The TBA’s annual Tennessee Court of Appeals Boot Camp took place yesterday in Nashville. The boot camp allowed attendees to observe oral arguments in real cases being presented to the court, followed by analysis and discussion on preparation, tips and considerations for deciding to seek review in the Court of Appeals. Court of Appeals Judges Andy Bennett, Frank Clement Jr., Neal McBrayer and Jeffrey Usman participated in the panel and engaged with attendees.

The TBA yesterday made a trip to Clarksville during its 2022 Court Square Series. Event attendees participated in a networking session with TBA President-elect Jim Barry, heard a Legislative Update from the TBA’s Berkley Schwarz and listened to Clarksville attorney Ray Runyon discuss surviving spousal rights. The event wrapped up with a judicial panel featuring Chancellor Ben Dean and Judges Kathryn Wall Olita, Reid Poland and Joel Wallace. The next stop in the Court Square Series will be in Savannah on Nov. 16.

Memphis Area Legal Services is looking to hire two staff attorneys who will provide high quality legal services to survivors of domestic violence. The staff attorneys will provide a full range of legal services to clients, including advice, negotiations, representation in state and federal court, and administrative advocacy. Litigation experience is preferred and demonstrated interest in assisting low-income people and conducting aggressive advocacy is required. For more information about the role and instructions on how to apply, visit the TBA’s JobLink site.

The TBA Construction Law Section will host a three-hour program on construction law basics in Memphis next month. The program will cover the prompt pay act, contractor licensing, lien law, and construction contracts. The event will kick off on Dec. 2 with registration and a light breakfast at 8:30 a.m. CST at Glankler Brown in Memphis. Get more information and register for the program here.

Longtime Hamilton County Attorney Rheubin Taylor has filed suit against new County Mayor Weston Wamp, Chattanoogan.com reports. The suit claims Wamp is trying to fire him despite him having a four-year contract given by the prior County Commission in 2021. Chancellor Jeff Atherton has filed a temporary restraining order, keeping Taylor as the county attorney. In related action, commissioners today overruled four Wamp vetoes of commission resolutions related to his attempts to fire Taylor.

Those interested in running for an elected office in the Tennessee Bar Association or as a TBA Delegate in the American Bar Association have until Feb. 15 to qualify for the 2023 ballot. To qualify, candidates must file a nominating petition with the executive director of the TBA by emailing barED@tnbar.org, or via mail at 3310 West End Avenue, Suite 590, Nashville, 37203. Because of limitations brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, scanned signatures can be collected and submitted electronically.

Those interested in a seat on the TBA House of Delegates must file a declaration of candidacy that includes their name, principal place of law practice, district of interest and contact information. This can be submitted with the executive director of the TBA via email at barED@tnbar.org. The TBA’s website has more information on the election process and a list of available positions.

Elder Law Basics 2022 will be presented virtually Nov. 11, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. CDT. Designed for attorneys new to the practice or those looking to brush up on their knowledge, this program will provide an overview of the intangibles of elder law. Topics will include powers of attorney, estate recovery, reverse mortgages, how clients can find and afford health care in retirement, ethics and more. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from seasoned practitioners providing the information you need to stay on top of developments and changes in the field. Register here.

Farrar & Bates LLP is seeking an associate attorney with two to five years of litigation experience. Applicants must have strong research and writing skills. The associate will be responsible for handling their own cases, including drafting pleadings and motions, attending depositions, preparing for and attending court hearings, and preparing for and attending mediations. Visit TBA's JobLink platform for more information and to apply.

The TBA's Federal Practice Section, in conjunction with the Nashville chapter of the Federal Bar Association and Waller Landsen Dortch & Davis, hosted a reception following the conclusion of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeal’s oral arguments in Nashville on Tuesday. See photos from the event.

Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti has published an opinion stating that the disposal of fertilized human embryos that haven’t been transferred to a woman’s uterus does not violate the state’s Human Life Protection Act and isn’t punishable as a “criminal abortion,” the Tennessee Lookout reports. The opinion goes on to clarify that the state’s new abortion law only applies when a woman is physically pregnant, which could indicate a shift for some in the legislature who believe life begins at conception. The article also notes that some state senators are considering filing legislation in the new year to change the Human Life Protection Act to potentially separate medical emergencies dealing with pregnancies from “elective” abortions. Such a move could enable doctors to treat women without facing the dilemma of being presumed guilty for performing an abortion or violating their oath to meet a standard of care for patients.