BarBuzz

In this special convention edition of BarBuzz, recorded live at the TBA's Annual Convention in Knoxville, host Azya Thornton talks with TBA leaders, staff and exhibitors about the future of the legal profession and the association. The episode features TBA President Charlotte Knight Griffin, YLD President Jennifer Sneed Perry, Executive Director Sheree Wright and new Data and Systems Analyst David...

In the latest episode of BarBuzz, the TBA recognizes National Treatment Court Month with a conversation focused on Tennessee's recovery courts, mental health courts and veterans treatment courts. We are joined by Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals Judges Tim Easter, Tom Greenholtz, Steven Sword and Stacy Street to discuss how treatment courts are helping address substance use and mental health ch...

In this episode of BarBuzz, Communications Coordinator Azya Thornton sits down with Jennifer Vossler, director of education and professional development, and Jarod Word, senior education and professional development coordinator, to discuss how the Tennessee Bar Association continues to expand and adapt its CLE programming. The conversation highlights the success and growth of the Estate Planning &...

On this month's episode of BarBuzz, Communications Coordinator Azya Thornton sits down with Knoxville attorney E. Michael Brezina III to break down the rapidly evolving world of college sports law. From name, image and likeness deals to high-profile eligibility litigation involving University of Tennessee athletes, this episode explores how Tennessee has become a focal point in the national conver...

The latest episode of BarBuzz  takes a deep dive into legislative advocacy and what Tennessee lawyers can expect from the Tennessee Bar Association during the 2026 legislative session. We are joined by TBA lobbyists Berkley Schwarz, Ashley Harbin and Brad Lampley to discuss priorities for the second year of the 114th General Assembly, including indigent representation funding, adoption, family and...

This month's episode of BarBuzz takes a festive and reflective turn. Hosts Azya Thornton and Hank Elliott share lighthearted courtroom stories and holiday traditions submitted by TBA members and staff — from memorable probate court moments to cookie baking, tamale-making and even a legendary flour fight. The episode wraps up by looking ahead to 2026, including an exciting milestone for the Tenness...

In this episode of BarBuzz, TBA Executive Director Sheree Wright sits down with TBA President Heidi Barcus, the association's 145th president, for a thoughtful conversation on leadership, service and the legal profession. A Knoxville attorney and shareholder at Lewis Thomason, Barcus reflects on being sworn in at the TBA Annual Convention in Franklin, her path from in-house counsel to private prac...

The newest episode of BarBuzz explores the intersection of love and law with Memphis attorney Lucie Brackin, a partner at Rogers & Brackin. In "The Legal Side of Love: Family Law and Celebrity Prenups," host Azya sits down with Brackin to discuss common misconceptions about prenuptial agreements, navigating tough relationship conversations and what high-profile couples like Taylor Swift and Travis...

In this episode of BarBuzz, TBA staff celebrates Pro Bono Month in Tennessee by highlighting the attorneys and organizations keeping the spirit of service alive year-round. The episode features Cristina Arce de Bagaglio of the Community Legal Center, Michele Johnson of the Tennessee Justice Center and Nicole Grida of Memphis Area Legal Services. They share stories from the front lines of providing...

This month's  BarBuzz episode spotlights Montgomery Bell Academy's outstanding triumph at the 2025 National High School Mock Trial Championship in Phoenix. After first capturing the Tennessee state title, MBA went on to bring home the national crown—marking Tennessee's third championship win on the national stage. Coaches Wade Cowan and Tracy Hancock, along with team member Russell Howard, join th...

In this episode of BarBuzz , hosts Azya and Liz sit down with Zac Oswald, Brant Harrell, Anne-Louise Wirthlin, and Kyle Stack to dive deeper into "Access to Justice in the Age of AI," the featured cover story in the May/June Tennessee Bar Journal .  Each guest contributed their insights and experiences to the article and share how they're using technology — from AI tools to the Justice Bus — to ex...

On this month episode of BarBuzz TBA Executive Director, Sheree Wright, sits down with retired attorneys Jim Barry and Carl Seely. They discuss life after retirement, what retired attorneys can do to help their community, and how to stay active in your golden years. You can find resources for retired attorneys and senior lawyers at the TBA Wellness Recources page. Thanks to our episode sponsor AIM...

On this month episode of Bar Buzz TBA Executive Director, Sheree Wright, sits down with Liz Todaro, TBA's Director of Access to Justice & Special Projects, and John Farringer, commercial litigator with Sherrard Roe Voigt & Harbison to talk about the AOC's plan for funding indigent representation. TBA Indigent page:  https://www.tba.org/?pg=Indigent_Representation-Resources Big Shrimp and Day on th...

TBA Executive Director, Sheree Wright, sits down with TBA lobbyist Berkley Schwarz and Ashley Harbin to discuss the TBA's goals for this legislative session. To check out our weekly legislative update podcast click here. Special thanks to our episode sponsor - Attorneys Insurance Mutual Check out what all AIM offers here.

For more info on TLAP visit https://tlap.org/ And to get involved with the TBA's Wellness Commitee contact: Brad Bald  bradley.bald@lifestylecommunities.com Here is the bedtime mocktail recipe mentioned in the episode.   1/3 cup herbal tea (choose one based on your preferences; consider one with orange and passion fruit) ½ cup tart cherry juice Lime juice to taste Club soda (make in a high ball gl...

Check out Pro Bono recourses and opportunities here .  Email us with your ideas or messages - Azya Thornton Thanks for supporting the Tennessee Bar Association!

See all our CLE courses coming up this fall - https://cle.tba.org/ Email us with your ideas or messages - Azya Thornton Thanks for supporting the Tennessee Bar Association!

A conversation with TBA Executive Director Sheree Wright and Judge Ellen Hobbs Lyle.

A conversation with TBA President Jim Barry

The Art of Pro Bono with Linda Seely

Featuring the new Executive Director of the TBA, Sheree Wright   Leadership Law: https://www.tba.org/?pg=tba-leadership-law-program   JobLink Career Center: https://jobs.tba.org/

Memphis attorney Asia Diggs Meador, General Counsel & Senior Vice President of Compliance & Human Resources at Meritan, joins BarBuzz for the first show of 2023! Tune in for bar association news and important updates from the Tennessee legal community! 

It's a special holiday episode of the TBA's BarBuzz podcast! Nashville attorney Courtney Leyes of Fisher Phillips joins the show this month to talk legal news, TBA happenings and much more! 

Nashville solo attorney Shellie Handelsman joins this month's episode of BarBuzz to discuss November's top legal news stories and the latest events and happenings at the Tennessee Bar Association! 

It's a very spooky episode of the TBA's BarBuzz podcast! TBA's brand new YLD and Law School Development Coordinator Laura Labenberg joins the show to discuss legal news and bar association events for the upcoming month and beyond.