Coming up on July 11 is the always engaging CLE Performer Stuart Teicher with three hours of ethics CLEs. Join your colleagues for these webcasts beginning at 9 a.m. CDT: What Emojis Teach About Lawyer Legal Ethics, Cat Proverbs and Attorney Ethics and What Overrated Rock Bands Teach About Attorney Ethics. Want to get ethics credits now? Check out the latest ethics programming available on demand, including Taylor Swift is a Genius: Even About Legal Ethics and Learn By Doing: An Hour of Legal Writing Exercises.

The TBA Young Lawyers Division (YLD) will host a CLE during next month's TBA Convention focused on the expanded use of technology and virtual work that has become the new normal. Panelists will discuss challenges that attorneys, law firms and other practitioners face in maximizing their familiarity and skills outside traditional office and courtroom proceedings and into the “virtual office” with remote hearings and trials and fully virtual client relationships. Moderated by TBA YLD President Quinton Thompson, the program will take place June 14 from 10-11:30 a.m. CDT in the Venetian Room of the Peabody Hotel in Memphis. Learn more about this and other CLE being offered at the annual Convention.

The state of Illinois will switch to the NextGen Bar Exam in 2028, becoming the 19th state or territory to commit and the largest jurisdiction yet to adopt the revised version of the national attorney licensing exam. Illinois officials have not yet determined whether the switch will occur in February or July 2028, Reuters reports. Tennessee will transition to the new exam in July 2027.

Former President Donald Trump was found guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business documents today, making him the first U.S. president to be convicted of a crime. The jury deliberated for two days after hearing several weeks of testimony. The judge in the case set sentencing for July 11. Each count carries a maximum sentence of four years in prison, though others convicted of this crime have often receive shorter sentences, fines or probation, Reuters reports. Trump has denied wrongdoing and is expected to appeal.

Two American Bar Association (ABA) groups are recognizing young lawyers in Tennessee. The ABA Business Law Section has named Legal Aid Society attorney Elizabeth Leiserson as its Outstanding Nonprofit Young Lawyer. The award recognizes distinguished service by a young lawyer in the nonprofit sector. Leiserson, who works out of the Nashville office, is project director of the Eviction Right to Counsel program, which assists low-income individuals across Middle Tennessee with housing-related legal matters. In addition, the ABA Young Lawyers Division has named its Top 40 Young Lawyers for 2024, including 8th Judicial District Criminal Court Judge Zachary Walden of Jacksboro and Corbin Carpenter with Carpenter Law in Memphis. This recognition honors ABA young lawyer members who exemplify a broad range of high achievement and legal and community service. See the full list or read more about the designation.

The Chattanooga Bar Association (CBA) celebrated the 2024 Law Day last week at the Hunter Museum with more than 200 attending. Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti was the featured speaker. The CBA also presented its annual Liberty Bell Award for public service to retired Brigadier General Carl E. Levi. Levi’s career includes 53 years of public service to Chattanooga and Hamilton County government, 35 years of service in the U.S. Army and Tennessee National Guard and over seven decades of civic service and volunteer leadership, dedicated to the betterment of others. Chattanoogan.com has more details on his life. See a photo from the event.

Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy has spoken out on the city of Memphis subpoenaing his office for information he shared with Tyre Nichols’ attorneys, saying it was the city’s “mix-up.” Several weeks ago, the city sent a subpoena to Mulroy requesting all correspondence between his office and Nichols’ attorneys as well as with the U.S. Department of Justice, which is currently investigating the Memphis Police Department. Mulroy said he sent “part of the case file, video, reports of witness interviews, police reports and affidavits” to Nichols’ team and the city prior to receiving the subpoena. “I don’t think they realized we sent it all, so they sent the subpoena,” he said, according to the Daily Memphian.

A new exhibit at the State Library and Archives marking the state's 228th anniversary will open on Saturday in Nashville. The “Dear Governor” exhibit will feature correspondences from constituents during the tenures of various Tennessee governors, some going back to the earliest days of the state. Officials promise the materials will provide an “incredible glimpse into the moments and events that shaped the earliest tenures of the state’s leaders.” June 1, which is known as Statehood Day, will be celebrated in style at the library from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. CDT with live music, historical interpreters, behind-the scenes tours, crafts and more.

The free online tax filing program piloted this year by the IRS will be made permanent and its scope will be expanded, The Hill reports. Known as “Direct File,” the online platform will be integrated with state tax systems and expanded beyond the limited number of deductions that it can currently process. The system was available in 12 states this year as a pilot program. The expansion will depend on state readiness but there will be no limit on the number of states that can participate. Read more from the IRS.

Real Estate Essentials, the TBA Real Estate Law Section's annual basics-level CLE, will take place virtually on June 20 from 1-4 p.m. CDT. The program will offer three hours of general CLE credit. The first session will focus on ALTA surveys, including what they are, why they are important and how they are used. The second session will cover deed considerations, requirements and types. Learn more or register here.