The Bar Exam has been canceled (sort of). July is usually bar exam time in Tennessee (as well as all over the country). Like nearly everything else about our lives, the bar exam is going to be drastically different in Tennessee in 2020.
As a result of this Order, Tennessee bar applicants now–for the first time ever–have the option of taking a private, online exam. As you can see from the responses to the Tennessee Supreme Court Justice’s tweet (really, people?), no decision is going to please everybody.
It’s either too much of a departure from tradition (for the older crowd) or too little of a change to the status quo (for the progressives).
Twitter can be pretty awful.
Speaking of how it’s impossible to make everybody happy. As law firms are trying new models as they pivot into the new world, this tweet spoke to me on a DNA level:
This is absolutely true. A law firm is generally full of highly critical (in a good way), smart, risk-adverse know-it-alls (in a bad way). I’ve seen hotly contested arguments about what soda to stock in the law firm kitchen. Good luck with your nimble pivots, managing partners.
Diversity Matters. The past few months have provided eye-opening lessons about privilege and opportunity for so many of us. Especially those in leadership positions at law firms.
In early June, I started to receive all the Black Lives Matters marketing e-blasts, so I know that many law firms recognize the PR benefit of supporting this movement.
But, I also know these law firms and judge them on their actions (as well as their words).
Law firms, what are you doing about diversity? And not just the 2020 associate class. I’m talking about the future years’ classes too. What support are you providing to nurture and provide opportunities to current law students? What about college students from non-privileged backgrounds who want to be lawyers? What about your staff (both present and future)? What educational or institutional policies are you introducing to your practices in response? What are you doing to support the movement in your community?
Separately, am I–personally–doing everything that I can? Are you?
Bankruptcy, Bankruptcy, Bankruptcy. I posted last week about the starring role that bankruptcy lawyers will play in the coming months. Others agree:
Bankruptcies are heating up in the Middle District of Tennessee. Every day, I’m getting calls for representation on a new creditor bankruptcy case filed in Nashville.
Buy a Bankruptcy Code book, young lawyers.
Creditors Rights 101 