Chief Justice John Roberts delivered today a brief, touching tribute to retiring Justice Stephen Breyer at the end of what was the final oral argument session of Breyer's 28-year tenure on the high court, CBS News reports. His voice breaking with emotion, Roberts noted that Breyer will retire from the Supreme Court at the end of its current term, which will likely conclude by the end of June, meaning the arguments heard by the justices today were the last with Breyer on the bench. NPR has Justice Breyer's remarks, from January when he announced his retirement, about his hope for the "American experiment." 

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee will release more details Monday surrounding why he abruptly canceled the execution of Oscar Smith, delaying his previous plan to reveal the reasons this week, the Republican’s spokesperson confirmed. Fox 17 News reports that Casey Black said in an email Tuesday that the governor’s office will “be releasing more information and action steps.” Last week, Lee issued a statement saying there had been an “oversight in preparation for lethal injection” as he granted a temporary reprieve to the 72-year-old Smith. A day later, he said the reprieve was needed because of a “technical oversight,” without explaining further.

The Tennessee Supreme Court yesterday issued two orders naming 75 individuals to the state’s nine disciplinary district’s hearing committees. The first order appointed 49 individuals while the second order re-appointed 26 individuals. The new terms for all will expire on March 16, 2025. Justice Sharon Lee dissented to both orders but no additional information was provided.

The Tennessee Supreme Court suspended 10 attorneys last week for failure to pay the annual registration fee. Seven of them also failed to file proof that client funds are held in an IOLTA-compliant account. View the April 22 fee suspension order and IOLTA suspension order. See the list of all lawyers suspended for fee and IOLTA violations in 2022 or access all administrative suspensions dating back to 2005.

Join your colleagues for the 2022 TBA Annual Convention in Nashville, June 15-18, offering a total of nine hours (4.5 general and 4.5 dual) of continuing legal education. This year's in-person CLE lineup will bring together an esteemed group of panelists and speakers to cover a variety of timely, essential legal topics such as how judges and lawyers can serve as leaders in Tennessee, attorney well-being for lawyers in today's evolving legal field, a legislative update recapping the most recent news from the legislative session and a diversity panel with seasoned attorneys sharing different perspectives and experiences. Learn more about CLE and other programming, book a room and register. 

The #TeamTBA series continues today with the CLE department’s Jarod Word! Jarod is a Senior Education & Professional Development Coordinator. In that role, he facilitates a number of TBA sections and the Attorney Well Being and Public Education committees. He authors section newsletters, does a variety of behind-the-scenes work and runs one of the TBA’s biggest programs – the Annual Health Law CLE. If his life were turned into a movie, Jarod would ideally like to be portrayed by Tom Hardy, but realistically thinks it would be someone more like Larry David.

The #TeamTBA series offers members a behind-the-scenes look at the inner workings of the TBA and how each staff member makes the association run. Check back every Wednesday for a new staff profile in TBA Today and on the TBA's Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts. 

"How do we let go so we can actually enjoy what we have?" lawyer and life coach Laura Chipman writes for Above the Law. You may be thinking you don't have time to consolidate or slow down, you have too much to do. But Chipman gives practical advice, suggesting that by creating space in your calendar, in your physical space, and in your mind you can better enjoy your life. "For me, it’s about visualizing that freedom, being selective in where I put my energy, and letting go of as much as possible that’s crowding at the margins," she writes. Whether it's during work or relaxation, "Give yourself a break and just be in the moment without trying to change it."

The United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee is moving from its current location in the Estes Kefauver Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse to the new Fred D. Thompson U.S. Courthouse and Federal Building, located at 719 Church Street, Nashville 37203. Beginning May 6, all court proceedings and operations will be held in the new courthouse. Learn more details from the court. 

Judge Amy Turnbull Hollars is seeking re-election as Circuit Court Judge Part 1 for the 13th Judicial District, the Overton County News reports. She has served in that position for 13 years, hearing civil cases in the seven counties that make up the district. After her initial appointment in 2008, she was re-elected in 2010 and 2014.

The TBA Young Lawyers Division, Chattanooga Bar Association Young Lawyers, Legal Aid of East Tennessee, La Paz and the Tennessee Supreme Court Access to Justice Initiative partnered to put on a family law advice clinic at Hamilton County Family Justice Center on April 23. Volunteer attorneys met with clients to give free counsel, advice and brief service on a wide range of family law topics. Other community partners, like American Job Center and Her Song were also onsite to provide clients with other resources. Eighteen attorneys volunteered their time, the equivalent of more than $10,000 in donated services. "I appreciate to have a place to go and ask questions freely without feeling any judgment," one client wrote. "Thank you all for your kindness and service."