The annual Bench Bar Luncheon will take place June 12 as part of the TBA’s Convention as lawyers and judges from across the state gather to recognize judicial service. The keynote address will be given by Nashville lawyer Ed Yarbrough, of counsel with Spencer Fane, where he represents clients in major criminal cases and high-stakes civil litigation. Yarbrough has tried more than 160 jury cases, including more than 40 homicide cases, and has served as both prosecuting and defense attorney in matters involving white-collar crime, wrongful death, personal injury and public corruption cases. A successful trial lawyer for more than 40 years, his public service included serving as the U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee from 2007 to 2010. Also at the luncheon, Shelby County Criminal Court Judge Chris Craft will be recognized with TBA’s Justice Frank F. Drowota III Outstanding Judicial Service Award and Nashville lawyer Margaret Behm will receive the Judge Pamela L. Reeves Tennessee Professionalism Award, given jointly by the TBA and the Tennessee American Inns of Court. Make plans now to join your colleagues at this annual favorite!

At the TBA Convention, the annual favorite “Legislative Update" will provide attendees with a comprehensive overview of recent legislative changes impacting Tennessee lawyers. Hosted by TBA's government affairs team, the session will feature insights from Berkley Schwarz of Pier Strategies, along with Brad Lampley and Ashley Harbin of Adams & Reese, as they break down key developments from the latest session of the Tennessee General Assembly. Learn more about this session and other convention CLE programs on the TBA website.

The reporting staff of the Nashville Banner will receive the Tennessee Bar Association’s 2025 Fourth Estate Award for its reporting last year on the Nashville criminal court system. The award will be presented at the 2025 Lawyers Luncheon set for June 13 as part of the TBA’s Annual Convention in Franklin. Throughout 2024, the Nashville Banner published a series of stories designed to bring transparency and accountability to the Davidson County Criminal Court. Among the issues covered was the court’s decision to remove computers that previously had provided public access to court records, and subsequent changes in the process of how to access those records. In announcing the award, TBA President Ed Lanquist Jr. said, “Nashville Banner news staff demonstrated tenacious and courageous reporting last year as they worked to bring visibility to issues impacting the operations of the Nashville criminal court system. We thank them and honor them for that important contribution.” Read more in the TBA’s press release.

This year’s Bench Bar program “Lawyers Making History” offers a unique opportunity to hear from Tennessee judges, practicing lawyers and those who were there when history was made! The first of three sessions will look at famous Tennessee trials as Chattanooga lawyer Russell Fowler explores landmark cases that shaped our state’s legal landscape. The second session will feature trailblazing women as they reflect on their experiences breaking judicial barriers. Speakers include retired U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Martha Craig "Cissy" Daughtrey, U.S. District Court Judge Aleta Trauger from the Middle District of Tennessee, and Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Camille McMullen. Nashville lawyer Margaret Behm will moderate the discussion. The final session will take a deep dive into one of Tennessee’s most controversial political and legal events: the Blanton pardon scandal. Don’t miss the opportunity to hear from Nashville lawyer Hal Hardin, author and columnist Keel Hunt, and former Tennessee Gov. and U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander. Make plans to join your colleagues for this program — taking place June 12 from 9-11:45 a.m. CDT at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs — as well as other educational programs being planned. Still need to register for convention? Get started here.

The special TBA group rate for the 2025 Annual Convention in Nashville has been extended through May 21 at 5 p.m. CDT. Make your reservation now at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs to take advantage of this exclusive rate. This year’s convention, set for June 11–14, features engaging programming, valuable networking opportunities and memorable social events. Don’t miss out — book your room today!

Nashville lawyer Laura Kidwell will receive the Tennessee Bar Association’s (TBA) prestigious Justice Joseph W. Henry Award for Outstanding Legal Writing on June 13 during the group's Annual Convention in Franklin. The award, which will be presented at the Lawyers Luncheon, was established more than 40 years ago and is given each year to the lawyer who writes the most outstanding article published in the Tennessee Bar Journal for the preceding year. Kidwell is being honored for her article It Is So Ordered: A Primer on Tennessee’s Final Judgment Rule, which appeared in the March/April 2024 issue of the Journal. Kidwell is a legal consultant for the University of Tennessee (UT) – Municipal Technical Advisory Service where she serves cities and towns in Middle Tennessee. Prior to joining UT last fall, she served at the Office of the Tennessee Attorney General (AG) and Reporter in the Solicitor General’s Office. 

In announcing the selection of Kidwell, TBA President Ed Lanquist Jr. said, “Laura's winning article is exactly what the Joe Henry Award sets out to honor: straightforward and concise writing that explains the legal process of the final judgment rule in civil actions, as well as its exceptions.” The award is named for Joseph W. Henry, a former chief justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court, who was known for his forthright and clear writing. Read more in a press release from the TBA.

The special TBA group rate for the 2025 Annual Convention in Nashville has been extended through May 21 at 5 p.m. CDT Make your reservation now at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs to take advantage of this exclusive rate. This year’s convention, set for June 11–14, features engaging programming, valuable networking opportunities and memorable social events. Don’t miss out — book your room today!

Make your hotel reservations now for the 2025 TBA Annual Convention in Nashville. The special TBA rate at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs expires May 19. This year's convention, June 11-14, is packed with compelling programming, networking opportunities and social events. Make your reservation now!

Among the CLE programs being offered at this year's Annual Convention, the TBA will present  "AI in the Life of a Lawyer" on June 12 from 2-3 p.m. CDT. The session, which will offer one hour of dual credit, will explore how attorneys are using artificial intelligence in practice, with real case studies and demonstrations. The panel also will examine the ethical considerations and potential risks of AI, offering practical guidance for Tennessee lawyers navigating the evolving role of AI in the legal profession. Speakers include TBA President Ed Lanquist Jr. and attorneys Bruce Doeg and Clint Sanko of Baker Donelson.

Nashville lawyer Margaret Behm will be honored next month with the Judge Pamela L. Reeves Tennessee Professionalism Award from the Tennessee Bar Association (TBA) and Tennessee’s American Inns of Court. Behm, an attorney with Dodson Parker Behm & Capparella, is being recognized for her selfless contributions to the legal profession, which include a number of “firsts,” including serving as the first chair of the Tennessee Judicial Selection Commission and the Tennessee Supreme Court’s Access to Justice Commission. In announcing this year's recipient, TBA President Ed Lanquist Jr. said, “Margaret Behm has spent her career in service to the legal profession advancing the best things about our practice. While she has promoted the role of all lawyers, she has specifically promoted the role of women by serving as a mentor and an inspiration to many, including many serving on the bench today. She embodies the qualities envisioned in the Judge Pamela L. Reeves Tennessee Professionalism Award. A lawyer’s lawyer, we are grateful for her many contributions to the profession.”

The professionalism award honors a lawyer or judge whose life and practice display sterling character and unquestioned integrity, coupled with ongoing dedication to the highest standards of the rule of law and the legal profession in Tennessee. It is named in honor of the late Judge Pamela L. Reeves, former chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee and the first recipient of the award. Reeves was an active leader in both the American Inns of Court and the TBA, where she was elected the first female president in 1988. The award will be presented at the 2025 Bench/Bar Luncheon set for June 12 as part of the TBA’s Annual Convention in Franklin. Read more in the TBA’s press release.