Dear CLLA Members,
Mark your calendars for March 5-7 and make plans to join us at the brand-new SongTeller Hotel in downtown Nashville for the CLLA Southern Region Conference!
From engaging speakers and industry updates to networking with fellow professionals, this event is designed to help you connect, learn, and grow. Add in Nashville’s world-famous music, dining, and Southern hospitality, and you have the perfect conference destination.
Register today and be part of an unforgettable experience. We can’t wait to see you in Nashville!
Crystal R. Cole,
Southern Region Chair,
CRC Legal Group, Nashville, TN
Annual Southern Region Essay Contest
The Commercial Law League of America (CLLA) is one of the oldest creditors’ rights organizations in the country. Founded in 1895, the CLLA is comprised of attorneys, judges and other legal professionals who work in the areas of commercial litigation, bankruptcy and insolvency matters. The CLLA Southern District Region will be holding its Southern Region Conference on March 5 – March 6, 2027 in Nashville, TN. In conjunction with this meeting the CLLA Southern Region will be sponsoring a writing contest for law students in the geographical area of where the conference is taking place. The selected winner will receive a $500.00 cash price have their essay published in CLLA’s publication, The Commercial Law World and will be invited to the Southern Region Conference for presentation of the award along with the 2nd and 3rd place entrants. The 2nd place entrant will receive a $250.00 cash prize and the 3rd place entrant will receive a $100.00 cash price. The top three entrants will also receive a one year subscription to the Commercial Law World, and all entrants will receive a one year complimentary admission to the Commercial Law League of America. Current law students from Vanderbilt University Law School, Belmont University College of Law, and Nashville School of Law (“Law Schools”) are invited to submit essays. Contest rules are below. We look forward to reading your submission and to meeting you at the Southern Region Conference!
Dear CLLA Members,
Mark your calendars for March 5-7 and make plans to join us at the brand-new SongTeller Hotel in downtown Nashville for the CLLA Southern Region Conference!
From engaging speakers and industry updates to networking with fellow professionals, this event is designed to help you connect, learn, and grow. Add in Nashville’s world-famous music, dining, and Southern hospitality, and you have the perfect conference destination.
Register today and be part of an unforgettable experience. We can’t wait to see you in Nashville!
Crystal R. Cole,
Southern Region Chair,
CRC Legal Group, Nashville, TN
Annual Southern Region Essay Contest
The Commercial Law League of America (CLLA) is one of the oldest creditors’ rights organizations in the country. Founded in 1895, the CLLA is comprised of attorneys, judges and other legal professionals who work in the areas of commercial litigation, bankruptcy and insolvency matters. The CLLA Southern District Region will be holding its Southern Region Conference on March 5 – March 6, 2027 in Nashville, TN. In conjunction with this meeting the CLLA Southern Region will be sponsoring a writing contest for law students in the geographical area of where the conference is taking place. The selected winner will receive a $500.00 cash price have their essay published in CLLA’s publication, The Commercial Law World and will be invited to the Southern Region Conference for presentation of the award along with the 2nd and 3rd place entrants. The 2nd place entrant will receive a $250.00 cash prize and the 3rd place entrant will receive a $100.00 cash price. The top three entrants will also receive a one year subscription to the Commercial Law World, and all entrants will receive a one year complimentary admission to the Commercial Law League of America. Current law students from Vanderbilt University Law School, Belmont University College of Law, and Nashville School of Law (“Law Schools”) are invited to submit essays. Contest rules are below. We look forward to reading your submission and to meeting you at the Southern Region Conference!
Dolly Parton’s SongTeller Hotel
211 Commerce Street, Nashville, TN 37201
Phone: (888) 938-5469
Dolly Parton’s SongTeller Hotel in Nashville, TN, is a vibrant tribute to the legendary country music icon and her remarkable storytelling legacy. Nestled in the heart of Music City, this unique hotel blends Southern charm with contemporary design, offering guests an immersive experience that celebrates Dolly’s rich musical history. From its thoughtfully curated decor inspired by her songs to a range of exclusive amenities, the SongTeller Hotel invites visitors to explore the soulful narratives behind some of Dolly’s most beloved hits, making it a must-visit destination for music lovers and fans alike.
Professionals who benefit the most are those who attend structured meetings to maximize contact with colleagues from around the US, Canada and abroad. This in-person conference attracts an audience of professionals from various aspects of the commercial law arena interested in forming business connections. The conference site and schedule will allow you to do business and still take advantage of all that Nashville has to offer.
Room cut-off is Friday, February 5, 2027.
Reservation Online
There is a room block associated with this conference at the SongTeller Hotel. Online reservations can be made by clicking this link:
2027 Southern Region HOTEL RESERVATION
Reservation By Phone
Individual reservations can be made by calling (877) 766-4835 by Friday, February 5, 2027. Be sure to mention our group code: CLLA to receive the group rate.
Room Rate
$309/night, single/double occupancy, plus applicable taxes.
