TBA Press Releases

TBA Announces 2014 Video Contest for Students

YouTube contest explores how laws are made, amended and repealed

NASHVILLE, Jan. 6, 2014 — Tennessee Bar Association President and Sevierville lawyer Cindy Wyrick today announced the association’s Fourth Annual YouTube Video Contest to encourage middle and high school students to explore how laws are made, amended and repealed. Titled “There Ought to be a Law,” the contest challenges students to create a three-minute video that discusses an issue they would like to see addressed through the legislative process.

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Free Legal Assistance Helped 1,800 Tennesseans in October

Lawyers served residents across the state at 80 Celebrate Pro Bono events

NASHVILLE, Nov. 21, 2013 —Tennessee lawyers helped 1,800 state residents by providing free legal information and advice throughout the month of October as part of the Tennessee Bar Association's Celebrate Pro Bono initiative.

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TBA Selects Attorneys for 2014 Leadership Law Class

31 lawyers from across the state join six-month leadership training program

NASHVILLE, Nov. 14, 2013 — The Tennessee Bar Association (TBA) announces that 31 attorneys from across the state have been selected for its 2014 Leadership Law program. Now in its 11th year, Leadership Law is designed to equip Tennessee lawyers with the vision, knowledge and skills necessary to serve as leaders in their profession and local communities.

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3 Events Explore Legal Concept of ‘Civil Right to Counsel’

Programs to be held in Knoxville, Johnson City, Chattanooga this month

NASHVILLE, Nov. 11, 2013 – The Tennessee Bar Association (TBA) and Legal Aid of East Tennessee (LAET) will hold a series of discussions this month to explore “civil right to counsel” – the idea that people who face certain civil cases and cannot afford representation should be provided with free legal counsel.

The concept builds on the U.S. Supreme Court decision Gideon v. Wainright, which found that criminal defendants cannot have a fair trial unless they have legal representation. For those who cannot afford a lawyer, the court directed that a free lawyer be appointed for them.

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TBA Votes to Support Constitutional Amendment on Judicial Selection; Merit Selection to Be Made Part of the Process by Executive Order

NASHVILLE, Oct. 24, 2013 -- Following a complete review of its policy on judicial selection, the Tennessee Bar Association (TBA) Board of Governors on Oct. 12 reaffirmed its commitment to merit selection to fill judicial vacancies, and voted to support a constitutional amendment that provides for gubernatorial appointment, legislative confirmation and retention elections for judges. The board did so because of assurances that Governor Bill Haslam would include merit in the process via an Executive Order, if the amendment is adopted. The amendment will be on the ballot in the state's November 2014 general election.

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Student Swearing-in Thursday at Cane Ridge Youth Court

Ground-breaking program lets students hear real cases

NASHVILLE, Oct. 23, 2013 -- After a successful pilot program in the spring, the Academy of Law at Cane Ridge High School will install the newest members of its youth court program. Davidson County Juvenile Judge Sophia Crawford, whose support has been central to the development of this innovative collaboration, will officiate at the installation and swearing-in ceremonies at Cane Ridge High School on October 24, 2013.

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Young Lawyers Train Librarians on Free Legal Resources

Sessions to help librarians serve members of the public seeking legal information

NASHVILLE, Oct. 17, 2013 - Young lawyers with the Tennessee Bar Association and the Chattanooga Bar Association will hold two training sessions on Oct. 25 to educate local librarians and court clerks about free services available to members of the public seeking legal assistance. The training will be offered at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the Chattanooga Downtown Library Auditorium, 1001 Broad St., Chattanooga, TN 37402.

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5th Annual ‘Celebrate Pro Bono Month’ Kicks off Today

Tennessee lawyers to offer free legal services across the state in October

NASHVILLE, Oct. 1, 2013 —Tennessee lawyers will offer free legal services to those unable to afford a lawyer throughout the month of October as part of the Celebrate Pro Bono initiative. Activities kick off today with four legal clinics, the first of more than 60 events planned across the state.

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TBA Joins Campaign to Promote Access to Legal Assistance for Tennessee Servicemembers and Veterans

Effort will focus on recruiting volunteer lawyers to handles cases for free

NASHVILLE, Aug. 7, 2013 -- The Tennessee Bar Association (TBA) has joined a nationwide effort to increase the number of lawyers committed to providing needed legal support to servicemembers, veterans and their families. Organized by Army OneSource, the Military Legal Assistance Campaign is focused on identifying and training volunteers who can assist families while a servicemember is deployed, and help servicemembers when they return from overseas duty. Through its Access to Justice Committee, the TBA is recruiting lawyers now through September to provide assistance to Tennessee servicemembers and veterans.

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Lawyers Complete 2013 TBA Leadership Program

Class of 32 graduates at TBA convention in Nashville

NASHVILLE, June 20, 2013 — Thirty-two attorneys from across the state graduated from the Tennessee Bar Association's Leadership Law program during the association's annual convention in Nashville last week.

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