Don't forget to renew your Tennessee Bar Association membership for 2026-2027? Online renewal is now open to continue your access to TBA Today, the Tennessee Bar Journal, three free hours of CLE, resources for starting and building a new firm and free legal research tool, as well as savings on a range of products and services. Be sure to check out TBA's new pro bono portal, solo health insurance plan and expanded discounts on travel. Attorneys not participating in the TBA's firm billing program can log in and renew through their MyTBA dashboard. The TBA membership team will be working with firm administrators for those participating in firm billing so check with your firm administrator if you have questions about that process.

A Nashville man who has spent nearly two decades in prison for a 2005 murder he maintains he did not commit is awaiting a final decision from Gov. Bill Lee after the Tennessee Board of Parole recommended his exoneration. According to the Tennessean, Thomas Clardy was convicted of first-degree murder but has long asserted his innocence, a claim his attorneys and supporters — including the Tennessee Innocence Project — persuaded a majority of the board to support in February. The board’s recommendation is nonbinding, leaving Lee to determine whether to formally exonerate Clardy. In interviews, Clardy described a mix of relief and frustration as he continues to wait in prison, having previously been released for nearly two years before an appellate court reversed that decision in 2025.

The U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals has dismissed a request from three former Memphis police officers charged in Tyré Nichols’ death, which would have allowed them to conduct discovery into alleged disparaging comments by then U.S. District Judge Mark Norris. According to the Daily Memphian, the men — Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley and Justin Smith — were seeking to overturn U.S. District Judge Sheryl Lipman's ruling on discovery, which she rejected when she granted new trials to the former officers. In documents filed this week, the 6th Circuit said it lacked jurisdiction to consider the cross-appeals, noting defendants cannot challenge interlocutory decisions in that manner. It did, however, say that the former officers may raise their arguments at a later stage. Meanwhile, the government's appeal of Lipman's ruling granting a new trial is still pending before the court.

Bradley Arant Boult Cummings has launched a Medical Office Buildings Team to serve clients in the medical real estate market, the Nashville Post reports. The team will be led by Nashville-based real estate partners Robert Leonard and Elizabeth Sauer, along with Dallas-based counsel Lawrence McFarland. Composed of real estate and health care attorneys, the group will advise clients on regulatory requirements, zoning laws and health care-specific compliance issues, and provide counsel on medical office building projects and the formation of investment vehicles. The team also will structure joint ventures, assist with financing and work with borrowers and lenders. “Our robust team of health care real estate attorneys regularly assists clients with medical real estate assets that not only serve as premier investment opportunities, but also as vital continuum-of-care delivery hubs,” Leonard said in a press release.

A new study finds that earning a law degree increases graduates’ earnings by an average of 59%, trailing only medicine and pharmacy degrees, Reuters reports. Average income rose from about $55,500 before law school to more than $132,500 after graduation. The study also found that higher-ranked law schools tend to produce greater financial returns, aligning with American Bar Association data showing elite institutions send more graduates into large law firms with starting salaries of about $225,000. After accounting for the relatively high cost of law school, researchers found a law degree still yields a 41% earnings boost.

The Knoxville Bar Foundation recently announced it will award grants to local law-related projects and programs in June, continuing a longstanding effort that has distributed more than $600,000 in funding since its inception. Individual grants typically are $5,000 or less, and applications are due by April 30. Funding may not be used for operating costs or endowments. The foundation encourages interested organizations to apply and learn more on its website.

TBA offers optional dues levels to meet your individual circumstances. Instead of joining at the standard $315 level, you can choose to use our optional income-based membership levels, which are based on law-related income. With dues that match your income, you can take full advantage of all TBA benefits for access to unlimited legal research, three hours of free CLE, daily legal news with TBA Today, TBA's Law Firm in a Box, insurance options and much more. Start your membership today. Here are the dues options available:

• $0 - $25,000 = $150
• $25,001 - $50,000 = $210
• $50,001- $75,000 = $270
• $75,001 - $100,000 = $315
• Over $100,000 = $350

Staying connected to colleagues, as well as developments in your practice area, legislation impacting the profession, recent court opinions and relevant legal news is easy with the TBA. Events such as the TBA Annual Convention, Big Shrimp Legislative Reception and opportunities for public and pro bono service provide invaluable opportunities for connecting and networking with fellow lawyers. The TBA Today daily newsletter, daily court opinions and unlimited free legal research in all 50 states keep you informed and better equipped to help clients. Members also can customize their membership by joining one or more of TBA’s 33 sections focused on education, practice area expertise and more. Get started here!

Practicing law can be expensive. Being a lawyer is more than just the law — it’s a business. Use TBA membership benefits to help you save money and access the insurance options you need. Immediate savings include unlimited legal research in all 50 states, three free hours of CLE, member discounts, student loan refinancing, and access to group health insurance, life insurance and preferred providers for malpractice insurance. These benefits will help your bottom line and keep costs low to help you focus on the practice of law. Members also have access to leadership programs, hundreds of resources for law practice management, and receive daily legal news and court opinions. Start your membership here.

The Tennessee Bar Association (TBA) and Tennessee’s American Inns of Court are now accepting nominations for the 2026 Judge Pamela L. Reeves Tennessee Professionalism Award. The annual award is presented to a lawyer or judge whose life and practice display sterling character and unquestioned integrity, coupled with ongoing dedication to the highest standards of the rule of law and the highest standards of the legal profession in Tennessee. This year's award will be presented to a lawyer or judge residing in the Eastern Grand Division. Nominees must be alive when nominations are submitted but they need not be an active member of an American Inn of Court or the TBA. The award will be presented at the TBA's Annual Convention, which will be held in Knoxville June 10-13. The deadline for submitting nominations is May 8. See past recipients of the award.