The Tennessee Justice Center hosted a celebration on Nov. 12 to mark its 20 years of service and to induct the organization’s founders into the “TJC Hall of Fame.” James Martin, whose son benefitted from representation by TJC, addresses the nearly 400 guests at the event at the Musicians Hall of Fame in Nashville. The honored founders included: Margaret Behm, Mike Cody, Harlan Dodson, Harris Gilbert, Riney Green, David Herbert, Lowry Kline, Howard Vogel and Ashley Wiltshire. Photo at right by Liz Todaro.

Apply for TBA Positions by Feb. 15

During 2016, the following officers, governors and delegates of the Tennessee Bar Association (TBA) will be elected as set forth in the association’s bylaws:

TBA Officers and Board of Governors

A vice president (from the Middle Tennessee Grand Division — elected by the association’s membership-at-large). The vice president automatically assumes the office of president-elect in 2018 and president in 2019.

Court Adopts Revisions Regarding E-filing System

By Amelia Ferrell on Fri, 11/06/2015 - 5:07pm

TBA Elections To Be Electronic

Beginning with the upcoming 2016 elections, the Tennessee Bar Association elections will be primarily carried out electronically — using online balloting. This change was approved by the TBA Board of Governors at its annual meeting in June under bylaw changes adopted by the TBA. Young Lawyers Division elections will also be conducted using the same procedure.

TBA ELECTIONS TO BE ELECTRONIC

Beginning with the upcoming 2016 elections, the Tennessee Bar Association elections will be primarily carried out electronically — using online balloting. This change was approved by the TBA Board of Governors at its annual meeting in June under bylaw changes adopted by the TBA. Young Lawyers Division elections will also be conducted using the same procedure.

TELL YOUR STORY ABOUT PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS

The Tennessee Bar Association supports funding for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program that allows recent law school graduates and other professionals to enter and continue working full time in public service jobs in government and the nonprofit sector. Under the program, individuals may qualify for forgiveness of their remaining loan balance. The TBA has joined the American Bar Association and a broad range of groups in support of the program, as it could be eliminated by Congress.

Process to Fill Supreme Court Vacancy Underway

By Amelia Ferrell on Wed, 09/09/2015 - 2:39pm

Young Lawyers Earn 3 National Awards

The Tennessee Bar Association Young Lawyers Division (YLD) was honored at the American Bar Association YLD meeting in Chicago in August with three Awards of Achievement.
The group took second place in the diversity category for a program it held last March to help diverse law students refine their resumes and prepare for job interviews. It also received the second place award in the “comprehensive” category, which recognizes all projects and activities from the past bar year.

TBA: Only Minor Changes Needed in Code of Judicial Conduct

By Barry Kolar on Thu, 08/13/2015 - 5:42pm

SAME-SEX MARRIAGE BANS DON’T STAND, ALL TENNESSEE COUNTIES COMPLY

The U.S. Supreme Court on June 26 ruled that the 14th Amendment to the Constitution guarantees a nationwide right to same-sex marriage. The 5-4 decision in Obergefell v. Hodges finds that the court has long recognized the right to marry as a fundamental right, and that all of the same principles on which it has relied in cases involving opposite-sex couples should apply equally to same-sex marriages. Chief Justice John Roberts read a summary of his dissent from the bench — the first time he has ever done so.