One of the most important responsibilities of the TBA is to advocate for the legal profession and our system of justice with Tennessee policymakers. TBA’s Government Affairs team is committed to affecting positive change on behalf of Tennessee attorneys and we want your help! Through our Grassroots Advocacy Initiative, the TBA is building a network of lawyers who are informed and engaged about issues relevant to the practice of law in our state. Please complete this form if you are interested in learning more, including opportunities to advocate. Learn more about TBA's ongoing advocacy efforts related to indigent representation.

The TBA is partnering with the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council (TUFC) to host a half-day forum focused on urban forestry and legal issues affecting municipal governance and sustainability. The "Trees and the Law" event kicks off the TUFC's annual meeting, which will highlight how individuals, organizations and municipalities are engaging to make an impact in communities. Join colleagues on Nov. 13 at noon CST at the Scarritt Bennett Center in Nashville. Get session information and register here. Members of the TBA Environmental Law Section enjoy discounted registration. Not a section member? Join here.

Twenty members of the TBA recently gathered at Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park in Manchester to participate in the Young Lawyers Division's (YLD) inaugural Exploration CLE. Attendees heard a presentation on ethical pitfalls for new lawyers as well as two presentations focused on health and wellness. A highlight of the day was a ranger-led hike through the park and lunch at a picnic pavilion. The Exploration series is produced in collaboration with the TBA Attorney Well Being Committee. Stay tuned for information on the next state park visit. See photos from the event.

The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected an appeal from South Carolina's Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department, which sought to shield information from Google in an ongoing antitrust lawsuit. According to Reuters, the department argued it was immune from Google's subpoenas because it was not a named plaintiff in the antitrust lawsuit and thus should not be considered an “arm of the state.” The high court's order let stand a lower court ruling requiring the department to provide advertising-related records. In the underlying lawsuit, South Carolina and 16 other states sued Google for allegedly overcharging for its advertising technology. Google has sought information from the states to fight those allegations. It said dozens of other state agencies complied with its demands for information.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Tennessee today announced the launch of "Operation Bond Watch" to prosecute individuals previously charged with murder and attempted murder who unlawfully possess firearms while on bond. The initiative aims to deter violent crime and protect the community. The program will focus on individuals released on bond for serious violent crimes and seek federal charges if they are found to have illegally possessed firearms. According to a press release, the office says the program will help prevent gun violence and hold violent criminals accountable. In April, a Nashville man out on bond for murder was arrested for another murder, highlighting the need for the initiative, the office says. The program is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a broader effort to reduce violent crime and gun violence in communities.

Nashville and Davidson County Metro Council member Delishia Porterfield, who chairs the council's Budget Committee, plans to prioritize investments in youth programs to address recent gun violence in Nashville, including funding a new Office of Youth Safety, Axios Nashville reports. The news outlet says that two recent shootings have underscored the urgency of this issue. Last week, a 14-year-old was fatally shot during an attempted robbery in East Nashville. Earlier this month, mass shooting killed one person and injured nine others, including children. Porterfield's alternative budget earmarked $750,000 for the Office of Youth Safety and $250,000 for increased community center programming. She believes that empowering youth with conflict resolution skills and restorative justice practices can help break the cycle of violence, “The recent tragedy has highlighted the urgent need for effective solutions that not only address conflicts but also promote healing and understanding," Porterfield said in a statement.

Two representatives from the Davidson County Election Commission will facilitate early voting for incarcerated individuals in five jail facilities run by the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office on Oct. 29, a week ahead of the general election on Nov. 5. With approximately 70 people expected to participate, the effort marks a significant increase in engagement compared to past elections, the Nashville Banner reports. People in Nashville's jails are legally allowed to vote unless they have a felony conviction, though logistical challenges have historically hindered participation. Davidson County Sheriff Daron Hall collaborated with community advocates to identify those eligible to vote, which resulted in 172 absentee ballot requests.

A former Memphis Police Department officer is serving a six-month federal prison sentence for stealing $18,500 from CrimeStoppers and will have to pay $22,400 in restitution. Arica Hutchison pleaded guilty to defrauding the United States in June and was sentenced earlier this month. According to the Daily Memphian, Hutchison entered fraudulent data into the CrimeStoppers database while an associate posed as a tipster to receive the the reward. Hutchison accessed databases and provided her associate with tip numbers and suspect information about tips. Disciplinary records show she admitted to federal investigators in February that she illegally obtained CrimeStoppers funds. Hutchison joined MPD in 2007 and CrimeStoppers in 2018. “As far as we’re concerned, (in) 44 years, it’s never happened before,” David Wayne Brown, CrimeStoppers executive director, said. "I consider it an anomaly.”

Donald J. Polden, former University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law dean died Oct. 15 at the age of 76. Polden served as dean of the law school from 1993 to 2003. According to the school, he increased the diversity of the student body, raised the national profile of the faculty, and secured significant private support for the law school during his tenure. He also oversaw the law school's move to its downtown Memphis building and its admission to the Association of American Law Schools. Polden received his law degree from the University of Indiana. In a press release, the school says he was known for his commitment to diversity and access to legal education. Polden also served on numerous state and national commissions and committees, including those dedicated to improving racial and ethnic diversity in state courts, strengthening clinical legal education and improving the health of law students.

The TBA's Law Office Technology & Management Section is presenting the latest installment of its law tech webcast series on Nov. 19 from 1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. CST.  In "Our Era of AI: Responsible AI & Microsoft Copilot," attorneys will hear how Microsoft embraces Responsible AI in its development of AI solutions and how the Microsoft legal department uses the Microsoft Copilot AI solution to achieve more. For more information or to register visit the TBA’s website.