The Tennessee Bar Association will hold its first-ever Conference on Artificial Intelligence & the Law (TCAIL) in Nashville on Dec. 6. Given the importance of learning more about this rapidly changing technological advancement and to make this innovative program accessible to all lawyers, the registration price has been reduced for the month of November to $150 for TBA members and just $100 for Law Tech and General Solo & Small Firm Section members. Non-members can attend for $350, which includes TBA membership! The special registration rate ends this weekend. Don't miss out on this opportunity! Register today. 

Hamilton County General Sessions Court Judge Tori Smith’s quest to become a judge started after watching an episode of "Saved by the Bell." "I wish so badly that I could quote some philosopher, but it was Jessie Spano," Smith says. "It was a flashback episode or a dream where she was a judge, and I just thought it sounded really cool and that’s how it started." She wanted a career that allowed her to serve her Native American community as a member of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. Her tribe established an education scholarship, which she was able to advantage of in her journey to law school. Smith was appointed to the court to fill the vacancy left by Judge Alex McVeagh, who recently was elected to the 11th Judicial District Circuit Court. Read more about Judge Smith from the Administrative Office of the Courts.

Earlier today a story ran in TBA Today based on an early 2024 Axios article regarding the governor’s budget for FY 2024-2025. To clarify, that budget is not the 2025-2026 budget, which is currently under development and has not been released. We regret the error and any confusion this may have caused.

An inmate died in intake at the Shelby County Criminal Justice Center on Friday morning, the Daily Memphian reports. Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner on Friday announced in a news conference that the inmate was found unconscious and medical aid was rendered but the man could not be saved. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is investigating the inmate's death. This is the “fifth or sixth” in-custody death at the jail this year so far, most related to medical reasons, according to the sheriff, the paper reports.

Around 60% of Tennessee third graders didn't meet the state’s reading standards last school year with less than 1% actually held back, as required under a state reading law that took effect last year, according to the Tennessean. The majority of students moved on to fourth grade because of exemptions to the law, including students who are English language learners or have learning disabilities. The law primarily determines children's reading proficiency by their English Language Arts scores on the standardized Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) test. Of the students that didn’t qualify for exemptions, most of them agreed to an alternative plan that included either summer school or tutoring and allowed them to move on to the next grade.

A Tennessee man involved in the Jan. 6, 2021 U.S. Capitol riot has been convicted of planning to kill federal investigators. Edward Kelley, of Maryville, was found guilty of multiple counts after prosecutors outlined how the man created a “kill list” of FBI agents and others. He was arrested based on videos from the capitol and had his home searched by the FBI. According to WPLN news, an acquaintance helped investigators by recording phone calls in which Kelley discussed three dozen targets and how many weapons he’d have access to for an attack on the FBI office in Knoxville. Kelley faces up to life in prison and will be sentenced in May.

A new grant program aimed at lowering the cost of private adoptions and helping recruit more foster families in Tennessee was announced by Gov. Bill Lee and the state’s Department of Children’s Services (DCS). Starting Jan. 1, 2025, DCS will launch the Home Study Reimbursement Grant Program, which will reimburse families up to $1,000 for the cost of a home study for private adoptions. The state already covers home studies for foster families, according to WSMV news. DCS said there are currently more than 8,000 children in its care, with about 5,000 approved foster homes across the state.

Tennessee attorney Lundy Boyd Carpenter of Piperton died Nov. 17 at the age of 53. A Memphis native, she obtained her law degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1997 and began her law career by serving as a judicial law clerk for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court and the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals. After taking a break from law to raise her son, Carpenter returned to the legal field by serving as an adoption attorney for Weaver & Craig P.C. Services for Carpenter were held Sunday. Gifts in her memory can be made to Rossville Church, to Voice of the Martyrs or to Samaritan’s Purse.

Tennessee State House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland, and Caucus Chair Jeremy Faison, R-Cosby, are unopposed in their bids for reelection to their leadership positions in the House, the Tennessee Journal reports. One race will see a contested election: Rep. Jody Barrett, R-Dickson, is challenging Rep. Paul Sherrell, R-Sparta, for floor leader. House Democrats, by contrast, saw contested elections in two key leadership races. House Minority Leader Karen Camper faced a challenge from fellow Memphian Rep. G.A. Hardaway, while Democratic Caucus Chair John Ray Clemmons, D-Nashville, faced a challenge from Rep. Justin J. Pearson, D-Memphis, for caucus chair. Both incumbents were reelected. In the Senate, Majority Leader Jack Johnson, R-Franklin, was reelected while Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, and Caucus Chair Ken Yager, R-Kingston, were renominated, the Nashville Post reports. Democratic members reelected Minority Leader Raumesh Akbari and Caucus Chair London Lamar, both of Memphis, and Vice Chair Charlane Oliver of Nashville, Chattanoogan.com reports.

The Tennessee Supreme Court temporarily suspended Maury County lawyer Ashlyn Elizabeth Blevins from the practice of law on Nov. 22 after finding that she poses a threat of substantial harm to the public and is substantially non-compliant with a Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program monitoring agreement. The court reports that Blevins failed to complete certain testing and additional treatment as required. Blevins is immediately precluded from accepting any new cases and must cease representing existing clients by Dec. 22. The court also approved a motion from the Board of Professional Responsibility to file an exhibit in the case under seal.