This year's CLE lineup will bring together an esteemed group of panelists and speakers to cover a variety of timely, essential legal topics including neurodiversity in the courtroom, implicit bias, mental health implications of trauma and PTSD, attorney well-being for lawyers in today's evolving legal field and a legislative update recapping the most recent updates from the legislative session. Earn up to 8.25 hours of CLE! 

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Thursday, June 17

BENCH/BAR PROGRAM (2.25 Dual) 

• 9 – 9:45 a.m. CDT. Vicarious Trauma/Secondary PTSD

TLAP's Executive Director, Buddy Stockwell, will introduce this program with an overview of Compassion Fatigue and solutions, along with a few of his experiences as family law lawyer and the importance of mental health awareness in the legal profession. TLAP Clinical Director Holly Wade, LCSW, will offer information on what happens if you develop even more debilitating levels of distress such as PTSD, etc. and what therapy and recovery looks like for more serious cases. All, with an eye, toward early education and intervention to avoid getting that deep into the weeds in the first place. Participants will learn how to recognize symptoms in themselves and others for early intervention and best outcomes.

• 9:45 – 10 a.m. CDT. Break

• 10 – 10:45 a.m. CDT. Neurodiversity in the Courtroom: Supporting the Differently-Wired Brain 

The legal system has a well-earned and longstanding reputation as a slow adopter of change. As Neurodiverse people (i.e. Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Dyslexia, PTSD) continue to participate in the courtroom setting, it is incumbent upon the judges and advocates themselves to recognize that great minds don’t always think alike. In order to accommodate different ways that we process information, courts and the lawyers that practice before them must appreciate and understand these differences and prepare cases that play to all strengths. Featured panelists include Suzanne Hartness (moderator), Gullett Sanford Robinson & Martin PLLC; John Bowers (moderator), Patterson Intellectual Property Law; John Coke, Assistant General Counsel, Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts; Elizabeth Kelley, Elizabeth Kelley Law; Haley Moss, Florida’s first openly autistic lawyer and author; and Tim Vogus, Vanderbilt University. View a flyer about the program

Resources mentioned during the program:

• Is That Clear? Effective Communication in a Neurodiverse World, by Zanne Gaynor, Kathryn Alevizos, Joe Butler
• Great Minds Think Differently: Neurodiversity for Lawyers and Other Professionals, by Haley Moss, ABA Publishing, 2020
• Representing People with Mental Disabilities: A Practical Guide for Criminal Defense Lawyers, edited by Elizabeth Kelley, ABA Publishing, 2018
• Representing People with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Practical Guide for Criminal Defense Lawyers, edited by Elizabeth Kelley, ABA Publishing, 2020
• Olga Tennison Autism Research Center, La Trobe University Australia

• 10:45 – 11 a.m. CDT. Break

• 11 – 11:45 a.m. CDT. Sentencing & Implicit Bias

The media recently highlighted instances of bias in the criminal justice system. Lawyers and jurists are now focusing their inquiry on the effect of individual bias on the sentencing process. This panel discussion documents some of the specific instances of bias in the sentencing phase along with some practical suggestions on how to limit the effect of individual biases. Featured panelists include Hon. Bernice B. Donald, U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit, Prof. Demetria Frank, University of Memphis School of Law and Prof. Sherley Cruz, University of Tennessee College of Law.

BETTER RIGHT NOW (3.5 Dual)

• 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. CDT. Bias and Its Consequences: What Does It Look Like? 

This session will discuss the psychological and other deleterious effects of stereotyping, discrimination, marginalization, microaggressions and other racial injustices, as well as therapeutic approaches to helping those who have survived this trauma. The panel of experts features Luther Wright, Jr., Ogletree Deakins (moderator) Carmen Foster, University of Tennessee, Curtis Davis, University of Alabama and Jamila Walker, University of Tennessee.

• 2:30 – 4 p.m. CDT. Personal Experiences: Who Does It Hurt? 

Join an esteemed panel of diverse lawyers discussing experiences and how past actions has affected them. Moderated by Joycelyn Stevenson of the Tennessee Bar Association, the panel will feature A.C. Wharton, The A C Wharton Group; Joe Kwon, Joe Kwon Law; Psonya Hackett, Hackett Law Firm; Ruby Wharton, The Wharton Law Firm; and Willie Santana, Office of the Third Judicial District Public Defender.

• 4 – 4:15 p.m. CDT. Break

• 4:15 – 5:15 p.m. CDT. Raising the Bar: What Can We Do? 

This session will feature an interactive discussion among attendees and the panelists, firm and bar association leaders, during which everyone can share their experiences, efforts and initiatives in addressing this important issue. Moderated by Terrence Reed, FedEx Express the panel will feature David Jones, Fisher & Phillips; Lisa Cole, Lewis Thomason; Mary Beard, HCA Healthcare; and Shayla Purifoy, Shelby County Government.

Resources mentioned during the program:

• The Anxious Lawyer: An 8-Week Guide to a Joyful and Satisfying Law Practice Through Mindfulness and Meditation
• The Center for Excellence and Decision Making, Memphis

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Friday, June 18

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE (2.5 General) 

• 9 - 10:15 a.m. CDT. Part 1: Legislative Session Review

Join Tennessee lawmakers as well as Legislative Counsel Brad Lampley as they discuss the most recent legislative session including effects of the pandemic on the current and future work of the General Assembly. Panelists include House Majority Leader William Lamberth, Rep. Michael Curcio, Rep. Johnny Garrett, Sen. Raumesh Akbari, Sen. Sara Kyle and Sen. John Stevens.

• 10:15 – 10:30 a.m. CDT. Break

• 10:30 - 11:45 a.m. CDT. Part 2: Update on Legislation

Berkley Schwarz, TBA Director of Public Policy and Government Affairs, and Legislative Counsel Brad Lampley give a thorough update on legislation affecting lawyers from the most recent session of the TN General Assembly.