The TBA’s Legislative Updates podcast returns this week with TBA attorneys and lobbyists Brad Lampley and Ashley Harbin of Adams & Reese. They discuss the family law bill SB2324/HB2429, Gov. Bill Lee’s amended budget, the legislature’s final budget debates and the approaching end of the 2026 legislative session. Tune in on the TBA website or through this link. Attorneys interested in supporting the TBA’s lobbying efforts can contribute to LAWPAC.

Close to 90% of Tennessee counties — 84 out of 95 — recorded unemployment rates below 5% in January, even as most saw increases from the previous month, according to the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Unemployment rates rose in 90 counties from December to January, decreased in three counties and remained unchanged in two. Tennessee’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.5% in January, down one-tenth of a percentage point from December and eight-tenths of a percentage point below the national rate of 4.3%. Additional details are available in the department’s press release.

Leadership Middle Tennessee (LMT) has named Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Jill Bartee Ayers as the recipient of its 2026 Jack B. Turner Regionalism Award. The award will be presented at the organization’s annual Ignite fundraiser Saturday at the Hilton Nashville Airport Terminal. The award recognizes an alumnus or alumna who demonstrates exceptional leadership, a commitment to regional collaboration and a lasting impact on the Middle Tennessee community. Ayers is a graduate of LMT's 2010 class and a past board chair. “Judge Ayers represents the very best of Leadership Middle Tennessee,” said Board Chair Leisa Byars in a press release. The Ignite Unplugged event brings together regional leaders for an evening of connection, storytelling and celebration.

Legal Aid of East Tennessee (LAET), LMU Duncan School of Law and the law firm of Egerton McAfee, Armistead & Davis will hold an estate planning legal advice clinic on April 18 from 9 a.m. to noon p.m. EDT. The clinic will assist legal aid clients draft and execute wills, advanced directives, healthcare powers of attorney and durable powers of attorney. The event will take place at the Duncan School of Law, 601 West Summit Hill Dr. SW, Knoxville 37902. Lawyers who would like to volunteer should indicate their interest by emailing rkeller@laet.org.

The TBA Young Lawyers Division (YLD) held its inaugural Business College in Nashville. YLD Membership Committee Chair and Nashville attorney, Patrick Morrison, moderated the event. YLD District Representative Claire Tuley from Chattanooga and YLD District Representative Jack Wagster from Nashville presented along with Laura Chastain from the Board of Professional Responsibility. The Business College: Transactional Law Essentials program was designed as a practical refresher and foundation course for new and young attorneys — or any lawyer who wanted to brush up on the basics of transactional law. Special thanks to Baker Donelson for providing space for the program. See photos from the event.

Register now for the TBA’s 2026 Annual Convention, set for June 10-13, in downtown Knoxville. Annual favorites such as the Public Service Breakfast, Lawyers Luncheon, compelling CLE and swearing in of TBA’s new president will return, as will the Wednesday night welcome reception and a Thursday evening reception at Knoxville’s minor league ballpark. This year’s gathering also will include TBA’s first-ever Tech Showcase and lunch and learn opportunities with tech vendors on June 11. Day passes for Thursday are available for those who unable to attend the full convention.

Make plans now to join colleagues from across the state at the TBA’s 2026 Annual Convention, set for June 10-13, in downtown Knoxville. Annual favorites such as the Public Service Breakfast, Lawyers Luncheon, compelling CLE and swearing in of TBA’s new president will return, as will the Wednesday night welcome reception and a Thursday evening reception at Knoxville’s minor league ballpark, home of the Smokies. Again this year, the Tennessee Lawyers' Association for Women (TLAW) and Tennessee Alliance for Black Lawyers (TABL) will hold meetings and events in conjunction with the convention. This year’s convention also will include TBA’s first-ever Tech Showcase and several lunch and learn opportunities with tech vendors on Thursday. The four-day event will take place at the Crowne Plaza Knoxville. Don’t miss this annual gathering of Tennessee lawyers! Access registration, hotel reservation information and more on the event website. Day passes for the Tech Showcase on June 11 also are available for those who unable to attend the full convention. Learn more about that option.

The TBA’s annual Immigration Law Forum will take place May 15 at the new TBA office, located at 3010 Poston Ave., Nashville 37203. In today’s rapidly evolving immigration landscape, the forum will cover key policy updates and practical topics for Tennessee attorneys, including a legislative update from Rep. Yusuf Hakeem, D-Chattanooga, practice management tips, an ethics discussion with the Board of Professional Responsibility on fee changes, and a session with Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition leadership on using court petitions for immigration advocacy. The in-person program will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. CDT and offer up to six general credit hours. For more information and to register visit the TBA website. 

Legislation championed by Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, to adopt a “three-strikes” system for repeat offenders was defeated in the Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday. Before voting the bill down, committee members adopted an amendment to substitute the original language of SB2137. The Tennessee Journal reports that committee chair Todd Gardenhire, R-Chattanooga, opposed the measure because it did not include funding to support its $120 million fiscal note, down from an original estimate of $500 million. Gardenhire joined two other Republicans and two Democrats in rejecting the bill.

The state Senate is considering SB2418, which would require state attorney general approval of any contingent fee contracts between local governments and private-sector attorneys. The bill passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 16. The Senate began considering the measure on April 2 and is scheduled to take it back up on April 13. In the House, HB2069, passed the State & Local Government Committee on April 1 but failed in the full body on April 9 because it failed to garner the constitutional majority vote needed. The bill has been referred to the Judiciary Committee for further consideration on April 14. The Tennessee Journal looks at the mechanism for reconsideration. Learn more about the arguments for and against the bill from Legal Newsline.