The TBA received the Excellence in Continuing Education Programming Award for the Young Lawyers Division's (YLD) "Rookie's Guide Series" from the Tennessee Society of Association Executives (TNSAE) at the group's annual meeting on Nov. 13. The curated series fills a unique need in the legal community, offering a “crash course” for young lawyers to learn the basics of a range of practice areas. Members of the TBA YLD suggested the series concept based on their own experiences in the first few years following law school. For many lawyers, the law school experience focuses on overarching legal concepts, but does not provide practical insights into the range of legal issues lawyers are asked to handle, leaving a gap following graduation. The series fills that gap by providing an honest look at the practice areas covered, including basic issues a lawyer should expect to encounter as well as the ethical and other pitfalls to avoid when handling cases in this area. TNSAE President Edithann Buckles Wadewitz presented the award to TBA's Executive Assistant Karen Belcher, who was at the award ceremony representing the association.

Four people have been arrested and charged in a drug smuggling scheme at the Shelby County Jail. Two corrections deputies, an inmate and the inmate's girlfriend were charged with bribery of a public servant, possession of contraband in a penal facility and possessing marijuana with the intent to distribute. The deputies were further charged with official misconduct. The Daily Memphian reports that Sheriff Floyd Bonner estimated that during the scheme, those involved made “thousands of dollars.” He also noted that smuggling occurs at prisons and jails around the country, requiring continual vigilance on the part of law enforcement.

The company Walton Tennessee and three of its investors have filed a lawsuit challenging a new state law set to go into effect Jan. 1, 2025, that will prohibit people living in China, Iran, North Korea and other countries subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations from owning land in Tennessee. The Tennessean reports that the law states that foreign owners have to divest their property by the start of the year or face criminal prosecution and civil penalties, including eventually losing their land without compensation. The plaintiffs are a U.S. citizen living in Shanghai, an Italian citizen living in Hong Kong and a U.S. citizen in South Carolina who say that they, along with other investors living in the U.S., will lose more than $100 million if the state takes their properties.

Four Tennessee attorneys were inducted as fellows in the American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL) at the group's annual meeting in Nashville in September. Charles Malone, a partner in K&L Gates' Nashville office; Donna Mikel, founding partner of Mikel & Hamill in Chattanooga; Christopher Poole, of counsel to Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel in Chattanooga; and Christopher Vescovo, managing partner of Lewis Thomason's Memphis office, were among the 88 inductees from the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. Fellowship in the ACTL, which was founded in 1950, is extended by invitation only to experienced trial lawyers of diverse backgrounds, who have mastered the art of advocacy and whose professional careers have been marked by the highest standards of ethical conduct, professionalism, civility and collegiality. Lawyers must have a minimum of 15 years trial experience before being eligible. Membership also is limited to no more than one percent of the total lawyer population of any state or province.

The Tennessee Bar Association will hold its first-ever Conference on Artificial Intelligence & the Law (TCAIL) in Nashville on Dec. 6. Today, TBA is announcing a special registration rate for the month of November and the final speaker line up. The day will begin with an introductory session presented by TBA AI Task Force Chair A.J. Bahou, followed by sessions on AI and the substantive practice of law, including how AI impacts legal research, document generation, e-discovery and more. Next up will be a dynamic judicial panel moderated by Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Sarah Campbell where judges and former judges like Penny White, Jimmy Turner and Tom Greenholtz will share insights into how AI can affect evidence evaluation. Afternoon sessions will address the ethical implications of AI in legal practice, led by Brian Faughnan, and close with an exploration of AI in digital evidence and investigations. Given the importance of learning more about this rapidly changing technological advancement and to make this innovative program accessible to all lawyers, the registration price has been reduced for the month of November to $150 for TBA members and just $100 for Law Tech and General Solo & Small Firm Section members. Non-members can attend for $350, which includes TBA membership! Don't miss out on this opportunity! Register today.

Collierville Municipal Court Judge Lee Ann Pafford Dobson today ruled that a case involving the shooting death of a Collierville orthopedic doctor will proceed to a grand jury after finding probable cause the defendant committed the crime. The Daily Memphian reports that Larry Pickens is charged with first-degree murder and aggravated assault of Dr. Benjamin Mauck in July 2023. If the grand jury indicts Pickens, the case will then go to the Shelby County Criminal Court for trial. A new state law named after Mauck mandates a minimum sentence of 30 days in jail and a $5,000 fine for misdemeanor assaults within health care facilities. An older law states officers cannot make arrests for misdemeanor assaults unless they witness the incident and must issue a warrant instead. The conflict between the two laws is raising questions about how to resolve differences.

The TBA Young Lawyers Division (YLD) is sponsoring a webcast on Nov. 21 beginning at noon CST titled "What Attorneys Must Know About Secondary and Vicarious Trauma." A panel of speakers will explore how exposure to the traumatic experiences of clients can affect lawyers' mental health and overall well-being. Panelists also will share ways attorneys can safeguard their mental health and support colleagues. Speakers include S. Chris Troutt, CEO of the Papillon Center; psychotherapist and behavioral health executive Lindsey O'Connell; and clinical psychologist Dr. Brynda Quinn. YLD member Patrick Morrison will moderate the discussion. 

The Department of Children's Services (DCS) is requesting $6 million to expand its contract with Youth Villages, whose “Intercept” program brings intensive three-day-per-week services into the homes of families in crisis to address problems that include parental substance abuse, kids in trouble at school and child neglect, reports the Tennessee Lookout. That is an increase of $189 million over last year's budget. DCS says it will use $6 million of the total to expand the program to families in rural Tennessee counties, saying those areas experience the highest rates of children being removed from their families. The additional funds in the request include $8 million for privately-contracted social workers, $41 million for residential care for kids with medical and psychiatric needs and $1.5 million for nurses.

The Tennessee Trial Court Vacancy Commission met in Sevierville to select nominees for a circuit court judge in the 4th Judicial District, which includes Cocke, Grainger, Jefferson and Sevier counties. After holding a public hearing and conducting public interviews, the commission voted to recommend Dandridge lawyer Jeremy D. Ball, Rutledge lawyer S. Lane Wolfenbarger and Knoxville lawyer Luke A. Shipley to Gov. Bill Lee for his consideration. Read more about the candidates from the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts.

The Nashville chapter of the American Constitution Society (ACS) will host its annual U.S. Supreme Court Preview on Nov. 18 from noon to 1 p.m. CDT at Bass Berry & Sims. Elizabeth B. Wydra, president of the Constitutional Accountability Center, will be the featured speaker. During her tenure, Wydra has filed more than 200 briefs with the Supreme Court, including those on behalf of constitutional scholars and historians, state and local governments, groups such as the League of Women Voters and AARP, and members of Congress. Get more information or register for the event.