Juvenile Court Judge Sheila Calloway is urging parents to talk to their children about the seriousness of school threats. WKRN reports that dozens of teens have been arrested for threatening Metro Nashville schools just since school started. “They absolutely don’t understand what they’re doing,” Calloway said in an interview with the news outlet. “They don’t understand how serious that can be. They’re not really thinking about all of the trauma our community has suffered from true school violence.” She said that when teens are in her courtroom, she has heard myriad reasons why students make threats. “It’s anything from ‘I was being bullied and didn’t know how to respond,' to 'I didn’t want to take a test’, ‘I wasn’t ready for my homework’, or ‘I was not wanting to go to school today.'”

Tennessee Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson, R-Franklin, this week stated that he will file a new universal school voucher proposal on Nov. 6, and expects House Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland, to do the same in the House. Chalkbeat reports that Johnson plans to have the new bill be the first filed for Tennessee’s upcoming legislative session. Gov. Bill Lee has continued to promote the plan after it did not pass in the last session. The 114th Tennessee General Assembly convenes on Jan. 14, 2025.

Due to damage from Hurricane Helene, several East Tennessee counties have alternate polling places for early voters and for Election Day. Knox News details the changes in Carter, Cocke, Greene, Johnson, Unicoi and Washington counties. The U.S. Department of Justice and the Tennessee Secretary of State say they are working with local election administrators to ensure every county maintains its access to voting in the lead up to election day on Nov. 5.

Amy Willoughby Bryant, director of the Metro Nashville Office of Conservatorship Management and a member of TBA's Board of Governors, last week was elected as National Guardianship Association (NGA) president at the group's national conference. She will take office in January 2025. NGA represents more than 1000 guardians, conservators and fiduciaries from across the United States. It seeks to protect adults by ensuring that their guardians receive quality education and access to resources. The NGA also partners with other organizations such as the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, the American Bar Association, the National College of Probate Judges and the AARP to affect positive change in guardianship and conservatorship policy.

The Trial Court Vacancy Commission will consider five applicants when it meets Nov. 12 in Sevierville to select nominees for a circuit court judge vacancy in the 4th Judicial District, which includes Cocke, Grainger, Jefferson and Sevier counties. The applicants are Jeremy D. Ball, Lu Ann H. Ballew, Susan Joanne Sheldon, Luke A. Shipley and S. Lane Wolfenbarger. The public hearing will be held in the third-floor courtroom of the Sevier County Courthouse, 125 Court Ave., Sevierville 37862 at 9 a.m. EST. The commission is expected to vote immediately following the interviews and forward three names to Gov. Bill Lee for his consideration. A vacancy on the court was created following the death of Judge O. Duane Slone on Aug. 24. Learn more about the candidates in a press release from the Administrative Office of the Courts.

One of the most important responsibilities of the TBA is to advocate for the legal profession and our system of justice with Tennessee policymakers. TBA’s Government Affairs team is committed to affecting positive change on behalf of Tennessee attorneys and we want your help! Through our Grassroots Advocacy Initiative, the TBA is building a network of lawyers who are informed and engaged about issues relevant to the practice of law in our state. Please complete this form if you are interested in learning more, including opportunities to advocate. Learn more about TBA's ongoing advocacy efforts related to indigent representation.

The TBA is partnering with the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council (TUFC) to host a half-day forum focused on urban forestry and legal issues affecting municipal governance and sustainability. The "Trees and the Law" event kicks off the TUFC's annual meeting, which will highlight how individuals, organizations and municipalities are engaging to make an impact in communities. Join colleagues on Nov. 13 at noon CST at the Scarritt Bennett Center in Nashville. Get session information and register here. Members of the TBA Environmental Law Section enjoy discounted registration. Not a section member? Join here.

The Southern Region of the National Black Law Student Association (SRBLSA) will hold its 54th regional conference, "Leading the Charge: Together Toward Tomorrow," in Nashville Feb. 19-23, 2025. The event will consist of workshops, a job fair, panels and a mock trial competition. The event coordinators are seeking individuals willing to judge the competition and serve on panels. Click here for more information or contact Tia Nickens.

Twenty members of the TBA gathered at Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park in Manchester last month to participate in the Young Lawyers Division's (YLD) inaugural Exploration CLE. Attendees heard a presentation on ethical pitfalls for new lawyers as well as two presentations focused on health and wellness. A highlight of the day was a ranger-led hike through the park and lunch at a picnic pavilion. The Exploration series is produced in collaboration with the TBA Attorney Well Being Committee and will continue at Fall Creek Falls State Park on May 30. See photos from the event.

Twenty members of the TBA recently gathered at Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park in Manchester to participate in the Young Lawyers Division's (YLD) inaugural Exploration CLE. Attendees heard a presentation on ethical pitfalls for new lawyers as well as two presentations focused on health and wellness. A highlight of the day was a ranger-led hike through the park and lunch at a picnic pavilion. The Exploration series is produced in collaboration with the TBA Attorney Well Being Committee. Stay tuned for information on the next state park visit. See photos from the event.