Make plans now to join colleagues from across the state at the TBA’s 2025 Annual Convention, set for June 11-14, at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs. In addition to compelling CLE programs and leadership meetings, multiple social and networking events will provide opportunities to connect with colleagues. The convention gets underway Wednesday and will feature a welcome reception that evening. Thursday will begin with the Public Service Breakfast and University of Tennessee College of Law Breakfast, continue with the annual Bench/Bar Luncheon, and wrap up with a Bench/Bar Reception that will feature food, drinks, trivia and other games. Get ready for some friendly competition between lawyers and judges! Friday will feature a breakfast buffet and the annual Lawyers Luncheon, which will include a look back at TBA President Ed Lanquist Jr.'s year in office and the swearing in of new president Heidi Barcus. All events are included with the full convention registration. Watch for more information about individual tickets, which will go on sale June 2, coming soon.

The TBA’s 2025 Convention will feature a joint CLE program from the TBA and the Tennessee Alliance for Black Lawyers (TABL) on June 12. “Realign: Justice, Well-Being & the Law — Addressing Bias for a Healthier Legal System” will explore how unconscious influences can lead to disparities in legal outcomes and offer practical strategies to promote fairness and equity. Using real-world examples and interactive discussion, the program is designed to equip judges, attorneys and advocates with tools to foster a more just and inclusive legal environment. The program will be presented by Nashville lawyer Sunny Eaton.

Federal Public Defender Dumaka Shabazz will be honored next month with the Tennessee Bar Association’s (TBA) 2025 Claudia Jack Award. Named for the late Claudia Jack, a long-time champion of the poor and underprivileged and a public defender in Maury County, the award is presented to an outstanding public defender or court-appointed private practitioner who serves the legal community and clients in an exemplary fashion. Shabazz, who works in the Middle District of Tennessee, is being honored for his many contributions to the legal profession, both in Tennessee and on the national stage. In announcing the award, TBA President Ed Lanquist Jr. said, “Dumaka Shabazz embodies the unwavering dedication to justice envisioned by the Claudia Jack Award. His work on behalf of clients, his dedication to mentoring the next generation of public defenders, and his commitment to serving the community make him a deserving recipient for this year’s award. His commitment and dedication mirrors Claudia’s.” The award will be presented at the TBA Annual Convention in Franklin on June 13 during the Lawyers’ Luncheon. Read more in the TBA’s press release.

In addition to compelling CLE, social events and networking opportunities, the 2025 TBA Annual Convention will include meetings of TBA's governing bodies. On June 11, the House of Delegates will meet in the afternoon, while new section chairs will meet to make plans for the 2025-2026 bar year. On June 13, the TBA Board of Governors and its Executive Committee will meet after the Lawyers Luncheon. Later that afternoon, the Tennessee Legal Community Foundation (TLCF) and TBA Member Insurance Solutions (TBAMS) will hold their respective board meetings. Wrapping up the day, the Young Lawyers Division (YLD) will hold a Long Range Planning session and its annual membership meeting, capped off by past YLD presidents participating in a gavel pass and champagne toast to honor incoming president Judge Alex McVeagh. On June 14, the YLD Board's Executive Committee will meet, while all board members will participate in committee breakouts and the summer board meeting. Check out the full convention schedule.

Attendees of the 2025 TBA Convention won’t want to miss the TBA Young Lawyers Division's (YLD) CLE program “State of DEI in the Legal Profession” scheduled for June 13. The program will feature speakers James Crumlin, Casey Duhart, Paige Lyle and Kristen Walker as they explore how Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) efforts are evolving across law firms, corporate legal departments and higher education. The panel will cover key topics such as recruitment, retention, inclusive leadership and legal risk, offering practical insights and sparking open discussion about the shifting role of DEI in shaping legal strategy, client expectations and workplace culture. Register now to be part of this important conversation.

Shelby County Criminal Court Judge Chris Craft will be honored next month with the Tennessee Bar Association’s (TBA) prestigious Justice Frank F. Drowota III Award. The award will be presented at the Bench Bar Luncheon set for June 12 as part of the association’s Annual Convention in Franklin. TBA President Ed Lanquist Jr. said the association is honoring Craft for his leadership in judicial education, ethics and professional well-being: “The TBA is pleased to honor Judge Chris Craft for 30 years of service to the Tennessee legal community. Throughout his career, Judge Craft has worked to improve the practice of law, foster excellence among state judges and help colleagues in need. We are grateful for his contributions. Additionally, I particularly enjoyed working with him when he previously served on the TBA Board of Governors when he was president of the Tennessee Judicial Conference.” Craft, who was nominated for the award by a group of fellow judges, has served on the criminal court since 1994. The Drowota Award is presented to a judge or judicial branch official who has demonstrated extraordinary devotion and dedication to the improvement of the law, the legal system and the administration of justice. Read more about Craft's selection in the TBA's press release.

Register by April 30 for TBA's Annual Convention in Franklin, June 11-14, to take advantage of Early Bird pricing! Rates will go up on May 1. The Franklin Marriott Cool Springs has special room rates for convention attendees, so be sure to make those reservations by May 19. Act today so you don't miss out on these discounts!

Tennessee lawyers will gather in June for the 2025 TBA Annual Convention, which will offer compelling CLE programming, networking opportunities and social events. This year's CLE lineup will bring together an esteemed group of speakers to cover timely legal issues. The annual Bench Bar CLE program on Thursday will explore Tennessee lawyers who have made history in the state. Later that day, TBA President Ed Lanquist Jr. will join with others to present on the topic “AI in the Life of a Lawyer,” while TBA’s government relations team will provide an update on the recent legislative session and a new indigent representation plan. Thursday’s programming will wrap up with a joint program with the Tennessee Alliance of Black Lawyers (TABL) on “Addressing Inequality for a Healthier Legal System.” On Friday, the TBA will present an attorney wellness session and a vendor panel on the future of legal tech, while the Young Lawyers Division will present a panel on the state of DEI. Don’t miss this opportunity to earn up to eight hours of CLE credit while connecting with colleagues from across the state. Still need to register for the Convention? Get started here.

The TBA again this year is honoring the work of Tennessee journalists through the Fourth Estate Award, which honors courageous reporting on justice and the law. Don't miss the opportunity to nominate a journalist or group of journalists! Nominations are due by April 30. The TBA strongly supports freedom of expression under the First Amendment, as exercised by lawyers on behalf of their clients and by journalists on behalf of the public, and particularly wants to recognize and encourage journalists who promote public understanding of the rule of law and our system of justice through vigorous exercise of their First Amendment rights. Attorneys who have relationships with reporters or observed a particularly compelling piece of journalism in 2024 are encouraged to submit a nomination. Read about past recipients here and read the TBA's full press release.

The deadline for submitting nominations for the 2025 Judge Pamela L. Reeves Tennessee Professionalism Award has been extended to April 14. This year's award, presented by the TBA and Tennessee’s American Inns of Court, will honor a lawyer or judge residing in the Middle Grand Division 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 highest standards of the legal profession in Tennessee. Nominees must be alive when nominations are submitted but they need not be an active member of an American Inn of Court or the TBA. The award will be presented at the TBA's Annual Convention, which will be held in Franklin June 11-14. Read about past award recipients.