Open enrollment has begun for TBA’s BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee health plan, an affordable and high-quality association group insurance plan. This exclusive TBA plan is guaranteed issue, with no health questions and no pre-existing condition exclusions. Additionally, the plan includes a $15,000 life insurance policy for each enrolled employee. Don’t delay – get a quote today! Open enrollment ends on Dec. 13.

The TBA Health Law Section has partnered with organizations across the state to provide free advance health care directive clinics in each of Tennessee’s grand divisions. The section is seeking volunteer lawyers to assist with the effort. No previous experience is necessary and there will be experts on hand to answer questions. The first clinic will take place in Knoxville on Sept. 21 from 9 a.m. to noon EDT. A Nashville clinic will follow on Oct. 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. CDT. The Memphis clinic will take place Nov. 9, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. CDT. Please contact TBA Health Law Section Chair Ian Hennessey with questions and/or volunteer interest at ian.hennessey@amrllc.com.

Mississippi lawyer Louis Collins Walker was reinstated to the practice of law in Tennessee on Sept. 5, retroactive to Aug. 28. Walker had been placed on inactive status on Jan. 16, 2019. The Board of Professional Responsibility determined that the reinstatement petition was satisfactory and recommended that the court approve it.

Over the past two weeks, the Tennessee Supreme Court reinstated 15 lawyers who had been suspended for failing to complete annual continuing legal education requirements in 2023. See the list of those reinstated online.

Dedication, understanding, and LawPay. For Rose Immigration Law Firm, working each case with this motto in mind has helped ensure happier clients and faster payments. Watch a short video on the case study and learn about the benefits of LawPay's flexible payments. With options such as Quick Bill and QR code single-click billing, legal fee funding (which provides your firm with up-front payments while clients pay over time), and scheduled payments, your firm can experience better overall cash flow — while ensuring an exceptional client experience.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee says the state is working to resume executions, after an effective pause on the death penalty has continued for more than two years. Lee’s comments came during a session with reporters in Knoxville last week, WBIR reports. Among his comments, Lee said, "I think it's important that we move as quickly as we can, but take as long as we need to, to make sure we get it right. I've tasked our team with getting a protocol in place. This has to be done, it's the law of our state. We need to be in a position to fulfill that law. But as you know, if you don't have the correct protocols in place, then the outcomes are not what any of us want in this state. I suspect that we are closer than further from having a protocol in place and will be allowed then to continue that process." In April 2022, Lee paused executions moments before an inmate was scheduled to die citing issues with protocols. He then launched an independent review of the lethal injection preparation process. According to reports, the state struggled to follow its own lethal injection rules at several steps, including the chemicals' testing and storage prior to the pause. WKRN also has details of Lee's recent remarks.

The Tennessee Worker’s Compensation Appeals Board will hear three cases on Oct. 1 in Knoxville. Oral arguments will start at 9 a.m. EDT. The cases are: Gary Dingus v. Grand Piano and Furniture Co., in which the trial court denied a defense of willful failure to wear a safety device; John Oldham v. Freeman Webb Realtors, in which the trial court awarded permanent total disability after applying the direct and natural consequences rule; and Bibiane Francoeur v. Amerimed Medical Solutions LLC, in which the trial court awarded temporary disability benefits for an employee who was under a “no-driving” restriction but was not provided with transportation to work.

Shelby County Chancellor Melanie Taylor Jefferson will hear initial arguments in the Memphis City Council’s suit to include gun referendum questions on the November ballot later this month, the Daily Memphian reports. The hearing, set for Sept. 16, will test whether the council may proceed with plans to include the ballot questions despite guidance from Tennessee Elections Coordinator Mark Goins and Secretary of State Tre Hargett that the ballot additions would illegally preempt state law. The council sued over that decision last week.

The Belmont University College of Law’s Law Review will host its annual fall symposium later this month. The 2024 event, set for Sept. 27 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. CDT, will focus on “Contemporary Issues in Technology and the Law.” Speakers include U.S. practioners, including three from the Nashville area, as well as from New Zealand. The cost of $20 includes a breakfast and lunch. Learn more or register here.

The TBA Young Lawyers Division (YLD) is planning its first expungement clinic in Campbell County on Sept. 14. The group will be partnering with the Legal Aid Society to expunge criminal records. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to noon EDT at the Campbell County Justice Center. Volunteer attorneys are needed and should plan to arrive by 8:30 a.m. for an orientation. Experts will be on site to help guide volunteers and answer any questions. To assist, please email Tomi Robb.