Make plans now to join colleagues for a new "Bill and Phil Show," which will make its appearance in Nashville as part of the Law Tech Lunch & Learn Series. The program will take place on Feb. 7 at the Belmont College of Law. Bill Ramsey of Neal & Harwell PLC and legal technology consultant Phil Hampton will cover the evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) in the legal tech industry as well as the benefits and pitfalls to avoid. The duo also will showcase their latest finds in how AI can enhance productivity and quality of life in the real world. Can't make this program? Save the date for the Memphis program set for March 15.

The U.S. Supreme Court today heard arguments on the future of the “Chevron deference,” a legal doctrine that instructs courts to defer to agencies’ interpretation of federal law. The government’s lawyer argued for the doctrine while lawyers for a group of fishermen — who are challenging a mandate that they fund federal monitors on their vessels — called on the court to overrule the precedent or at least narrow its scope, The Hill reports. Critics of the doctrine argue it requires judges to abdicate responsibility to interpret the law. Supporters argue that regulators, who have more knowledge and experience in their particular fields, are best positioned to make such decisions. The justices also weighed whether to replace Chevron with another, more narrow test known as Skidmore, under which a judge would decide to defer to an agency only if the agency’s argument is persuasive. Read about the Chevron doctrine's history from SCOTUSblog.

The University of Tennessee College of Law has announced the death of Professor Emerita Fran Ansley, a 1979 alumna of the law school. In a tribute posted on LinkedIn, the school writes that Ansley was a “brilliant scholar, a beloved teacher and colleague, and a person who made a difference in her community and the world.” In retirement, it continues, she remained active as a scholar, collaborator and change agent. In 2023, the Tennessee Law Review honored Ansley’s work with a symposium titled “Working toward Justice on Difficult Ground." It highlighted three aspects of her work: plant closings and the global economy, justice for migrants and the future of teaching and learning about America’s past. Read tributes posted on the account or leave your own remembrance. Funeral arrangements are pending.

Attorney Kisha Cheeks and General Sessions Court Judge Alex McVeagh, who are seeking to replace retired Circuit Court Judge Marie Williams, have qualified to run in their respective primaries, Chattanoogan.com reports. Cheeks qualified to run in the Democratic primary while McVeagh qualified to run in the Republican primary. Cheeks, principal attorney at the Cheeks Rucker Firm, says she will focus her campaign on ensuring courts continue to remain accessible and provide justice for all residents. McVeagh, who touts his qualifications as a business litigator and sitting judge, will face attorney Michele Coffman in the primary. Coffman qualified earlier this month. She says her campaign is driven by her Christian conservative values and over 24 years of experience as an attorney. The primary will be March 5 with early voting running from Feb. 14-27. The general election will be held in August.

Birmingham-based Burr & Forman LLP recently announced that it experienced a data security incident that impacted data belonging to some of its clients. The firm said in a press release that it has begun notifying impacted individuals of the incident and providing resources to assist them. The affected information, belonging to two health care clients, included individuals' names as well as Social Security numbers, medical coding information with dates and descriptions, and insurance information. It has estimated that the breach impacted nearly 20,000 people. The firm has established a toll-free call center to answer questions. Representatives are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CST and can be reached at 888-774-8132. The firm has offices in Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina. It's sole Tennessee office is in Nashville.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced appointees to a series of key state boards and commissions last Friday. New members have been named to the Tennessee Board of Parole, Heritage Conservation Trust Fund Board, Textbook and Instructional Materials Quality Commission, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Advisory Board, University of Tennessee at Martin Advisory Board, State Board of Accountancy, Real Estate Commission, Tennessee Motor Vehicle Commission, Tennessee Auctioneer Commission and Air Pollution Control Board. See the full list.

A recent article from the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) looks at the path 16th Judicial District Circuit Court Judge Terry Fann has taken to the bench. Fann, who was appointed to the court last November following the retirement of Judge Mark Rogers, recounts how he learned of the upcoming vacancy and the encouragement he received from lawyers and friends to apply for the seat. Since his appointment, Fann says he has “overwhelmed and honored by the kindness and the assistance of all the people involved” in the court system. Fann was sworn in Nov. 23, 2023, by Rogers at an event hosted by the Cannon and Rutherford County Bar Associations. His longtime law partner Steve Waldron introduced him during the investiture and retired judge David Bragg gave the invocation. Read the full profile from the AOC.

Senior 12th Judicial District Circuit Court Judge Justin C. Angel has been named chair of the Tennessee Judicial Conference’s (TJC) Courtroom Security Committee, Chattanoogan.com reports. The committee is comprised of trial judges across the state who focus on the safety of judges, attorneys, court staff, jurors and litigants. The committee appropriates millions of dollars in grant funds which improve safety measures and judicial building security statewide. Angel has served the 12th Judicial District, which encompasses Bledsoe, Sequatchie, Marion, Rhea, Franklin and Grundy counties, for almost 10 years.

The Diversity Leadership Institute Class of 2024 recently attended the TBA Young Lawyers Division's winter meeting at Paris Landing State Park. The law students participated in sessions designed to help them prepare for their future, heard from TBA President Jim Barry and networked with YLD leaders. The class sessions were organized by DLI Co-Chairs Brande Boyd and Rod Watson. The group's next in-person meeting will be at the Tennessee State High School Mock Trial Competition in Nashville when they will volunteer as bailiffs for competition rounds.

The TBA's Leadership Law Program (TBALL) held an opening retreat for the 2024 class at Henry Horton State Park this past weekend. Featured speakers and presenters included TBA President Jim Barry, TBA Executive Director Sheree Wright, Nashville School of Law President and Dean William C. Koch Jr. and attorney Randall L. Kinnard. The weekend also included a judge’s panel led by TBALL alumni now serving on the bench. The 2024 class will hold meetings in Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga and Columbia, culminating in a graduation ceremony in Memphis during the annual TBA Convention. The TBALL program aims to serve the legal profession by equipping participants with the vision, knowledge and skills necessary to serve as leaders. Now in its 20th year, the 2024 class includes 36 participants from around the state. Learn more about the class and the program. See pictures from the event.