After its IP webcast series installment on April 1, the TBA Intellectual Property Section will host its next series session on April 8 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. CDT. This webcast will explore how LKQ Corp. v. GM Global Tech. Operations LLC changed the obviousness test for design patents and what the change means on a practical level for design patent practitioners. Attendees also will learn how examiner training post-LKQ may impact design prosecution and how to handle obviousness rejections in the current landscape. The webcast will feature speaker Elizabeth Shah, a patent attorney with the Washington, D.C.-based law firm Bookoff McAndrews. Intellectual Property Section members save on registration costs. Not a member? Join now!

The TBA Pro Bono Portal provides a centralized source for lawyers and law students to find pro bono opportunities across Tennessee, like the following case through West Tennessee Legal Services (WTLS). A client is seeking a conservatorship for their adult disabled daughter. WTLS has an updated physician affidavit on file. Get more information about the requirements associated with this opportunity or browse other pro bono needs. A free half hour CLE is available on the TBA’s website to introduce attorneys to this innovative platform. The webcast includes a live demonstration of the portal and shows attorneys how to search and sign up for pro bono opportunities in their practice areas.

Join the University of Tennessee Winston College of Law for the 26th Annual Julian Blackshear Jr. Scholarship Gala, a tradition honoring one of Winston Law’s first Black graduates and celebrating the school's commitment to expanding access to legal education. This event supports the Julian Blackshear Scholarship Endowment, which helps recruit exceptional future students. Iké Adeyemi, senior vice president, chief legal officer and corporate secretary of Eastman Chemical is this year’s keynote speaker. Attendees should register by March 13.

Make plans now to join colleagues on April 10 in Nashville for the inaugural Business College, sponsored by the TBA's Young Lawyers Division (YLD). The program is designed as a practical refresher and foundation course for new and young attorneys, or for any lawyer who wants to brush up on the basics of transactional law. Geared toward real-world practice, the program focuses on core concepts, ethical considerations and emerging issues in business law, with hands-on guidance and takeaways attendees can use right away to more confidently and efficiently handle a wide range of business legal matters for their clients. Visit the TBA's website for more information and to register.

In honor of National Consumer Protection Week, the Tennessee Attorney General’s (AG) Office Division of Consumer Affairs (DCA) on Monday announced the top 10 complaint categories for 2025. In addition, DCA announced that it helped Tennessee consumers recover more than $3.6 million in cash, merchandise and services in 2025 through its voluntary mediation program. Last year, DCA received 9,938 formal consumer complaints and worked to route each to the appropriate agency or mediate disputes directly between consumers and businesses. The division’s informal mediation process provides a free, good-faith pathway to resolve disagreements involving purchases of products or services for personal or household use. “Our goal is simple — help Tennesseans resolve disputes and protect their hard-earned money,” said AG Jonathan Skrmetti. “In 2025, that work translated into real results for thousands of families across the state.” Read more in a press release.

Three candidates for Knox County General Session Court, Division 6, judge recently were profiled by Knox TN Today. The candidates — Andrea Kline and Rhonda Lee on the Republican ballot and Ben Houston II as the sole Democratic candidate — share their views on why they want to serve on the bench, what their top three priorities are for the court, how they will make good use of taxpayer money and more. The primary will be held May 5. The winners will face off in the general election on Aug. 6.

Shelby County attorney Handel R. Durham Jr. received a public censure from the Tennessee Supreme Court on March 3. The court found that Durham mistakenly believed that an existing client had retained both him and another attorney for a separate matter and that the representation would be under the same arrangement as the existing representation. There was no written fee agreement executed for the new matter. The attorneys then improperly attempted to collect a contingency fee of approximately 33.3% from the client. These actions were found to violate Rules of Professional Conduct 1.5(c), 7.1 and 8.4(a).

The family of Matthew De'Marcus Williams, a 22-year-old shot and killed during a Memphis Allies SWITCH program meeting on April 9, 2025, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Youth Villages seeking $35 million in damages. SWITCH enlists people whom it identifies as being at the highest risk for engaging in gun violence; Williams was a participant. The Daily Memphian reports that attorneys for Williams' family allege the organization ignored multiple warning signs — including a known conflict between rival gang members attending the same sessions and the shooting death of another participant just two days prior — and failed to take additional safety precautions. In a statement, Youth Villages maintained that safety has always been a top priority, noting that metal detectors, armed security and other measures were in place that day, and that the organization has evaluated and enhanced its security protocols since the incident.

The Tennessee Supreme Court on March 2 publicly censured Union County lawyer Anthony Marvin Avery for actions during representation of a client in a partition action. During the representation, the court found that Avery failed to provide his client with copies of relevant pleadings and following termination, failed to provide the client with her file. Upon termination of services by the client, Avery delayed his withdrawal and while still counsel of record, attended litigation related matters and failed to protect the interests of his client. The court found that Avery violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.2, 1.3, 1.16 and 8.4(a).

Don't miss out on TBA’s 4th Annual Day on the Hill and the Big Shrimp legislative reception! This year's events will take place March 18 in Nashville, beginning at 10:30 a.m. CDT at the Cordell Hull Building with presentations from TBA’s lobbying team and members of the General Assembly. Attendees then will meet with various legislators throughout the day, focusing on building relationships, championing TBA’s legislative priorities and advocating for elimination of the professional privilege tax. After the day’s meetings, attendees are invited to join colleagues, lawmakers and legislative staff at Hotel Indigo Nashville from 5-7 p.m. for the perennial favorite Big Shrimp legislative reception. The hotel is located at 315 Union St., Nashville 37201. Register here or email govaffairs@tnbar.org with questions.