The Beck Cultural Exchange Center in Knoxville will host a panel discussion at 6 p.m. EDT tomorrow on policing and police encounters as part of their Black History Month events and ongoing conversations on racial justice. The event name —"The Talk" — comes from the conversation that generations of Black parents have had with their children about what to do if they are stopped or questioned by police officers. According to the Knoxville News Sentinel, 10 speakers are scheduled, including retired Knoxville Police Department Chief Nathaniel Allen, former NAACP President Dewey Roberts, former Knox County Commissioner Diane Jordan and attorney Dillon Zinser. In addition, Knox News Executive Editor Joel Christopher and reporter Angela Dennis will join a panel to discuss what their reporting has revealed about the effects of policing in the community. Nzinga Amani, a police reform activist, and community member Nahshon Bain-Greenidge also will share their experiences with local officers.

A bill sponsored by state Rep. Johnny Garrett, R-Goodlettsville, passed the House State Government Committee on Wednesday, despite legislative attorney Matt Munday cautioning that it might be unconstitutional. The bill in question would prevent local governments from sending General Assembly members who are expelled “for disorderly behavior” back to the same seat, reports the Daily Memphian. State Rep. Bryan Richey, R-Maryville, is sponsoring a resolution proposing a constitutional amendment that is similar to Garrett’s bill. Richey’s resolution would go further, preventing the expelled member from holding office for four years after the expulsion. That resolution is expected to be heard next week.

Memphis attorney Jennifer L. Sneed will serve as the Tennessee Bar Association Young Lawyers Division president in 2026-2027. Her election was uncontested. After taking office as vice president at this summer's TBA Convention, Sneed will become president-elect in 2025-2026 and then take over the YLD's leadership in June of 2026. She has served as West Tennessee Governor for the YLD for the past two years. Sneed earned her law degree from The University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law and serves as the director — legal/estates for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital — ALSAC. She has been recognized at the local, regional and national levels, and currently serves as a board member of the Ben F. Jones Chapter of the National Bar Association, the Community Legal Center and REACH Memphis college preparatory organization.

Gov. Bill Lee and state Senate leadership this week announced differing proposals to introduce universal school vouchers to Tennessee. The key difference in the two plans is testing accountability. Chalkbeat reports that the governor's plan does not require participating students to take annual tests to measure whether the Education Freedom Scholarship Act leads to better academic outcomes. The Senate’s proposal requires recipients in grades three to 11 to take some type of norm-referenced tests approved by the state Board of Education. It also favors open enrollment across school systems. The House has released a third version, which would allow well-performing public schools to see more flexibility on student testing requirements, while the state would take on more costs to pay public school teachers and staffers’ health-insurance benefits, reports the Tennessee Journal.

Nashville's Metro Council on Tuesday unanimously passed Mayor Freddie O'Connell's $514 million capital spending package. The second phase of construction of a new Juvenile Justice Center will receive $60 million of that total, reports the Tennessean. The facility is slated to open in spring 2027. Other funded projects include upgrades and maintenance for Metro Nashville Public Schools and transportation-related initiatives.

Legal Aid of East Tennessee (LAET) will host a power of attorney/advanced health care directives clinic on March 21 at 10 a.m. EST at the Jonesborough Senior Center, 307 E. Main St., Jonesborough 37659. Volunteering remotely is an option. Contact Caroline Rogers with questions or to volunteer.

The 2024 Elder Law Forum will take place in person July 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. CDT at the Belmont University College of Law. This annual staple for Tennessee attorneys provides insight from top professionals while allowing attendees to meet with other lawyers in the practice area. Topics will include litigation in elder law, dementia concerns, conservatorships, helping clients suffering from dementia, ethics, and much more.

Facing an unprecedented increase in threats and violence, more than 70% of federal judges have enrolled in the government's home intrusion protection program, according to the U.S. Marshals service, which oversees the program. Judicial officers have seen a sharp increase in threats increasing from 179 in 2019 to 457 in 2023, Bloomberg Law reports. There has also been an increase in "swatting" incidents where someone falsely reports a crime at a targeted individual's location in order to draw a heightened law enforcement response.

Jeffery D. Parrish of Scotts Hill died Feb. 18 at the age of 61. A graduate of the University of Memphis School of Law, Parrish began his legal career in private practice, later handling corporate health care matters. He practiced with Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis LLP for many years. Most recently, he was state counsel and field director for U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn. In addition to his professional career, Parrish enjoyed travel, music, food and boating. Visitation will be held tomorrow from 3-7 p.m. CST at St. Regina Catholic Church, 108 Skyline Ln., Parsons 38363. A funeral mass will be held at the church on Friday at noon.

Make plans now to join colleagues from across the state at the TBA’s Annual Convention, set for June 12-15 in Memphis. The event will return to the Peabody Hotel, located in the heart of downtown Memphis with easy access to restaurants and entertainment. Programming is still being planned, but perennial favorites such as the Bench Bar program, Lawyers Lunch and joint event with the Tennessee Judicial Conference will be on the agenda. The Tennessee Lawyers Association for Women, Tennessee Alliance for Black Lawyers and Tennessee Trial Lawyers' Association also will hold meetings and events that week at the Peabody. This year’s theme — “A Bridge to the Future” — will bring compelling CLE programs focused on artificial intelligence and how this rapidly expanding technology will impact the practice of law. Watch for more information coming soon to the event webpage.