Can't join us for the full TBA Convention later this month? Or maybe you need to add a guest ticket? Individual tickets are available for purchase for Thursday's Public Service Breakfast, University of Tennessee College of Law Breakfast, University of Memphis School of Law Breakfast, Bench Bar Luncheon, Legal Community Reception and Dinner & Entertainment with the judges; as well as Friday's Lawyers Luncheon. Buy tickets here now through June 9. Tickets to individual CLE programs will be available for purchase on site at the TBA registration desk in the Peabody Hotel.

Did you miss the TBA Women in the Profession Committee's well-being webcast in April? If so, then join colleagues tomorrow for a rebroadcast at noon CDT. The speaker for this one-hour webcast will use research associated with increased alcohol and drug use; increased stress, anxiety and depression; and feelings of isolation to provide real world strategies to achieve wellness while facing daily professional challenges. Sign up for "Shift Happens — Surviving the Law Profession."

Belmont University College of Law announced a two-year pilot health care clinic that will be embedded at the Tennessee Justice Center (TJC). Funding for the “Healthcare Justice Clinic” will be provided by a $260,000 grant from the Speer Foundation. The clinic will be coordinated by a TJC staff attorney and staffed by Belmont law students who will be selected for the externship. Students will receive academic credit for the experience, which will also include a class focused on managing client cases. The effort is designed to expand TJC’s work of advocating for vulnerable Tennessee families. “There are way more Tennesseans who need help than our small staff can handle, so this new resource will make a powerful difference,” said Michele Johnson, TJC co-founder and executive director. Read more in a news release from the school.

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.