Attorneys from across the state gathered in Nashville on Wednesday for TBA's fourth annual "Day on the Hill." The day kicked off with remarks from House Majority Leader Rep. William Lamberth, R-Portland; Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Sen. Todd Gardenhire, R-Chattanooga; and Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee Vice Chair Sen. John Stevens, R-Huntingdon. The TBA presented the three legislators with President's Awards from Immediate Past President Ed Lanquist Jr. for their work in improving the state's indigent representation system. Participants then met with more than 45 legislators to discuss issues impacting the legal profession and the practice of law. Members of the TBA Leadership Law Class of 2026 also joined the legislative visits for the first time. The day concluded with the TBA's annual Big Shrimp legislative reception, giving TBA leaders and members a chance to meet with legislators in a casual setting to continue conversations on topics important to the profession. See photos from the day.

Tomorrow is the deadline to register for TBA’s 4th Annual Day on the Hill and 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.

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.

The Tennessee Supreme Court and the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) released a statement following the General Assembly’s approval of $17 million for a new indigent representation plan. The groups say the funding “will enable the Judicial Branch to address challenges with the retention and compensation of appointed counsel and enhance the delivery of indigent services across the state.” Chief Justice Holly Kirby also said, “This funding puts us in a financial position to take a transformational step forward to safeguard the fair and impartial administration of justice in Tennessee. It is the result of many hands and hearts working together to figure out a new and effective system to deliver representation to those who cannot afford counsel. Heartfelt thanks to our legislative leaders, the Governor’s Office, the district attorneys general and district public defenders across the state, and the Tennessee Bar Association for their collective effort and vision." Kirby also thanked the judges and appointed attorneys who “passionately and capably communicated … struggles with the current system and helped … formulate a new way forward.” Read the full statement.

The Tennessee General Assembly passed the budget for FY2025-2026 which includes an additional $17 million to fund the new Plan for Indigent Representation in Tennessee. TBA President Ed Lanquist Jr. reacted to the development saying, “The TBA thanks the General Assembly and Gov. Lee for making indigent representation funding a priority, and is especially grateful to Chief Justice Holly Kirby, the Tennessee Supreme Court and the Administrative Office of the Courts for their leadership and development of the Indigent Representation plan, which will result in better solutions to improve the system of indigent representation in Tennessee.” The budget is the one piece of legislation that lawmakers constitutionally are required to pass before adjournment. Once the budget is approved, lawmakers will consider matters “behind the budget” that received funding, as well as other priority items. The legislature is expected to adjourn early next week.

Do you have questions about how the proposed plan for indigent representation will work? Have you had experience as an appointed attorney that you would like to share? There are several ways to connect with TBA to share questions and experiences. Attorneys interested in learning more about TBA's grassroots advocacy efforts can sign up for TBA Grassroots Advocacy Updates, which will highlight related policy content. Attorneys with experience working with clients who are indigent or vulnerable are invited to complete this survey, which includes specific questions about court appointed representation. The TBA's continuing efforts to provide education and resources related to the state's system of appointed counsel also includes the Indigent Representation Primer series, which shares background and updates about indigent representation in Tennessee. More information is available on the TBA's Indigent Representation Resource page.

In this month's episode of BarBuzz, TBA Executive Director Sheree Wright speaks with Liz Todaro, TBA's director of access to justice and special projects, and John Farringer, a commercial litigator with Sherrard Roe Voigt & Harbison and TBA’s incoming president for the 2027-2028 bar year. The discussion focuses on the Administrative Office of the Courts’ plan for funding indigent representation. Get more information about indigent defense in Tennessee. Find past episodes of the podcast in the BarBuzz archive.

TBA’s Legislative Updates podcast is new this week, featuring TBA lobbyists Berkley Schwarz of Pier Strategies LLC, and Brad Lampley and Ashley Harbin of Adams and Reese. This week, they discuss Gov. Bill Lee's budget amendment, funding for the indigent representation plan, a recap of TBA's Day on the Hill and a look ahead to upcoming bills this session. Tune in to the podcast on the TBA website or through this link.

Following the Lee administration's release of its amended budget, which includes funding for the new plan for indigent representation in Tennessee, the General Assembly now will move forward with House and Senate consideration. The amended budget, introduced as HB1409/SB1431, has been referred to the House Finance, Ways and Means Subcommittee and the Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee. In the House, the subcommittee must first consider the bill before sending it to the full Finance, Ways and Means Committee and then on to the floor. In the Senate, the committee must consider the bill before forwarding it the floor. Amendments at each step of the process may be introduced. The legislature’s one constitutionally required charge is to pass a balanced budget, which is one of the last things it will do before adjourning for the year. Learn more about the plan and indigent representation in Tennessee.

Following the Lee administration's release of its amended budget, which includes funding for the new plan for indigent representation in Tennessee, the TBA will continue to work closely with the Tennessee Supreme Court and the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) on the new plan, including tracking its progress through the legislative process. The TBA is grateful for the support and advocacy of the legal community on this issue, and encourages lawyers to stay up to date on the work of TBA's Government Affairs team and share their own experiences with the indigent representation system. Learn more about the plan and indigent representation in Tennessee.