Check-In is 4pm on arrival day and Check-Out is 11am on departure day.
Hotel Reservations and Registration Deadline is Friday, February 5, 2027.
Priority Registration Fee*: (Until 01/29/2027)
- CLLA Members: $589
- Spouse/Guest: $279
- Non-Members: $1178
Regular Registration Fee*: (Until 02/05/2027)
- CLLA Members: $739
- Spouse/Guest: $279
- Non-Members: $1178
Fee Includes:
Friday evening Welcome Reception, Saturday breakfast, educational sessions, breaks, lunch and Saturday evening cocktails.
*Disclaimer: CLE credits ARE available to attendees in qualifying states who register on or before February 5. We cannot guarantee state accreditation after February 5.
**Please note that business colleagues are not eligible to register under this category
Cancellation Policy:
Cancellations must be submitted in writing to dawn.federico@clla.org. Registration fee refunds will be granted on the following schedule: Cancellation notices received by February 12, will receive 100% refund less $50 processing fee. Notices received between February 13-21 will receive a 50% refund. No refund will be provided for notices received on or after February 22.
Dolly Parton’s SongTeller Hotel
211 Commerce Street, Nashville, TN 37201
Phone: (888) 938-5469
Dolly Parton’s SongTeller Hotel in Nashville, TN, is a vibrant tribute to the legendary country music icon and her remarkable storytelling legacy. Nestled in the heart of Music City, this unique hotel blends Southern charm with contemporary design, offering guests an immersive experience that celebrates Dolly’s rich musical history. From its thoughtfully curated decor inspired by her songs to a range of exclusive amenities, the SongTeller Hotel invites visitors to explore the soulful narratives behind some of Dolly’s most beloved hits, making it a must-visit destination for music lovers and fans alike.
Professionals who benefit the most are those who attend structured meetings to maximize contact with colleagues from around the US, Canada and abroad. This in-person conference attracts an audience of professionals from various aspects of the commercial law arena interested in forming business connections. The conference site and schedule will allow you to do business and still take advantage of all that Nashville has to offer.
Sponsorship Opportunity: $200
Get your firm’s logo placed on the CLLA Events page, conference eblasts, NewsWire and opening slides at all sessions.
Exclusive Sponsorship Opportunity: $350
Multiple Device Charging Station
In addition to the sponsorship benefits above, this exclusive opportunity will prominently display your company logo at the event charging station.
Room cut-off is Friday, February 5, 2027.
Reservation Online
There is a room block associated with this conference at the SongTeller Hotel. Online reservations can be made by clicking this link:
2027 Southern Region HOTEL RESERVATION
Reservation By Phone
Individual reservations can be made by calling (877) 766-4835 by Friday, February 5, 2027. Be sure to mention our group code: CLLA to receive the group rate.
Room Rate
$309/night, single/double occupancy, plus applicable taxes.
Check-In is 4pm on arrival day and Check-Out is 11am on departure day.
Hotel Reservations and Registration Deadline is Friday, February 5, 2027.
Priority Registration Fee*: (Until 01/29/2027)
- CLLA Members: $589
- Spouse/Guest: $279
- Non-Members: $1178
Regular Registration Fee*: (Until 02/05/2027)
- CLLA Members: $739
- Spouse/Guest: $279
- Non-Members: $1178
Fee Includes:
Friday evening Welcome Reception, Saturday breakfast, educational sessions, breaks, lunch and Saturday evening cocktails.
*Disclaimer: CLE credits ARE available to attendees in qualifying states who register on or before February 5. We cannot guarantee state accreditation after February 5.
**Please note that business colleagues are not eligible to register under this category
Cancellation Policy:
Cancellations must be submitted in writing to dawn.federico@clla.org. Registration fee refunds will be granted on the following schedule: Cancellation notices received by February 12, will receive 100% refund less $50 processing fee. Notices received between February 13-21 will receive a 50% refund. No refund will be provided for notices received on or after February 22.
Friday, March 5, 2027
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Welcome Reception
Acoustic Lounge – 2nd Floor
SongTeller Hotel
Saturday, March 6, 2027
8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Registration, Breakfast and Welcome
Studio – 2nd Floor
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
AI in the Trenches: What Actually Works in Law Practice Today
Speaker: Ed Lanquist, Jr., Baker Donelson, Nashville, TN
Forget the hype and the headlines about lawyers sanctioned for fake citations. This program cuts straight to what’s working right now in real law offices. Drawing on more than 30 years of practice and hands-on experience with today’s leading AI tools, the presenter walks through practical, field-tested uses for research, drafting, document review, and client communication, and flags where these tools still stumble. Attendees will see live examples of prompts that deliver, workflows that save real hours, and guardrails that keep you on the right side of your ethical duties of competence, confidentiality, and candor. Whether you’re a skeptic, a dabbler, or already using AI daily, you’ll leave with techniques you can put to work Monday morning.
