The TBA will host its annual Real Estate Essentials program virtually on June 3 from noon to 3:15 p.m. CDT, offering an introductory overview of key topics in real estate law. The program will cover the fundamentals of commercial real estate in its first session, followed by a discussion of FIRPTA, FinCEN and cash reporting requirements. The course will feature presentations from Andy Maloney of Andy Maloney Law in Brentwood and Kirby Yost of Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel in Chattanooga. The program is designed for attorneys seeking a foundational understanding of real estate practice.

The Tennessee Supreme Court has released the comments submitted in response to its September 2025 order soliciting feedback on seven potential regulatory reforms, which according to the court, are designed to increase access to legal representation while also ensuring the competency of attorneys and safeguarding the public. The comments have been combined into five separate documents: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 and Part 5. Access the documents on the TBA’s Legal Access & Regulatory Reform resources page. Read the TBA's comments.

The 2026 William M. Leech Jr. Public Service Award will be presented to Memphis attorney and former TBA President Buck Lewis next month at the TBA’s Annual Convention. The award, given by the Fellows of the TBA Young Lawyers Division, is named for former Attorney General William M. Leech Jr. It is presented each year to a Tennessee lawyer who has been of outstanding service to the profession, the legal system and their community. In announcing the award, Fellows President and Memphis lawyer Mason Wilson said, “Buck Lewis represents the best of the Tennessee legal community. From his bar association service to promoting legal services for those who cannot afford a lawyer, and now his work developing leadership qualities in Tennessee law students, he embodies the ideals of the William M. Leech Jr. Public Service Award.” Lewis will be presented with the award on June 12 at the Lawyers Luncheon.

Lewis is a shareholder at Baker Donelson and leads the firm’s Appellate Group. He also is the Larry Wilks Distinguished Practitioner in Residence at the University of Tennessee Winston College of Law and co-founder of the newly renamed Pamela Reeves Institute for Professional Leadership. Lewis has focused his career on promoting access to justice initiatives in Tennessee and across the country. He is a past chair of the Tennessee Supreme Court Access to Justice Commission and the ABA Pro Bono and Public Service Committee, and was instrumental in launching Tennessee Free Legal Answers and taking the project nationwide through ABA Free Legal Answers. Most recently, Lewis founded and provided initial funding for the Justice Frank F. Drowota Trust to support organizations providing legal services to low-income individuals in the state. He also led fundraising efforts, raising $500,000 in direct donations and $2.5 million in bequests. Read more about his career in this press release from the TBA.

The Tennessee Supreme Court issued an order on May 1 seeking comments on proposed amendments to Rule 50A, which governs Tennessee’s Pro Bono Emeritus Attorney Program. That program was created to improve access to justice by allowing retired attorneys to provide pro bono services through a sponsoring organization. The amendments were requested by the courts’ Access to Justice Commission, which says the changes are designed to clarify the qualifications and application process for the program, modify the requirements for approved emeritus attorneys and align Rule 50A with rules of the Board of Professional Responsibility and the Commission on Continuing Education. The deadline for filing comments is June 30. Written comments should reference docket number ADM2026-00434 and be mailed to Appellate Clerk James Hivner, Re: Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 50A, 401 7th Ave. N., Ste. 321, Nashville, TN 37219-1407 or be emailed to appellatecourtclerk@tncourts.gov.

Members of the Tennessee Alliance for Black Lawyers (TABL) and TBA Young Lawyers Division (YLD) held a networking mixer in Memphis. The event was sponsored by and held at the offices of Burch Porter & Johnson. See photos from the event. TABL and YLD members in Knoxville should be on the lookout for a networking mixer coming to that city soon.

Today is Law Day! During its celebration earlier this week, the Knoxville Bar Association (KBA) presented the 2026 Law & Liberty Award to Caitlin A. Torney. Torney, director of career services and alumni relations at Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law, previously served as pro bono coordinator for Legal Aid of East Tennessee, where she expanded pro bono services and helped strengthen partnerships within the local legal community during her five-year tenure. She was recognized for her efforts to expand access to justice initiatives serving veterans, small business owners and victims of natural disasters, as well as her work with the KBA Access to Justice Committee. A graduate of Wake Forest University School of Law, Torney has practiced in both North Carolina and Tennessee. KBA President Rachel Hurt said in a press release that Torney exemplifies the award’s purpose of honoring those who demonstrate an abiding respect for the rule of law and work to improve the legal system for all. See photos from Wednesday's event.

This week brings the final installment of the Legislative Updates podcast for the regular session of the 114th Tennessee General Assembly. TBA lobbyists and attorneys Berkley Schwarz of Pier Strategies LLC and Brad Lampley and Ashley Harbin of Adams & Reese discuss the 2026 legislative session winding down, the possibility of a special session to redistrict the state's congressional map and a look forward to the 2026 election cycle. Tune in on the TBA website or through this link. Attorneys interested in supporting the TBA’s lobbying efforts may do so by contributing to LAWPAC. Late Friday afternoon, Gov. Bill Lee officially called for a special legislative session to review the state's congressional map. Read more in a press release.

An investiture ceremony and reception for U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Middle District of Tennessee Luke A. Evans will take place May 14 at 3:30 p.m. CDT. The ceremony will be held at the Ceremonial Courtroom 6B, United States District Court, 719 Church St., Nashville 37203. A reception will follow. View the invitation. Read more in a release from the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee.

On Wednesday, three individual plaintiffs filed a lawsuit against the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) and the troopers who falsely arrested them for driving under the influence on the highways surrounding Nashville during the summer of 2025. In the complaint, each plaintiff offered a detailed account of their interactions with THP, their arrest and its aftermath. According to the Nashville Banner, each say they were subjected to field sobriety tests and denied or not offered breathalyzer tests before being taken into custody and required to post bond. THP was previously the focus of an investigation for arresting drivers who later tested negative for drugs and alcohol.

Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis will remain a party to the civil lawsuit filed by Tyré Nichols’ mother, RowVaughn Wells, according to the Commercial Appeal. In an order filed April 24, the court denied a request from Wells’ attorneys to remove Davis from the case, an effort tied to maintaining a November trial date. Attorneys for Davis, who also represent the city of Memphis, argued the proposed voluntary dismissal sought to preempt her appeal of the denial of qualified immunity. They said Davis instead seeks dismissal on the merits, which they contend would clear her of liability in the case.