The latest episode of BarBuzz is out! In this special convention edition, recorded live at the TBA's Annual Convention in Knoxville earlier this month, Communications Coordinator Azya Thornton talks with newly installed President Charlotte Knight Griffin and Young Lawyers Division President Jennifer Sneed Perry, Executive Director Sheree Wright and Data and Systems Analyst David Lazar about leadership, member services, professional development and priorities for the year ahead. The episode also features conversations with Tech Showcase exhibitors about emerging legal technology, artificial intelligence and resources available to help attorneys strengthen their practices. Listen to the episode on the TBA's website or directly on the streaming platform Libsyn.

As a part of its Christmas in July programming, TBA will highlight popular sessions from the 2026 Annual Convention. Watch for five webcast programs during the week of July 27. The lineup includes "Before You Buy the AI: A Practical Framework for Evaluating Your Firm's Technology" on July 27, focusing on evaluating legal technology investments; "Don't Outsource Your Mind: Conscious Lawyering with AI" on July 28, examining the ethical use of artificial intelligence in legal practice; the annual "Legislative Update 2026" on July 30, covering recent action by the Tennessee General Assembly affecting attorneys; a July 31 program, "From CCTV to AI: Surveillance, Safety, and the Cost of Privacy," exploring constitutional issues surrounding surveillance technology, privacy and artificial intelligence; and "12 Time Management Things Attorneys Should Do, But Don't" on July 31, offering practical strategies for improving productivity.

Online video recordings from the 2026 TBA Annual Convention will be available next week, giving lawyers who did not attend the event an opportunity to view select CLE sessions. Watch for programs on evaluating AI products before buying, conscious lawyering with AI, privacy issues, tips for time management and a 2026 legislative update. Looking for something else? Visit cle.tba.org for upcoming webcasts, in-person and virtual CLE programs, and other TBA events.

Attorneys who attended the TBA’s Annual Convention are reminded to certify their attendance and complete program evaluations through the links on the Convention CLE page by Friday to receive CLE credit. Credits will be filed within 30 days. Visit cle.tba.org for upcoming webcasts, in-person and virtual CLE programs, and other TBA events.

The TBA Young Lawyers Division (YLD) recognized participants in two of its leadership development programs during the 2026 Annual Convention in Knoxville. Members of the Diversity Leadership Institute's Class of 2026 (DLI) celebrated their graduation after completing the six-month leadership and mentoring program, which included professional development opportunities, service projects, virtual programming and participation in YLD meetings throughout the year. Law students who participated in the YLD's 2026 Rural Judicial Fellows program also were on hand and attended special programming alongside the DLI class. Fellows also participated in YLD meetings and networking events during the convention. Learn more about the DLI and Rural Judicial Fellows programs on the YLD website.

Before handing the gavel off to new TBA President Charlotte Knight Griffin, outgoing President Heidi Barcus presented awards to several lawyers for outstanding service during her year in leadership. Barcus honored the members of the TBA Legal Access and Regulatory Reform Task Force, which solicited and reviewed lawyers' feedback on possible regulatory changes to the practice of law in Tennessee and helped create the TBA's official comment filed with the Tennessee Supreme Court in April. They are: Chair Sarah Sheppeard and members Brandon Bass, Lisa Cole, Dixie Cooper, Michael Galligan, Ed Lanquist Jr., Mary Beth Maddox, Jimmie Miller, Randy Noel, Scott Sims, Charles Swanson, Danny Van Horn, Howard Vogel and John Wilks. Barcus also presented awards to Geoffrey Lewis and John Wilks for their service as co-chairs of the TBA Leadership Law Program. Barcus praised the fresh enthusiasm the two brought to the 23-year old program this year. Finally, she presented an award to Knoxville lawyer and former TBA President Howard Vogel for his wise counsel.

Knoxville lawyer Mary Beth Maddox took office as vice president of the Tennessee Bar Association (TBA) last week during the group’s Annual Convention in Knoxville. She will advance to the position of president-elect in June 2027 and to the presidency in June 2028. Maddox, a partner with Frantz McConnell & Seymour LLP, has practiced law for more than 30 years, focusing on civil litigation, including labor and employment, workers’ compensation and tort matters. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia in 1991 and her law degree from the University of Tennessee (now Winston) College of Law in 1994. She has long been active in the TBA, previously serving on its Board of Governors as treasurer, associate general counsel and as an East Tennessee governor. She also served two terms as co-chair of the TBA’s Leadership Law (TBALL) program, where she served several years as a Steering Committee member. Read more about her career in the TBA's press release.

Nashville lawyer John L. Farringer IV took office as president-elect of the Tennessee Bar Association (TBA) last week during the group’s Annual Convention in Knoxville. He will advance to the presidency in June 2027. A member of the law firm Sherrard Roe Voigt & Harbison, Farringer has practiced law for over 20 years, focusing on complex business and commercial litigation. He has been active in the TBA for many years, including serving for six years as a member of the Board of Governors and as associate general counsel with a special focus on issues related to indigent representation. He was a member of the 2011 Leadership Law class and received the 2015 President’s Award for his work as chair of the Medical-Legal Partnership Working Group. Farringer has made access to justice a passion of his career, including serving as chair of the TBA’s Access to Justice Committee from 2014-2015. He received the TBA’s Harris Gilbert Pro Bono Award in 2012 for his work on behalf of Juana Villegas, an undocumented woman who was shackled during and after childbirth. Last year, he also received the TBA President’s Award for his efforts in support of a new indigent representation system for the state. Additionally, Farringer served on the Tennessee Supreme Court’s Access to Justice Commission from 2018-2024, and chaired the commission from 2022-2024. Read more about his career in a press release from the TBA.

Eads attorney Charlotte Knight Griffin took office as president of the Tennessee Bar Association (TBA) last week during the group’s Annual Convention in Knoxville. Knight Griffin began her career in private practice in Memphis after earning her law degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law (now Winston College of Law). She joined Memphis Light, Gas and Water as a staff attorney in 1978 and retired in April 2023 after 45 years of service. Knight Griffin has been active in the TBA for many years, most recently serving as president-elect, speaker of the House of Delegates and a member of the Board of Governors. She is a past chair of the Local Government Practice and Litigation sections, a charter fellow of the Young Lawyers Division (YLD), a past executive officer of the YLD and past president of the TBA YLD Fellows. Read more about her career in this press release.

TBA’s new executive officers and new Board of Governors members took office at the Annual Convention in Knoxville. Officers for the upcoming bar year are: President Charlotte Knight Griffin of Eads, President-Elect John Farringer of Nashville, Vice President Mary Beth Maddox of Knoxville, Secretary Terica Smith of Jackson and Treasurer Jennifer Noe of Ashland City. Knoxville lawyer Heidi Barcus wrapped up her year in office and moved into the immediate past president role.

New Board of Governors members also took office. They are: Treasurer Jennifer Noe, East Tennessee Governor John Jolley, West Tennessee Governors Kent Francis and Geoffrey Lewis, 5th District Governor Jerice Glanton (Position 1), 7th District Governor Joshua Dougan, House of Delegates Speaker Deb House, Young Lawyers Division President Jennifer Sneed-Perry, Young Lawyers Division President-elect Darius Walker Jr., Tennessee Judicial Conference President Chancellor Tony Childress, District Public Defenders Conference President John Nicoll, Tennessee Alliance of Black Lawyers (TABL) Invited Representative David Fletcher, and Associate General Counsel Stacie Caraway.

Finally, new leaders took office in the TBA House of Delegates. They are Speaker Deb House, Deputy Speaker Steve Conley and Secretary Stanley Ross.