The Nashville Bar Association (NBA) has announced the members of the 2025 Nashville Bar Foundation (NBF) Leadership Forum class. Of the new class, NBA President Erin Palmer Polly said, "This very select and diverse class will have the opportunity to develop exceptional leadership skills and foster strong professional relationships. We look forward to the positive impact that they will have in our profession and our community." The NBF established the Leadership Forum — a nine-month leadership program for lawyers with three to eight years of experience — in 2014 to bring together emerging leaders who participate in monthly workshops designed to help them realize their potential to benefit the legal profession and the local community.

Members of the TBA Young Lawyers Division visited University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law last week to speak with over 35 students about their entry into the profession and to share information about TBA member benefits. Membership, which is free to law students, provides access to continuing legal education that can increase students' professional knowledge, opportunities to network and savings on school supplies and insurance. Students also were also encouraged to apply for the 2025 Diversity Leadership Institute (DLI), a six-month leadership and mentoring program designed to help develop the skills needed to succeed as a law student and attorney. Thanks to YLD presenters Constance Brown, Julie Chapman and Faith Watson for their contributions to the event. See a photo from the visit.

The Shelby County Sheriff's Office is seeking to reallocate funding originally dedicated to the inmate mental health center to fund emergency projects around the Shelby County Justice Center, the Commercial Appeal reports. According to the paper, the proposal has sparked debate among county commissioners, with some supporting the move and others criticizing it as a diversion from essential mental health services. Earlier this year, Shelby County Sheriff’s deputies relocated inmates after a power surge broke cell locks at the jail. Last week, the elevators at the Shelby County Criminal Justice Center were reported to be in a state of disrepair, causing safety concerns for employees, visitors and inmates.

Campbell Perky Johnson (CPJ), a family law firm in Franklin, has expanded its practice areas with the addition of David Cañas as a new partner. According to the firm, Cañas brings 30 years of experience in commercial, bankruptcy and real estate litigation, significantly expanding the firm's capabilities. According to a press release, the move marks a new chapter for the firm as it expands its practice areas to better serve clients. Announcing the hiring, co-managing partner Sarah Perky said, Cañas' "tenacity, legal expertise and client dedication make him a perfect fit" at the firm.

The American Bar Association (ABA) Young Lawyers Division has released a student debt survey that reveals the significant impact of student debt on the lives — including career plans, financial stability and mental health — of young lawyers. According to a press release, the study found that many young attorneys delayed major life events due to debt, and many felt stressed and anxious about their finances. While the COVID-19 loan repayment pause provided some relief, the survey also highlighted the need for more comprehensive solutions to address the student debt crisis.

Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Mary L. Wagner received a warm welcome to the bench as family, friends, colleagues, elected officials and the judiciary joined her in Germantown for a ceremonial investiture by Gov. Bill Lee. “Justice Wagner is highly qualified and brings significant experience to the Tennessee Supreme Court,” Lee said. “Her understanding and respect for the rule of law and commitment to the conservative principles of judicial restraint make her well-suited for the state’s highest court, and I am proud to celebrate her investiture.” Wagner was confirmed by the Tennessee legislature in March and her term began Sept. 1. She earned her bachelor’s degree at the University of Colorado at Boulder and her law degree at the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. Wagner fills a vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Roger A. Page. Read more in a press release from the Administrative Office of the Courts and see photos from the event.

The Knoxville Latino Bar Association (KLBA) will host its second annual gala on Sept. 27 from 6-9 p.m. EDT at the Foundry on the Fair Site, 747 Worlds Fair Park Dr., Knoxville 37902. The event, themed "Forjando Tu Futuro: Overcoming Challenges," will honor Carlos Yunsan, the Knoxville Bar Association's first Latino president. Learn more and purchase tickets here.

The Tennessee Ethics Commission has dismissed a complaint against Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds. The complaint, initially filed by Rep. Caleb Hemmer, D-Nashville, alleged that Reynolds accepted travel reimbursements from a national advocacy group that also lobbies to expand education choice policies. The commission considered the complaint last week behind closed doors and ultimately voted not to refer the matter to the attorney general’s office for further investigation. The Tennessean reports that Reynolds’ repayment of the funds was the deciding factor in the decision to dismiss the complaint. Hemmer this week announced plans to file legislation next year to clarify state ethics laws that prohibit officials from accepting travel paid by groups that lobby the legislature.

Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court denied Oklahoma's bid to reinstate over $4 million in Title X funding while its legal challenge against the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proceeds. According to SCOTUSblog, the dispute involves Title X's federal requirement for abortion counseling and referrals, which conflicts with Oklahoma's abortion restrictions. Oklahoma argued that these requirements violate the Constitution’s spending clause and federal Weldon Amendment, which protects providers who refuse abortion referrals. The federal government countered that Congress routinely conditions federal grants on compliance with requirements and that the Weldon Amendment does not cover state agencies. Oklahoma also argued that a recent ruling from the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, which upheld a district court’s decision withholding similar funds from Tennessee, should not influence the court because the Weldon Amendment was not cited in that case.

There is now a vacancy for a TBA delegate to the ABA House of Delegates (Position 1) due to Jonathan Cole’s selection to serve as chair of the ABA House of Delegates. In accordance with Articles 47 and 49 of the TBA Bylaws, the TBA Board of Governors will fill this vacancy at its Sept. 28 board meeting. The selected candidate will fill this vacancy for the remainder of the current term. To be considered for this position, email TBA Executive Director Sheree Wright with your interest by Sept. 19. Please include a resume as well as any other information you would like the Board of Governors to consider.