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Raising the Bar 2025: 4 General, 1 Dual
This year's Raising the Bar program addresses the age old concept of "the grass is greener on the other side" by emphasizing the notion that the grass is greener where you water it. The stacked roster of attorneys from around the state will offer practical guidance to help lawyers enhance efficiency, reduce stress, and build fulfilling careers. Sessions focus on leveraging technology, exploring alternative and community-focused career paths, developing mediation and coaching practices, and growing a sustainable client base. Attendees will gain tools to work smarter, expand their professional opportunities, and achieve greater balance and satisfaction in their legal careers.
Produced by the TBA Women in the Profession Committee, this program is applicable to all attorneys, as well as those in law firm management positions.
SAVE MONEY: Use the prepaid CLE credits that come with your TBA Complete Membership and save on this course. Not a TBA member? Join now to start saving.
Courses Included
- Raising the Bar: Tech Tips to Optimize Efficiency and Reduce Stress for Lawyers
This session offers valuable insights into enhancing digital presence and improving customer engagement for legal professionals. It covers topics such as case management, client portals, document management, financial management, timekeeping, billing, and security. The presentation is designed to help lawyers streamline their workflows, reduce stress, and improve overall efficiency.
Course InformationFormat:Online VideoDual Credits:1.00General Credits:0.00Speakers/Producers - Raising the Bar: The Unconventional JD - Exploring Alternative Legal Career Paths
For many lawyers, the journey after law school leads away from the traditional law firm path and toward innovative opportunities. This program will feature a diverse panel of legal professionals who have built successful careers in traditional and non-traditional roles. We'll delve into thriving fields for legal professionals, in which panelists will discuss their experiences in or on boards, non-profits, advocacy and policy positions, starting businesses, holding in house counsel positions, government representation, and discuss how to navigate a legal market that increasingly values flexible and diverse skill sets.
Course InformationFormat:Online VideoDual Credits:0.00General Credits:1.00Speakers/Producers
- Meera Ballal, Women's Healthcare Initiative, Nashville
Meera Ballal is the Founder of Women’s Healthcare Initiative, a company that pioneered a protocol for hospitals and medical practices to identify, treat and refer patients experiencing...
- Julie Bennett, Ballad Health, Johnson City
Julie Bennett is Executive Vice President/Chief Legal and Governance Officer and Corporate Secretary for Ballad Health. She serves as the senior legal officer and coordinator of governance...
- Sara Myers, Southern Poverty Law Center, Nashville
Sara Beth Myers serves as Deputy General Counsel for the Southern Poverty Law Center, a historic nonprofit that seeks racial justice in the South and beyond by working with community partners to...
- Meera Ballal, Women's Healthcare Initiative, Nashville
- Raising the Bar: Own Your Future - Strategies for Growing Your Client Base
Developing and sustaining your own book of business is a critical skill for any lawyer seeking greater professional independence, flexibility, and long-term success. This session will feature a panel of experienced attorneys who have built thriving practices across a variety of practice areas. They will share practical, real-world strategies for identifying and attracting clients, nurturing professional relationships, and positioning yourself as a trusted resource in your field.
Panelists will also discuss how to align business development with your personal values and career goals, offering insight on how to create a practice that not only supports your financial objectives but also brings you professional satisfaction. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow an existing client base, this program will provide actionable tips to help you take control of your schedule, your clients, and your future.
Course InformationFormat:Online VideoDual Credits:0.00General Credits:1.00Speakers/Producers
- Heidi Barcus, Lewis Thomason, Knoxville
Heidi A. Barcus has been involved in complex litigation involving the areas of professional negligence, medical defense, health care law, long term care, prison health and a wide range of insurance...
- Dixie Cooper, Cumberland Litigation, PLLC, Brentwood
Selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers of America and Tennessee Super Lawyers Mid-South in the specialty of medical malpractice defense, Dixie W. Cooper’s practice focuses... - Johnika Everhart, Geeter Law Office, PLLC, Chattanooga
Ms. Johnika Geeter-Everhart is the owner and founder of Geeter Law Office, PLLC. She is a Chattanooga native and she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from University of...
- Heidi Barcus, Lewis Thomason, Knoxville
- Raising the Bar: Watering Your Neighbors’ Yards While Watering Your Own--Using Your Legal Skills To Do Good in the Community (And for Yourself)
Have you ever felt 'stuck' in your career, as if you've gone as far as you can? Do you have a passion for something other than the law? Would you like to broaden your network? Consider applying your legal skills and talents to make your community a better place to live. There is a reason attorneys are sought after to serve on boards--we have skills, insights and connections that others just don't possess. However, community involvement isn't entirely
altruistic. This session will challenge you to look at what you can do with your legal skills in service to the profession and to our communities, and will share how it benefits you in the process.Course InformationFormat:Online VideoDual Credits:0.00General Credits:1.00Speakers/Producers
- Lisa Cole, Lewis Thomason, P.C., Nashville
Lisa is president and managing shareholder of Lewis Thomason and the managing partner of the firm’s Nashville office. As president of the firm, Cole serves as the firm’s General...
- Sherie Edwards, Nashville Bar Association President Elect, Nashville
Sherie Edwards recently retired from her role as Vice President of Corporate and Legal, a position which she held from January of 2015 to July 1, 2024. She joined SVMIC in November of 1998 as a Claims...
- Laquita Stokes, Stokes Family Law PLLC, Memphis
Laquita R. Stokes is the founding member of Stokes Family Law, PLLC, a law firm located in Memphis, Tennessee. She is licensed to practice law in Tennessee and primarily practices in the areas of...
- Lisa Cole, Lewis Thomason, P.C., Nashville
- Raising the Bar: Expanding Your Practice or Portfolio
Rebecca Blair will provide an overview of the process for becoming a Rule 31–listed mediator and offer practical guidance on establishing and maintaining a mediation practice. Her presentation will also address the potential benefits and challenges associated with incorporating mediation into a broader legal career.
Psonya Hackett will discuss the professional pathway to becoming a certified divorce coach, including certification requirements and strategies for building a sustainable coaching practice. In addition, she will outline how supplemental tools—such as an Amazon storefront and the use of TikTok Live—can serve as innovative methods for client engagement and practice development.
Course InformationFormat:Online VideoDual Credits:0.00General Credits:1.00Speakers/Producers
- Rebecca Blair, The Blair Law Firm, Brentwood
Rebecca is listed in The Best Lawyers in America in the fields of Personal Injury Litigation and Business Litigation. She has been listed with Mid-South Super Lawyers since 2009. She was selected to a...
- Psonya Hackett, The Estate and Family Law Group, Memphis
Psonya Hackett joined the practice of law in 1999, after graduating from Ole Miss Law School. During her early years, she mainly practiced family law and represented kids in the Youth Courts of...
- Rebecca Blair, The Blair Law Firm, Brentwood
- Member: 250.00
- Non-Member: 450.00 (Includes TBA Complete Membership)
TBA members who are judges, lawmakers and law students can take TBA CLE onsite courses at no charge for the programming. There may be a separate charge if meals, special materials or other premium features are involved.
General Credits: 4
Total Credits: 5 Highlights
- Convenient CLE package
- Ethics Credits Available