The Tennessee Supreme Court has ordered a change in the classification of personal contact information that attorneys provide to the Board of Professional Responsibility. Personal contact information now will be considered confidential and not public record. The change was requested by the board in June. After receiving comments from the Tennessee Bar Association, the Knoxville Bar Association and others that lawyers should be asked to provide alternative contact information that can be made public, the court allowed TBA and the board to develop new language, which it now has adopted. The alternative contact information must be submitted by Jan. 1, 2025. Read more in a press release from the Administrative Office of the Courts.

The Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration will host Gov. Bill Lee’s public budget hearings for Fiscal Year 2026 on Nov. 5, 6, 12 and 13. The hearings will be live streamed. Check the department's website for the schedule of dates and times for individual state agency hearings.

Early voting in Tennessee concluded Thursday with over two million ballots cast, marking about 42% of total expected turnout. Overall, early voting was down about 2.9% compared to last year, though in-person early voting increased by 60,000 votes for a new state record. A 60% decrease in absentee ballots — which had surged in 2020 due to the pandemic — more than countered the in-person increase, the Nashville Banner reports. Election Day is Tuesday. Visit the Tennessee Secretary of State website to find polling locations, sample ballots, election information and more. The American Bar Association also has nonpartisan resources, programs and information to support voting, civic engagement and the electoral process.

Candidates who passed the July 2024 Tennessee Bar Exam were admitted to the practice of law at a ceremony in Knoxville today. Representatives from the Tennessee Bar Association and its Young Lawyers Division were on hand to congratulate the new admittees. See photos from today. Ceremonies continue this week with events in Nashville tomorrow, Jackson on Wednesday and Memphis on Thursday. Watch for coverage and photos from these events coming soon in TBA Today and on social media.

Four legal advice clinics are being held this week across the state. In Nashville, the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands will hold a clinic on Wednesday from 4-6 p.m. at the Nashville library and on Saturday from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the McHugh Clinic. In Memphis, the Memphis Bar Association and Memphis Area Legal Services will hold an Attorney of the Day Clinic on Thursday from 1-3 p.m. at the Shelby County General Sessions Courthouse and the Second Saturday Legal Aid Clinic from 10 a.m. to noon at the Benjamin Hooks Central Library. All times central. Sign up online to help at the Nashville clinics. Contact Heather Staggs to volunteer for the Memphis clinics.

The November/December 2024 issue of the Tennessee Bar Journal is now available online and arriving in mailboxes soon! This issue's cover story profiles recently retired Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Roger Page and his journey to the bench. Hillel Frankel explores how the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in artistic creations has launched major rights questions across the artistic spectrum, and Colton Adams, Leah Bennion and Eric Lyons explain that as businesses adapt to the requirements of the Corporate Transparency Act, it is critical to understand its implications and take proactive steps to ensure compliance. President Ed Lanquist Jr. underscores TBA's commitment to access to justice, Buddy Stockwell tackles anxiety in the legal profession and John Williams reviews Judge Richard M. Gergel's "Unexampled Courage." Enjoy these and other articles covering a range of legal topics.

The annual TBA Topgolf CLE will take place on Thursday. This program features three hours of programming and a chance to meet with other lawyers who share your focus. Topics for this year’s event include trust modifications, tax considerations for estate plans, the Corporate Transparency Act and more. The tee-off is a great team building opportunity and offers practical info for those entering the practice or brushing up on basics. The package includes breakfast, lunch and two hours of Topgolf after the presentations. Learn more and register here.

Capital One is facing scrutiny from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) over alleged misrepresentations regarding savings account interest rates, Reuters reports. This stems from a lawsuit filed last year over its "360 Performance Savings" account, with plaintiffs arguing the company misled customers with higher rates than they received. Capital One filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, maintaining it has a contractual right to modify interest rates at its discretion, and that information about the accounts in question is readily available on its website. CFPB declined to comment on any potential actions.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) last week announced several updates to its pension plan and retirement savings policies for 2025. The annual contribution limit for 401(k), 403(b), governmental 457 and Thrift Savings plans has been raised to $23,500, up from $23,000 for 2024. While catch‑up contributions for most employees remains at $7,500, those 60-63 years of age can now contribute up to $11,250. The income ranges to make deductible contributions to traditional Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs), Roth IRAs and to claim the Saver’s Credit have all increased for 2025. Tax phase-out ranges were increased across the board. Read more on the agency’s website.

TBA's annual Hot Topics in Real Estate seminar, presented in partnership with the Tennessee Land Title Association, will be held virtually on Nov. 8 from 9 a.m to 4:15 p.m. CST. Topics will include powers of attorney, the new FINCEN rules, AI and the annual case law and legislative updates. Participants include Al Frazier with Fidelity National Financial Title Group, Ryan Martinez with Alliant National Title Insurance, Dr. Susan Tanner with the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law, and Charles Welch Jr. with Phelps Dunbar. Real Estate Section members enjoy discounted registration fees. Not a member of the section? Join here.