TBA's Public Service Award are presented annually, honoring three Tennesseans who are champions of legal aid and pro bono work.

Greatness is in the little things, and LawPay helps ensure every detail is accounted for. Provide secure, flexible payment solutions while reducing administrative overhead and ensuring IOLTA compliance. Plus, with features built specifically for legal professionals, like automated scheduled payments and secure payment card storage, it’s no wonder over 50,000 law firms partner with LawPay to go above and beyond. It’s easier than ever to streamline your processes, enhance client satisfaction, and increase retention and referrals. Put simply, LawPay helps Tennessee Bar members exceed expectations every time. Learn more

On March 5, the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) gave a budget presentation to the Senate Judiciary Committee that provided a thorough and candid analysis of the crisis affecting the court system and the need for greater funding for court-appointed counsel. On March 20 — during the Tennessee Bar Association's (TBA) second annual Day on the Hill — the TBA had the opportunity to present testimony before the state House Civil Justice Committee, and on March 26 to the Senate Judiciary Committee, sharing perspectives from Tennessee attorneys. TBA President Jim Barry and Bedford County attorney Garrett Haynes testified before a packed room at the House Civil Justice Committee, and TBA Executive Director Sheree Wright and Williamson County attorney David R. Grimmett testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee. They all spoke passionately about the need to increase the hourly rate and caps for court-appointed attorneys representing the indigent.

The TBA's upcoming Dispute Resolution Forum will be in person this year! An annual staple for Tennessee attorneys, the event provides insight from top professionals in the alternative dispute resolution (ADR) vocation while allowing attendees to meet with other mediators from across the state. Earn up to three ethics and two general CLE credits, plus two mediation ethics and three general continuing education CME credits. Sessions include ethics grievance and arbitration demonstrations, a discussion of community mediation centers, changes in the arbitrability of sexual assault and harassment claims, and settlement malpractice. Join us May 9 in Nashville at the Tennessee Bankers Association Barrett Training Center, located at 211 Athens Way, Nashville 37228. Reserve your spot today!

A new federal rule would close what many have termed the "gun show loophole," but a lawsuit filed by a coalition of 21 state attorneys general, including Tennessee's Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti, could overturn it. The Daily Memphian reports that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) announced its “Final Rule 2022R-17F” in April, which is due to take effect later this month. It essentially updates the definition of a firearms dealer to ensure that almost all such sellers must have a federal firearms license, and therefore conduct background checks on all gun buyers. ATF officials stated that the new rule does not apply to certain sellers — such as someone who sells a gun to a family member or a person who engages in occasional sales as a hobbyist — but the lawsuit from the attorneys general disputes that claim. Skrmetti says the law places too heavy a regulatory burden on individuals “who occasionally sell or trade a firearm.”

Hamilton County District Attorney Coty Wamp has filed a petition to remove Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert after an almost 10-months-long investigation. The Commercial Appeal reports that the filing lists incorrect financial reporting, strains on auto dealers in the county, comptroller deficiencies and Halbert's absence from the May 1 Shelby County Commission meeting where she was supposed to present her corrective action plan as reasons for the petition. The petition does not officially remove Halbert from office, but it requests that she be suspended of her official capacity as county clerk.

Today's theme for Well-Being Week in Law is "Align," designed to cultivate a sense of meaning and purpose in work and life. This is accomplished by aligning one's work and life with values, goals and interests. Need some practical ways to implement this? Do five new things that positively impact or improve the welfare of work colleagues or clients. Choose things outside your normal work routine, and do them all in one day. Research says you’ll get a boost in your work’s meaningfulness. Get other suggestions for implementing today's goals and inspire others by posting about your efforts with the hashtag #WellbeingWeekInLaw. Stay tuned for more well-being tips and resources throughout this week.

The TBA’s International Law Section will host its annual forum on May 17 in Nashville. Topics include how to use the U.S. Federal Trade Office Market Diversification Tool, an introduction to practicing international law, and a discussion with Brie Knox, director of U.S. Commercial Service Tennessee (a division of the International Trade Administration within the U.S. Department of Commerce). Other speakers include Chattanooga lawyer Terry Olsen with the Olsen Law Firm, Nashville lawyer Michael Goode with Lewis Thomason and Hendersonville lawyer George Phillips with Phillips | Ralston. Learn more here.

Memphis lawyer James Torreyson Allison died April 19 at the age of 92. According to an obituary sent to the TBA, Allison was originally from Arkansas. He served in combat in the Korean War with the First Marine Division, and later graduated from the University of Arkansas and Vanderbilt University Law School. He began practicing law in Memphis in 1963 with the firm of Clifton and Mack and then established his own practice. He was well read and fond of jazz, movies and the outdoors. A graveside funeral was held May 2 at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens in Bartlett.

The Tennessee Bar Association (TBA) today filed comments with the Tennessee Supreme Court in response to an order soliciting comments on proposed changes to its Rule 13, regarding the Appointment, Qualifications and Compensation of Counsel for Indigent Defendants. As noted in the order, the proposed revisions did not include any adjustments to the compensation rates and/or caps for appointed attorneys representing the indigent (which will be addressed later). Rather, they addressed the potential financial obligations of a child's parents, legal custodians or guardians when a guardian ad litem is appointed. The proposed changes also addressed the process for designating a case as complex or extended. The TBA’s comments focused on the financial responsibility provisions, the proposed procedure and deadline for requesting a review of compensation in non-capital cases, and the use of alternative agreements for providing representation to indigent persons in some situations. Read the full comments.