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.

Following a federal judge’s ruling yesterday denying the state’s request for a temporary restraining order against NCAA rules regarding name, image and likeness (NIL) benefits for student athletes, Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti released the following statement: “In today’s opinion, a federal judge said Tennessee and Virginia are likely to prevail in their antitrust suit against the NCAA. Although the court declined to issue a temporary restraining order, the judge reasoned the NCAA can be held monetarily liable for any harms, thus negating the need for a TRO.” He continues, “Tennessee remains committed to protecting the rights of our student-athletes. We look forward to litigating this case and enforcing the law.” Tennessee and Virginia filed suit against the NCAA in January alleging the NIL rules violate federal antitrust laws.

Save the date for TBA's 28th Annual Labor & Employment Forum, set for May 3 in Nashville. The annual program brings together professionals, labor and employment attorneys and in-house counsel, and features top labor and employment professionals who will provide practical insight on emerging trends and critical issues. The program will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. CDT. See the line up of speakers on the course registration page.

Those interested in running for an elected office with the Tennessee Bar Association or as a TBA delegate to the American Bar Association (ABA) House of Delegates have until Feb. 15 to qualify for the 2024 ballot. Positions open this year on the TBA Board of Governors include a new vice president from the state's West Grand Division, four district governors and six grand division governors. For the ABA House of Delegates, four positions are available. To qualify for any of these roles, candidates must file a nominating petition, including the signatures of 25 TBA members in good standing, with the TBA executive director by emailing barED@tnbar.org, or by mail to 3310 West End Ave., Ste. 590, Nashville, TN 37203. The TBA’s website has more information on the election process and the list of available positions.

Judge Jane Branstetter Stranch is planning to step down from active service on the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, according to a report from Reuters. Stranch, appointed by former president Barack Obama, plans to take senior status following confirmation of a successor. Prior to joining the court, Stranch was managing partner of Branstetter Stranch & Jennings in Nashville with a practice focused on labor and employee benefit matters. The move gives President Joe Biden another appointment to the court. The president has not yet nominated a replacement for Judge Julia Smith Gibbons, also from Tennessee, who said in August that she would take senior status once a successor was confirmed. Senior status is a form of semi-retirement for judges over the age of 65 who have completed at least 15 years of service on the federal bench.

On Feb. 1, Gov. Bill Lee nominated Shelby County Circuit Court Judge Mary L. Wagner to fill an upcoming vacancy on the Tennessee Supreme Court, the Administrative Office of the Courts reports. “Mary is a highly qualified judge who will bring significant experience to the Tennessee Supreme Court,” Gov. Lee said in making the announcement. Wagner will fill a vacancy that will occur when Justice Roger A. Page retires on Aug. 31. Wagner, 39, is a TBA member and alumna of the association's Leadership Law Program. She earned her law degree from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law and was appointed to the circuit court in 2016 by then-Gov. Bill Haslam. She won reelection in 2018 and 2022. Her nomination now must be approved by the General Assembly. The Tennessean has more on the process.

Tennessee Bar Association members now have access to discounted pet insurance through Spot, “America's Most Loved Pet Insurance.” Receive up to 90% cash back on eligible veterinary bills for accidents, illnesses and more. Preventative care coverage also is available. There are no restrictions on providers so policy holders can visit any vet in the U.S. or Canada. Participants also have access to a 24/7 pet health helpline at no additional cost. Get your quick, easy and free quote today. And be sure to check out all of TBA's insurance programs, including preferred providers for malpractice insurance. Ruby belongs to TBA Human Resources & Administrative Coordinator Tanja Trezise. She is an English Setter who loves to run and chase squirrels, and her favorite food is cheese. Watch for more introductions to staff pets as we roll out this new member benefit!

The TBA Young Lawyers Division (YLD) is back with two new installments of its Rookie's Guide Series, which is designed to shed light on the foundational pillars of various legal disciplines. Each segment offers a deep dive into a practice area, ranging from the structured world of employment law to the nuances of family law. Specially curated for the next generation of Tennessee's legal professionals, this series promises more than knowledge — it paves the path to excellence. The February installment of the series will focus on family law, with topics such as divorce proceedings, child custody conflicts and adoption processes. In March, the series will focus on estate planning, with sessions on drafting, trust creation and asset protection. If you missed the initial offering in December, check out the personal injury installment now available on demand.