Ben F. Jones Chapter of the National Bar Association

Last night, the Ben F. Jones Chapter of the National Bar Association hosted The Memphis Mixer, a wonderful event during the National Convention in Vegas. It was a fantastic opportunity to reunite with our members and even welcome cousins from Nashville. Everyone had a fantastic time, and we're already discussing plans for The Memphis Mixer in Chicago 2025. We look forward to seeing everyone there!

The Ben F. Jones Chapter of the National Bar Association Congratulates Tennessee’s own Ashley Upkins, Esq.,
TABL and Napier-Looby lifetime member on being elected as the National Bar Association’s 2024-2025 President-Elect!
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If you’re in Vegas for the National Bar Association’s 99th Annual Convention, join us for the BFJ Memphis Mixer!

Vista Lounge is inside the host hotel, Caesar’s Palace.

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Ben F. Jones Chapter Members, are you in Las Vegas for the National Bar Association Conference this week? If so, we would love to spend a little time in fellowship with you this evening! Please contact President Shaw if you have any questions.

Congratulations Chasity S. Grice, Attorney at Law!

https://www.wsj.com/personal-finance/grief-then-paperwork-the-messy-thankless-job-of-an-estate-executor-6bb1e228?st=tmfuwo6gqrdh8tw&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3HCngETznutHQFbosAe9GauDKwgdKTKmGAlLsQuxeGew_eTXLCxxHZj0k_aem_mdznUAGxF17KzIQsiZeWEw

Grief, Then Paperwork: The Messy, Thankless Job of an Estate Executor The role can also entail family drama and tracking down heirs.

General Body Meeting TODAY!
June 20, 2024 at 5:30
Hospitality Hub
590 Washington Ave.

We had an amazing time at the TABL Conference last week. Thank you to everyone that made this conference successful and to our TABL delegate, Jackie Richardson for representing the Ben F. Jones Chapter!

TN Alliance for Black Lawyers - TABL

Join us tomorrow for the CLE:
“Doing Your Best Virtually”

Friday, June 14, 2024 @ 10:00 am (1.5 Dual Hours)
The Peabody Hotel Grand Ballroom B

TBA Convention | Memphis

Presented by: ALSAC St Jude

Panelists
Hon. Valerie Smith | Shelby County Circuit Court Judge, Division 3
John Murphy | Mercury Legal Group PLLC
Bridgett Stigger | Federal Express Corporation
Laquita Stokes | Stokes Family Law, PLLC
Claire Tuley | Baker Donelson

Moderator: Quinton Thompson, Morgan & Morgan

Please join us for our June general body meeting and our Juneteenth service project in partnership with the Hospitality Hub!
Please use the link to let us know you are coming! https://forms.gle/rq4rgjye2Vg5xu2GA

Everybody lawyering will be in Memphis next week!
Let’s support both conferences!

Thursday, June 13, 2024!

Have you registered for the Conference?

✨ Congratulations Attorney Justin Bailey!

✨Congratulations to our Board Member, Attorney and Chairman of the Memphis City Council ⚖️

Courtesy of

Meet JB Smiley, Jr. ♠️

JB Smiley, Jr. is a native Memphian, hailing from a family of five siblings, born to a social worker and a Bronze Star army soldier. He understands the value of hard work and the importance of a supportive community.
JB’s journey started from a young age, where he learned about teamwork and leadership as a Cub Scout with the Boy Scouts of America. From working as a landfill cleaner to washing dishes, he has never been afraid to get his hands dirty.

After a successful collegiate and semi-professional basketball career, JB pursued a legal education and later a political career. He attended the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law, where he was actively involved as a member of the Law Review, Moot Court Board, and served as Vice President of the Black Law Students Association.

JB’s determination paid off as he successfully passed the Arkansas and Tennessee Bar exams, all while writing his first book, “Born With It: Unleashing Your Greatness.” In 2017, JB founded his law practice, Smiley & Associates, PLLC, in Memphis. The following year, he was recognized by Memphis Flyer as one of the Top 20 Under 30. During that same year, he was appointed as a policy advisor to the Shelby County Clerk and served in that capacity until his election to the Memphis City Council in October 2019.
Currently, JB serves as Chairman of the Memphis City Council and the council liaison for the Downtown Memphis Commission. Recently, he was named the co-chair of the Superintendent of Memphis and Shelby County Schools transition team.

In his spare time, JB enjoys playing basketball, working out, binge-watching Netflix shows, and spending quality time with his dogs, Mighty Mouseand Jax, and his nephew, Bryson Maxwell Smiley. He lives by his father’s words to “never forget the bridge that brought you over” and remains committed to serving his community and making a positive impact.

✨ Congratulations to our Board Member, Attorney, and Chairman of the Memphis City Council, JB Smiley Jr.

Meet JB Smiley, Jr. ♠️

JB Smiley, Jr. is a native Memphian, hailing from a family of five siblings, born to a social worker and a Bronze Star army soldier. He understands the value of hard work and the importance of a supportive community.
JB’s journey started from a young age, where he learned about teamwork and leadership as a Cub Scout with the Boy Scouts of America. From working as a landfill cleaner to washing dishes, he has never been afraid to get his hands dirty.

After a successful collegiate and semi-professional basketball career, JB pursued a legal education and later a political career. He attended the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law, where he was actively involved as a member of the Law Review, Moot Court Board, and served as Vice President of the Black Law Students Association.

