The 2024 Corporate Counsel Pro Bono Initiative Gala was hosted April 20 in the Nashville offices of Bass, Berry & Sims, offering a wonderful opportunity for supporters to meet and connect with colleagues from across the state. Event attendees included representatives from sponsoring companies and firms, as well as leaders from the TBA and the Tennessee chapter of Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC). The event included presentation of the inaugural Branham Grants, in support of a pilot legal services project between West Tennessee Legal Services and Aspell Recovery Center. The Branham Grants were established in honor of long-time access to justice champion Andy Branham, who passed away in 2022. Read more and see photos from the event. 

Williamson County Commissioner Brian Beathard has announced he is running for Tennessee's District 65 House seat, The News TN reports. The seat is currently held by Rep. Sam Whitson, who is not seeking reelection. Beathard has served as Williamson County's 11th district commissioner since 2010, as well as the commission chair following an election by his fellow commissioners in 2022. The Texas native currently resides in Franklin and owns and operates RevHD, a local manufacturer of heavy-duty truck parts.

After news that the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) will not fund Memphis Area Legal Services (MALS) for the next fiscal year, leaders with the organization are asking the federal agency to reconsider its decision. Brian Heim, president of MALS’ Board of Directors, says: “We can be better, and that’s what we are trying to do. We think that MALS, especially with our new leadership and our people here in Memphis, are best positioned to continue to serve our community.” Under the LSC’s plan, money previously given to MALS would go to Jackson-based West Tennessee Legal Services, which would then be responsible for serving the Memphis area. Read more Helm’s response in reporting by MLK50: Justice Through Journalism, a nonprofit newsroom in Memphis.

Before adjourning last week, lawmakers gave final approval to a bill that would create civil penalties for adults who help minors cross state lines to get transgender medical care without parental consent. According to the Associated Press, it would be the first law of its kind in the nation if signed by Gov. Bill Lee. The bill mirrors almost the same language from an anti-abortion trafficking proposal lawmakers approved just a day prior. Supporters of the bill said it would protect parents’ rights, while opponents argued that it could be applied broadly to include talking to a minor about website resources. The original version of the bill included criminal penalties, but supporters agreed to civil penalties for violators.

Multiple Tennessee school districts are opting out of a bill passed and signed into law last week that authorizes public school teachers and staff to carry concealed firearms, the Tennessee Journal reports. Under the law, teachers can be armed only if they meet certain criteria and are given permission from local public school and law enforcement officials. The measure does not require parents to be informed if a school decides to allow concealed guns in schools. WKRN has a summary of several school district responses.

Nearly half of junior associates at law firms said law school did not adequately prepare them for practice, according to a new survey. Among the 546 junior associates surveyed by legal recruiting firm Major, Lindsey & Africa and legal data intelligence provider Leopard Solutions, 45% said law school did not sufficiently prepare them for their current role. On the question of whether their law firm experience met their expectations coming out of law school, 31% said it did not. When asked what they would change about their law school experience, the most common answer was more practical skills and a greater focus on transactional practices. Reuters has more on the survey’s findings.

The TBA’s International Law Section will host its annual forum on May 17 in Nashville. Topics include a session on 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 or register here.

The 23rd Judicial District, which consists of Cheatham, Dickson, Houston, Humphreys and Stewart counties, will soon have a new circuit court judge. HB1830/SB2855, sponsored by Rep. Mary Littleton, R-Dickson, creates Division IV in the 23rd Judicial District and adds a judicial seat to serve that court. The judges serve in all capacities — circuit, criminal, civil and chancery — including all domestic relations, according to the Cheatham County Exchange. Gov. Bill Lee will appoint a judge to serve beginning Sept. 1. The seat will then be subject to an election in August 2026.

Shelby County Commissioner Mick Wright is calling on General Sessions Court Judge Bill Anderson to resign based on his leadership of the court’s judicial commissioners. The Daily Memphian reports that Wright's call for resignation is specifically in response to Anderson’s report to county commissioners in March about the decisions judicial commissioners make regarding who should be released on bond or on their own recognizance, and who should remain jailed while awaiting trial.

Register by 11:59 p.m. CDT on April 30 for TBA's Annual Convention in Memphis, June 12-15, to take advantage of Early Bird pricing! The Peabody Hotel has special room rates for convention attendees, so make those reservations by May 22.