Vanderbilt University Law School is seeking volunteers to conduct 20-minute virtual mock interviews for LL.M. students in early February. For more information and to volunteer, contact Legal Studies Program Manager Tricia Crocker at the law school.

TBA Past President Buck Lewis and his wife Malinda have been honored in Memphis and in Knoxville for their work and support of the American Red Cross. Buck Lewis served sequentially as chair of the advisory board in each city. The board room in Knoxville and the red staircase in Memphis have very recently been named in the couple's honor. He began his Red Cross service in 2005 after helping organize legal aid for Hurricane Katrina evacuees in Memphis. His commitment to community service, shaped by his parents’ example and reflected in his work with organizations including the Tennessee Supreme Court Access to Justice Commission and the American Bar Association’s FreeLegalAnswers.org, continues to guide his leadership in strengthening Red Cross partnerships, fundraising and volunteer engagement across the state. Read more on the American Red Cross website.

Lee Beaman, the former Nashville car dealership owner nominated by President Donald Trump to the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) board of directors, faced a Senate committee this week, the Chattanooga Times Free Press reports. Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn introduced Beaman to the committee, saying, “He brings decades of experience in business leadership, community service and organizational governance with him to fill this role at the TVA.” Democrats on the committee questioned Beaman about his ties to Republican U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles. Beaman previously served as Ogles’ campaign treasurer, though he denied holding the position when senators said disclosures were made. Knox News also reports on the hearing. Beaman must still face a committee vote before his nomination can go to the full Senate. If confirmed, his term would expire in 2030.

Yesterday afternoon, Judge Waverly Crenshaw canceled next week’s scheduled evidentiary hearing in the Kilmar Abrego Garcia case pending further order, according to the Nashville Banner newsletter. Among other motions, next week’s hearing was meant to consider the issue of vindictiveness. In October, a federal judge in Nashville ruled there is a “realistic likelihood” the government acted vindictively in bringing human smuggling charges against Garcia, who was deported to El Salvador before being brought to Tennessee in June to face criminal charges. 

The Tennessee Supreme Court has rejected a petition to amend Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Section 10.1 to allow bar associations in the state to access contact information of licensed Tennessee attorneys from the Board of Professional Responsibility. The TBA filed a petition seeking the change in August after the court amended the rule to limit public access to attorneys’ contact information.

Vince Dean has announced he will seek another term as Hamilton County Criminal Court clerk, the Chattanoogan reports. First elected to the position in 2014, Dean said he is pleased to reflect on the accomplishments achieved through the efforts of his administration. One of his first goals was to make the offices he oversees more user-friendly. Dean currently serves on the board of directors for the County Officials Association of Tennessee and on the legislative committee for the State Court Clerks Association of Tennessee.

The TBA will host a webcast on Dec. 9 from 2 to 3 p.m. CST addressing recent changes affecting the use of pooled special needs trusts for clients 65 and older. Elder law experts will discuss TennCare considerations, trust administration issues, ABLE account supplementation and other best practices in light of the evolving legal landscape. For questions about CLE credit, contact jword@tnbar.org. Register on the TBA website. 

The TBA will host a 2025 webcast update on Family Law on Dec. 10 from noon to 1 p.m. CST, featuring Family Law Section Chair K.O. Herston discussing key legislative and case law developments practitioners need to know. A webcast replay will be available on Dec. 23 from 3 to 4 p.m. CST. To register, visit the TBA website.

The TBA will offer a webcast on “Crystal-Clear Communication: Five Techniques to Avoid Ambiguity” on Dec. 18 from noon to 1 p.m. CST, providing practical guidance on improving clarity in modern legal writing. The program will feature before-and-after examples to help attorneys identify unclear drafting and apply techniques for simplifying legal concepts, choosing when to repeat terms, avoiding ambiguous uses of “and,” spotting misplaced modifiers and drafting emails and documents that are easy for lawyers and nonlawyers to understand. Visit the TBA website to register and for more information. 

The TBA is offering an on-demand virtual eight hour package designed to help attorneys quickly complete their remaining CLE requirements before Dec. 31. The package includes a mix of ethics updates, AI and law practice management programs, professional skills and attorney wellness sessions, as well as the 2025 Legislative Update and other popular courses. Check out the specific courses included in the package on the TBA website. Looking for something else? TBA also has six, 10, 12 and 15-hour packages, packages based on specific topics or practice areas, live webcasts and on-demand video all month long. Explore all the options to complete your CLE requirement by Dec. 31.