The TBA will hold an afternoon conversation with Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Holly Kirby and Justice Dwight Tarwater at Burch, Porter & Johnson in Memphis on March 7 from 2:30-4 p.m. CST. Moderated by attorneys Will Perry and Buck Wellford, the panel will discuss each justice's path to the bench, the importance of mentors, the manner in which the justices interact, the importance of the Rule of Law in our society, and more. The event will wrap up with a networking reception from 4:30-6:30 p.m. CST. Make plans today to attend this unique program and reserve your spot soon as space is limited. All members of the legal community are invited to attend the free reception. No reservation for the reception is required.

Join the TBA's Tort & Insurance Law Section on Feb. 13 for its annual forum, presented virtually this year. The three-hour general, one-hour dual CLE program will feature sessions on health care liability, how to read and understand medical reports, updates on the Anti-SLAPP statute and ethics. Get more info or register.

On Monday, the Tennessee Supreme Court reinstated the law licenses of two attorneys who had been on inactive status. Memphis lawyer and former federal judge Bernice Bouie Donald had been on inactive status since March 26, 2012. She was reinstated effective Jan. 26. Florida lawyer Tracey Robinson-Coffee had been on inactive status since April 23, 2013. She was reinstated effective Jan. 11.

The U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee is accepting comments regarding the reappointment of two incumbent magistrate judges: U.S. Magistrate Judge Alistair Newbern and U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffery S. Frensley. Newbern’s term will expire on Aug. 31, while Frensley’s term will expire on Oct. 9. Comments from the public and the legal community are encouraged and should be submitted by March 31 by email to MJComments@tnmd.uscourts.gov. Read more in a release from the court.

Former Republican lawmaker Scott Campbell is claiming he was forced to resign as part of a cover-up for a Republican leader, WKRN reports. Campbell quit the legislature in 2023 after sexual harassment allegations came to light. A state investigation found Campbell violated harassment policy in his interaction with an intern. Campbell defended the interactions as “consensual” conversations. Now he is suing for records he says will help clear his name.

State Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville, has confirmed that she plans to run for her current state House District 90 seat in addition to running for the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn. The Tennessee Journal reports that Johnson says she is aware of attempts to block that ability. Legislation that would bar candidates for state and federal offices from appearing on primary or general election ballots for two or more offices is being promoted by two Knoxville Republicans: Senate State and Local Government Chair Richard Briggs and Rep. Dave Wright. The bill would allow for a few exceptions, including if the candidate already holds two offices and for purely political offices such as party state executive committees.

Just a few spots remain to travel to Ireland with the TBA in May. The Law & Culture in Ireland CLE program will take place May 7-13. Two travel options are available: a four-night trip to Dublin and a six-night trip to Dublin and Belfast. In conjunction with CLE Abroad, travelers will engage with local experts, academics, officials and change makers who will offer in-depth commentary on the EU and UK legal-political systems, economics, environmental justice, history and religion. In Dublin, the group also will explore ancient castles, visit landmarks, museums and notable legal institutions, and sample local cuisine. In Belfast, travelers will learn about the region's unique political history, the Good Friday Agreement, ongoing reconciliation efforts and the peace process. Add on trips to the West Coast and Cliffs of Moher also are available. View a brochure here.

In addition to the opportunity to view the first episode of Henry Louis Gates Jr.'s history series in Chattanooga, a free watch party is scheduled for the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville. The event will take place Monday from 6-9 p.m. CST at the museum, located at 510 Broadway, Nashville 37203. A panel discussion will follow the screening. Sponsored by the museum and Nashville Public Radio, the event will feature the first installment of a four-part series that takes a deep dive into the origin story of Black spirituality through sermon and song. RSVP here.

The Napier-Looby Bar Association (NLBA) has a number of programs and events scheduled throughout the month in honor of Black History Month. These include the inaugural NLBA Day on the Hill on Feb. 20, a program for pre-law students on Feb. 21 and a program on banned books on Feb. 27. The Day on the Hill will include a discussion with state Sen. Rameush Akbari, D-Memphis, attending committee meetings and experiencing a mock legislative session. Sign up here to participate or email napierlooby@gmail.com with any questions. In addition, the Napier-Looby Bar Foundation will hold its 17th Annual Barristers’ Banquet and Awards Program on Feb. 22 at 14 Tenn in Nashville. The reception, which will take place before the banquet, will honor the late Judge Richard Dinkins. Tickets are available for purchase. Questions about the event can be directed to napierloobybarfoundation@gmail.com.

The Tennessee Supreme Court yesterday upheld 11 convictions against David Eady, which stemmed from a string of robberies that occurred in Nashville in November 2017. The court reversed a 12th conviction and called for a new trial on that charge, holding that the trial court erred in denying a motion to sever the offense. The defendant had sought to disqualify the Davidson County District Attorney’s office from prosecuting him because Glenn Funk had represented him in a different case in 1989. The trial, appellate and supreme court rejected that argument. The Supreme Court did, however, overturn the two lower courts in determining that one of the charges should have been tried separately. Read more about the ruling in State v. David Wayne Eady.