What is ROI? How is a general ledger different from a balance sheet? What is an SEC Form 10-K? Register for this Accounting 101 webcast, May 17 at noon CDT, to learn about these topics and more. This program will cover the essential principles of accounting that attorneys should know, including how accounting can be crucial to certain cases, how to read and understand key financial documents and how to know which financial questions you should be asking your clients, as well as which documents you need from your clients—or opposing counsel.

A bill moving through the legislature would change how Knoxville voters elect city council members. Currently, when voters head to the polls during city primary elections, they are allowed to vote for candidates only in their district. During the city general elections, however, Knoxville voters are able to vote for candidates in all districts. The bill, HB 0817, was introduced by Rep. Elaine Davis, R-Knoxville. It would delete a section from the Tennessee code that created the voting rule exemptions for cities and counties of specific sizes (currently Knoxville and Morristown are the only two cities that utilize the exemption). Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville, voted against the bill. She said she believes it would cause more confusion surrounding local elections, saying many people in her district, which includes Knoxville, have spent decades voting in city elections every two years and would need to change their voting habits. WBIR Channel 10 News in Knoxville has the story.

A swearing in ceremony for Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti will take place April 3 at 2 p.m. CDT at Ware Memorial Auditorium in Nashville. A short program will include featured guests: Gov. Bill Lee; Congressman David Kustoff; Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger A. Page, Justices Sharon G. Lee, Jeffrey S. Bivins, Holly Kirby and Sarah K. Campbell; and Butler Snow partner and former U.S. Attorney for the Western District, Ed Stanton. A reception will follow the ceremony. Please RSVP via Eventbrite. View the invitation.

Join the Dispute Resolution Section for its annual forum on May 19 featuring carefully crafted sessions tailored to both lawyers and mediators, and offering attendees a program featuring accomplished professionals from the ADR vocation. Stay tuned for more information!

The American Mock Trial Association’s (AMTA) 38th Annual National Championship Tournament is being held at Rhodes College in Memphis April 14-16. If you are interested in serving as a judge, please register here.

Dedra Brown, Elizabeth Luminoso and Kimberly Trotter, all 3Ls at Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law, have been nominated as spring 2023 fellows to work alongside the American Bar Association Legal Education and Police Practices Consortium. Trotter is the newest LMU Law addition to the fellowship, as Luminoso and Brown both participated as fall 2022 fellows. The consortium is a collaboration of approximately 60 law schools across the country. Its mission is to collaborate with law schools “to advance the practice of policing, promote racial equity in the criminal legal system, and eliminate policing tactics that are racially motivated or have a disparate impact based on race.” The fellows will help advance these goals by forming connections in the Knoxville law enforcement community, gathering information on local police practices, and assisting in the research efforts of the consortium.

The United Nations General Assembly designates today as International Day of Women Judges. The representation of women in the judiciary is significant for many reasons. In addition to ensuring that the legal system is developed with all of society in mind, it also inspires the next generation of female judges and motivates them to achieve their goals. Learn how you can celebrate this year’s theme of “Women in Justice, Women for Justice.”

Attorney Matt Wilson was confirmed yesterday by the General Assembly as the newest member of the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals – Western Section. Wilson was appointed by Gov. Bill Lee in January after a lengthy application process that included a public hearing. He fills the vacancy left after the passing of Judge John Everett Williams in September 2022. Wilson was sworn in as a judge immediately after his confirmation. He has most recently served as an assistant U.S. attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, a position he has held since 2011.

Attorney Dwight E. Tarwater yesterday was officially confirmed by the General Assembly as the newest justice on the Tennessee Supreme Court. Justice-designate Tarwater was nominated by Gov. Bill Lee in January after a lengthy application process that included a public hearing. He will take the bench on Sept. 1, following the retirement of current Justice Sharon G. Lee. Justice-designate Tarwater served as general counsel to former Gov. Bill Haslam from 2014 to 2019, a position he accepted after decades of work as a trial and appellate attorney in Knoxville. Justice-designate Tarwater has served on the board of directors of Legal Aid of East Tennessee, the Volunteer Legal Assistance Program and the Pro Bono Project.

TBA’s Legislative Updates podcast is new with TBA Director of Public Policy & Government Affairs Berkley Schwarz and Adams and Reese attorney and TBA lobbyist, Brad Lampley. This week they discuss HB1162/SB775, the Tennessee Revised Uniform Arbitration Act; TBA's two adoption law bills, HB854/SB919 and HB855/SB921; HB647/SB1313, TBA's medical records bill; HB40/SB122, legislation prohibiting foreign ownership of real property by nonresident aliens; HB795/SB283 the "Guns in the Courthouse" bill; and HB1177/SB710, the Tennessee Domestic Relations Arbitration Act. The program airs each week during the session on TBA’s Facebook page. It is also released as a podcast on the same day and can be found on the TBA’s website or wherever you listen to podcasts.