approval to write bonds. After review, we affirm.

Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell has hired Nashville attorney Masami Tyson to be his new chief of staff. Tyson will succeed Marjorie Pomeroy-Wallace, who ran O'Connell's 2023 campaign and has been his only chief of staff. Pomeroy-Wallace will remain with the O'Connell administration in the newly created position of chief strategy officer. Nashville Business Journal reports that Tyson is a former senior counsel at Franklin-based Nissan Americas who then spent almost four years as Tennessee’s top official recruiting business investments from foreign companies. Most recently, Tyson opened a Nashville office for Womble Bond Dickinson, where she was a partner. A native of Yokohama, Japan, Tyson received her law degree from Vanderbilt University Law School in 2000. Read more in a press release from the mayor's office.