Don’t miss the TBA CLE’s Small Business Reorganization Act (SBRA): A Crash Course webinar on Dec. 14 from noon to 1 p.m. CST. The program will offer an introduction to the Small Business Reorganization Act (SBRA), a summary of the procedure to be followed in the initial stage of a Sub V case and a guide to forms that will be required to commence the case and get through the critical early days of the case. The program is part of the TBA’s annual Year End CLE Event, which offers a variety of live virtual or on-demand programs, CLE packages and much more to help meet your last minute CLE needs.  

The Tennessee Bar Association last week was named a regional winner in the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For competition. Run by the National Association for Business Resources (NABR), the competition identifies and honors organizations that display a commitment to excellence in their human resource practices and employee enrichment. Organizations are assessed on categories such as communication, work-life balance, employee education, diversity, recognition, retention and more. The TBA will be honored during the virtual Illuminate Business Summit week in the spring of 2022.

The Tennessee Supreme Court yesterday issued a correction to a November order regarding the Alternative Dispute Resolution Commission. The original order, which named three new members and a new chair, makes reference to a Tennessee Supreme Court rule and section that has since been revised. The new order reflects the appropriate rule and section.

Three new members were today appointed to serve on the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility. Barbara Medley with Medley & Spivey in Lewisburg, Sevier County District Attorney General Jimmy Dunn and state Sen. Richard Briggs of Nashville will serve a term that begins Jan. 1, 2022, and ends Dec. 31, 2024. Floyd Flippin was appointed to chair the board and Jennifer S. Hagerman will serve as vice-chair. The terms of Joe M. Looney, Jimmie C. Miller and Sen. Jon Lundberg expire on Dec. 31 and none are eligible for reappointment.

The Tennessee Supreme Court today announced it has reappointed state Rep. Michael Curcio to the Tennessee Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection for a three-year term. The court also appointed attorneys Junaid Odubeko and Christen Blackburn to the group, both for three-year terms ending Dec. 31, 2024. Stacy Roettger was appointed to serve as chair and Terri Crider will serve as vice-chair of the commission. Julie Bowling and Erin Palmer Polly will step down from the commission in January.

The Tennessee Supreme Court today announced it will reappoint Stephanie Coleman, Jay A. Ebelhar, Lynda Minks Hood and David H. Veile to the Tennessee Commission on Continuing Legal Education and Specialization. They are reappointed to a three-year term, beginning Jan. 1, 2022 and expiring Dec. 31, 2024. The court also announced its appointment of Veile as chair of the commission for a one-year term, which expires on Dec. 31, 2022. The commission will elect a vice chair and secretary-treasurer on its own.  

Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris has formally announced his plans to run for re-election, the Daily Memphian reports. Harris made the announcement in a 46-second video sent to supporters. If re-elected, Harris told the Daily Memphian that he hoped to “drive a community-wide conversation around community health care access and jobs,” including second chance and re-entry programs for people coming out of prison. Prior to winning the mayoral election in 2018, Harris served in the state Senate, representing the 29th District.

Miller & Martin attorney Doug Berry was honored today for his 17 years of service as honorary consul of the Federal Republic of Germany. During a reception at the Baker Donelson offices in Nashville, the consul general of the Federal Republic of Germany, Melanie Moltmann, praised his service and commitment to diplomacy. Moltmann also recognized Christian Schütz, a Baker Donelson attorney who has been named as the new honorary consul.

A new report from ThinkTennessee, a nonpartisan organization that studies policy issues in the state, found that many people remain stuck in a cycle of court debt despite past efforts to relieve the burden of fines and fees. One such effort, a change in state law that was supposed to stop people from losing their driver’s licenses because of unpaid court bills, is falling short, the group says. Under the new law, courts are required to offer people payment plans before suspending their licenses. Those who cannot afford the cost, even on a payment plan, are supposed to be issued a restricted license that still allows them to drive to work, school and religious services. But the ThinkTennessee report found that access to payment plans varies from county to county and many who qualify for help are not getting it. Nashville Public Radio looks at the report’s findings, while the Johnson City Press looks at the report in light of a study released over the summer from the Sycamore Institute about court fee collections.

Four Tennessee judges recently attended the 15th Annual Judicial Symposium on Civil Justice Issues, sponsored by the Law & Economics Center at the George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School. The symposium is designed to help judges better understand America’s evolving civil justice system.  Judges attending included Court of Appeals judges Kenny Armstrong and Carma McGee and chancellors Tony Childress (29th Judicial District) and Doug Jenkins (Third Judicial District). Read more from the Administrative Office of the Courts.