JB’s determination paid off as he successfully passed the Arkansas and Tennessee Bar exams, all while writing his first book, “Born With It: Unleashing Your Greatness.” In 2017, JB founded his law practice, Smiley & Associates, PLLC, in Memphis. The following year, he was recognized by Memphis Flyer as one of the Top 20 Under 30. During that same year, he was appointed as a policy advisor to the Shelby County Clerk and served in that capacity until his election to the Memphis City Council in October 2019.
Currently, JB serves as Chairman of the Memphis City Council and the council liaison for the Downtown Memphis Commission. Recently, he was named the co-chair of the Superintendent of Memphis and Shelby County Schools transition team.

In his spare time, JB enjoys playing basketball, working out, binge-watching Netflix shows, and spending quality time with his dogs, Mighty Mouseand Jax, and his nephew, Bryson Maxwell Smiley. He lives by his father’s words to “never forget the bridge that brought you over” and remains committed to serving his community and making a positive impact.
 
Connect with JB at the Power 30 on July 19TH at the Cadre. Tickets are available at www.cgientertainment.com

Until June 30, 2024, the City of Memphis is offering an amnesty period for citation payments, allowing you to settle outstanding citations at half the price. Whether it is a traffic ticket, or another citation issued by the City of Memphis, this is your chance to clear up any outstanding issues at a significantly reduced cost.

To take advantage of this opportunity, visit the Citation Payment Website at [https://epayments.memphistn.gov/traffic/]. Alternatively, contact the City Court Clerk at 901-636-3400 or visit them at 201 Poplar LL-80, Memphis, TN, 38103.

See newsletter sent today for registration link.

Today was a booked and busy day for our chapter. Title VII CLE and Meet & Greet with Southern Illinois University students. Thanks to all the organizers and attendees.

Make sure to register for the Tennessee Alliance for Black Lawyers Conference in Memphis, Tennessee. We hope to see you there!

Meet us at the bay!

Join the Memphis Bar Association at the Public Bistro, June 6th, 5:00 p.m. and kick off Bench Bar 2024! Bench Bar 2024 will be at The Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection in Point Clear, Alabama September 5th-8th, 2024.

🩴RSVP here: https://bit.ly/Meetusatthebay

The H T Lockard Foundation, the Ben F. Jones Chapter of the National Bar Association, the Memphis Bar Association, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission are hosting a CLE commemorating the 60th Anniversary of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act This CLE is sponsored by Butler Snow and Ogletree Deakins, and we have a great agenda featuring Judge Andre Mathis, EEOC General Counsel Karla Gilbride, and EEOC Regional Attorney Faye Williams.  In additional, the CLE will include several notable attorneys who will be discussing a variety of timely topics in the employment law space. There will be a cocktail reception following the CLE.  
 
Cost is $40 for BFJ/MBA Members and $50 for nonmembers. Register Today: https://www.betterunite.com/benfjones1966-60thanniversaryoftitleviiofthecivilrightsact

Congratulations to all of our members and 2024 Bar Foundation Fellows Inductees!

Keep doing the work!

Please read post regarding the Memphis & Shelby County Juvenile Court Closure

Court closed until further notice!

General Body Meeting TODAY!!!
Please note the address change!

GENERAL BODY MEETING NOTICE!
We would like to invite our membership to a conversation with our Mayor & Chief Legal Officer about Moving Memphis Forward. Please RSVP https://forms.gle/enio6W61vJsNe9Di9

🍿🎥🎬 MOVIE PREMIERE🎬🎥🍿

Join Ben. F. Jones Chapter member and executive director of On Location: MEMPHIS (OL:M), Attorney Angela Green, for the Red Carpet Event and Movie Premiere of “5th Step”. Come walk the Red Carpet and help celebrate the first film from OL:M’s Memphis Movie Production Apprentice Program.

Meet the actors, production staff and patrons during the VIP Red Carpet Reception. Watch the movie “5th Step” on the big screen at Malco Powerhouse Cinema & Grill. Join the conversation during the Q&A hosted by Christie Taylor. Each ticket comes with popcorn and a drink complimentary of the Memphis and Shelby County Film & Television Commission. Other patrons include TN Entertainment Commission, Pinnacle Bank, Immaculate Facility Services and Power Media Solutions.

🎟️Ticket Link - in bio

5th Step Film Synopsis

On the day a recovering alcoholic (halfway through his twelve-step program) turns to his brother for help, he is forced to deal with his 5th step and face the complex family dynamics that challenge his recovery.

⚖️ 99th Annual Convention & Exhibits ⚖️

Early Bird Registration ***ENDS MARCH 29***

With 60+ CLE sessions, an interactive state-of-the-art exhibit hall, networking, and star-studded presidential showcases, this year’s Convention is an experience you do not want to miss!!

🎟️Click Here to Register: https://shorturl.at/rCOS5

GENERAL BODY MEETING TODAY
Date: March 28, 2024
Time: 6pm
Location: Zoom

Registration Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMrcumurzoqHtWbCJCzSgJ73RWPVBmFHwwP

Topic: Potential Removal of Shelby County Judicial Seats

Special Guest: Senator London Lamar and Representative Torrey Harris

GENERAL BODY MEETING TODAY
Date: March 28, 2024
Time: 6pm
Location: Zoom

Registration Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMrcumurzoqHtWbCJCzSgJ73RWPVBmFHwwP

Topic: Potential Removal of Shelby County Judicial Seats

Special Guest: Senator London Lamar and Representative Torrey Harris

🎉 We are excited to announce that our Champions: Overcoming Trauma, Building Resilience workshop will take place this fall! 🎉

CVRCC will be facilitating this impactful workshop for youth ages 10-17 at the Youth and Family Resource Center (3157 Powers Road Memphis, TN 38128). These workshops are designed to be standalone so youth can attend any or all of them. If youth attend at least two (2) workshops, they will be entered into a raffle. Workshop dates are November 28th, December 5th, December 12th and December 19th.