The Nashville Bar Association (NBA) has released the results of a member poll of applicants being considered to fill a vacancy on the Davidson County General Sessions Court. The candidates rated included Jodie Bell, Mark Andrew Cole Sr., Leroy Ellis, David Jones and C. Michael Robinson. The vacancy is due to Judge Jim Todd's appointment to Criminal Court Division III. The association reports that 276 responses were received by the deadline. See the poll results in a release from the NBA. The full Metro Council will vote on the appointment on Nov. 18.

Kilmar Abrego Garcia has been transferred to Tennessee for a hearing this week on criminal charges stemming from a 2022 traffic stop. A Pennsylvania judge authorized the transfer on Friday. Abrego Garcia is charged with smuggling migrants across the country, to which he has pleaded not guilty. The Tennessee Lookout reports that the multi-day hearing comes after U.S. District Judge Waverly Crenshaw found in October there was a “likelihood” that the Department of Justice (DOJ) indictment against Abrego Garcia was vindictive. Crenshaw also recently warned Trump administration officials of possible sanctions if they continued making inflammatory statements about Abrego Garcia.

Two federal judges recently admitted their rulings included errors generated by artificial intelligence (AI), highlighting the lack of consistent national guidelines on AI use in U.S. courts, Reuters reports. That has led U.S. Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley, D-Iowa, to warn the judiciary that Congress is watching closely. He also is urging the courts to adopt formal, uniform safeguards against AI misuse. While many courts have issued local orders or policies, the federal judiciary is still relying on temporary guidance issued in July. The recent revelations have intensified scrutiny on how judges use AI, as state and federal courts continue developing policies aimed at balancing the technology’s promise with the need for human oversight.

Build your professional profile by getting published in some of TBA's key publications! Articles may be submitted for Section Connect newsletters as well as the "Voices of the YLD" feature, which appears in the Law Student Newsletter and Young Lawyers Division Newsletter. Longer form articles also may be submitted to the Tennessee Bar Journal for review by the Editorial Committee. Finally, law students may enter writing contests sponsored by the Administrative Law Section and Environmental Law Section.

Law students have access to TBA's wellness resources which include educational programs, the Healthy Bar podcast and general resources for wellbeing.

As you prepare for life after law school, start with this New Attorney Guide. This resource introduces the legal community in Tennessee, offers tips, covers important deadlines and shows you how to maximize your TBA membership.

Law students receive monthly updates from the TBA Young Lawyers Division (YLD) on events and information for lawyers in their first 10 years of practice as well as law students. The YLD also provides social networking events to help law students build their network. And it produces two programs for law students: the annual Diversity Leadership Institute (DLI), a six-month leadership and diversity program, and Rural Judicial Fellowship program, which pairs law students with judges in rural areas of the state.

The TBA offers a variety of resources to help law students develop their careers, including the Career Center, which features job openings, career resources and job data information. TBA also offers law students free membership in one practice section. TBA's 33 sections are specialized groups that focus on a particular practice area and offer resources and activities. Get involved today!

The TBA has resources, tools, guides and best practices for law students who plan to launch a solo practice after law school.

Law students receive member discounts on office supplies from Office Depot, saving on hotel and car rentals, and discounts on entertainment and social events such as movie tickets, music and event shows, theme and water parks, and sporting events. Start saving now with the TBA!