The ceremonial passing of the gavel signaled the transfer of the leadership of the Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section (TIPS). Outgoing chair Thea M. Capone handed over the chair’s duties to John C. McMeekin II. The event took place at the TIPS annual business meeting, held virtually at the ABA Annual Meeting on July 31, 2020, when officers for the 2020–2021 bar year were officially elected.
The Honorable Bernice B. Donald received the first Lifetime Liberty Achievement Award on September 16, 2020, presented virtually. This award, sponsored by Thomson Reuters, celebrates the lawyers and judges who have spent their career actively promoting diversity and inclusion within the legal profession.
Nominated by President Barack Obama in 2011, Judge Donald currently serves as circuit judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Prior to that, Judge Donald was appointed by President Bill Clinton to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee in 1995. Judge Donald was the first African American woman to serve as a bankruptcy judge and the first African American woman to serve as a judge in the state of Tennessee.
Judge Donald has been the recipient of over 100 awards for professional, civic, and community activities, including the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Memphis, the Martin Luther King Community Service Award, and the Benjamin Hooks Award presented by the Memphis Bar Foundation. She has also been a dedicated ABA and TIPS member, serving as cochair of the TIPS Diversity and Inclusion Committee and chair of the ABA’s Commission on Opportunities for Minorities in the Profession.
Recently produced CLE webinars include:
How to Preserve Diversity & Inclusion Investments within the Legal Industry During a Downturn
September 17, 2020 | On-Demand
Expert panelists discuss how to ensure your organization’s diversity and inclusion investments are preserved. Learn how to build in bias disruption mechanisms during decision-making discussions and involving a senior legal leader, with an understanding of the social and network impact of layoffs.
Legal Writing: A Judge’s Perspective on the Science and Rhetoric of the Written Word
August 26, 2020 | On-Demand
Judge Robert E. Bacharach, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, author of Legal Writing, draws on the field of psycholinguistics, using numerous examples from famous oratory and passages from briefs and opinions, as well as empirical data, to show how to enhance the clarity of one’s communication.
ERISA Litigation and Attorneys’ Fees
August 20, 2020 | On-Demand
Expert panelists discuss awards of attorney fees when a case is remanded for further review by the plan administrator in litigation, fee awards to prevailing defendants in ERISA litigation, and recent trends regarding the determination of what constitutes a reasonable attorney fee in single-plaintiff ERISA benefits litigation.
Best Practices for Placing Cutting Edge “Cyber” Insurance: Policyholder, Insurer and Broker Perspectives
August 1, 2020 | On-Demand
The stream of data breaches and other serious cybersecurity and data privacy and protection-related incidents can play a vital role in an organization’s strategy to address, mitigate, and maximize protection against these risks. Learn practical tips for placing cutting-edge cyber insurance coverage.
For additional and up-to-date TIPS program information, visit the TIPS CLE & Meetings web page.
As we continue to navigate the COVID-19 crisis, the Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section is committed to supporting our members by providing information, resources, and benefits that are of the most value to you. Look for upcoming webinars on the topics you asked for!