10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. BREAK
10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
From Barrels to Balance Sheets – 100 Years of Alcohol Regulation
Speakers: Curtis S. Harrington, II, Belcher Skyes Harrington, PLLC, Brentwood, TN; Ryan A. T. Mercurio, Belcher Skyes Harrington, PLLC, Brentwood, TN
The alcoholic beverage industry operates within closely regulated state and federal schemes where the production, distribution, and sale of alcohol is tightly controlled. Counsel will present the regulatory framework governing industry members to provide you with a foundational understanding of alcohol laws and how the worlds of beverage alcohol regulation and credit laws intersect.
11:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. BREAK
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Hot Legal and Business Topics for Broadway’s Honky Tonks and Nashville’s Hospitality Market
Speaker: Sean Marshall, Big Plan Holdings, Nashville, TN
Nashville’s Honky Tonk scene is a vibrant cornerstone of the city’s hospitality market, but it faces a myriad of current legal and business challenges that owners must navigate. Key issues include the complexities of obtaining and maintaining alcohol licenses amid evolving health and safety regulations, particularly in a post-pandemic landscape. Labor shortages and compliance with employee rights laws further complicate staffing. Additionally, lease negotiations in Nashville’s competitive real estate market require keen strategies, especially regarding force majeure clauses that address unforeseen events. Negotiating artists naming rights/license deals. Business owners must also prioritize liability and risk management, ensuring adequate insurance coverage and effective crisis protocols. Intellectual property considerations, such as trademark protection and music copyright compliance, are essential in safeguarding their brands. Staying informed and adaptable is crucial for Honky Tonk owners to thrive in this dynamic environment.
12:45 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Whiskey Tasting Lunch Experience
Speaker: Ed Lanquist, Jr., Baker Donelson, Nashville, TN
Join us for a distinctive whiskey tasting experience during lunch at the CLLA Southern Region Conference. Guided by a whiskey expert, attendees will sample a selection of premium whiskeys while learning about their history, craftsmanship, and unique flavor profiles. Whether you are a longtime whiskey enthusiast or simply curious to explore new spirits, this event offers the perfect blend of education, networking, and Southern hospitality. Connect with colleagues, share insights, and enjoy a memorable lunchtime experience.
Sponsored by:
2:30 p.m.
EXPLORE NASHVILLE ON YOUR OWN
7:00 p.m.
Cocktails at the Listening Lounge – 2nd Floor
8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dinner on Your Own
Friday, March 5, 2027
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Welcome Reception
Acoustic Lounge – 2nd Floor
SongTeller Hotel
Saturday, March 6, 2027
8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Registration, Breakfast and Welcome
Studio – 2nd Floor
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
AI in the Trenches: What Actually Works in Law Practice Today
Speaker: Ed Lanquist, Jr., Baker Donelson, Nashville, TN
Forget the hype and the headlines about lawyers sanctioned for fake citations. This program cuts straight to what’s working right now in real law offices. Drawing on more than 30 years of practice and hands-on experience with today’s leading AI tools, the presenter walks through practical, field-tested uses for research, drafting, document review, and client communication, and flags where these tools still stumble. Attendees will see live examples of prompts that deliver, workflows that save real hours, and guardrails that keep you on the right side of your ethical duties of competence, confidentiality, and candor. Whether you’re a skeptic, a dabbler, or already using AI daily, you’ll leave with techniques you can put to work Monday morning.
10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. BREAK
10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
From Barrels to Balance Sheets – 100 Years of Alcohol Regulation
Speakers: Curtis S. Harrington, II, Belcher Skyes Harrington, PLLC, Brentwood, TN; Ryan A. T. Mercurio, Belcher Skyes Harrington, PLLC, Brentwood, TN
The alcoholic beverage industry operates within closely regulated state and federal schemes where the production, distribution, and sale of alcohol is tightly controlled. Counsel will present the regulatory framework governing industry members to provide you with a foundational understanding of alcohol laws and how the worlds of beverage alcohol regulation and credit laws intersect.
11:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. BREAK
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Hot Legal and Business Topics for Broadway’s Honky Tonks and Nashville’s Hospitality Market
Speaker: Sean Marshall, Big Plan Holdings, Nashville, TN
Nashville’s Honky Tonk scene is a vibrant cornerstone of the city’s hospitality market, but it faces a myriad of current legal and business challenges that owners must navigate. Key issues include the complexities of obtaining and maintaining alcohol licenses amid evolving health and safety regulations, particularly in a post-pandemic landscape. Labor shortages and compliance with employee rights laws further complicate staffing. Additionally, lease negotiations in Nashville’s competitive real estate market require keen strategies, especially regarding force majeure clauses that address unforeseen events. Negotiating artists naming rights/license deals. Business owners must also prioritize liability and risk management, ensuring adequate insurance coverage and effective crisis protocols. Intellectual property considerations, such as trademark protection and music copyright compliance, are essential in safeguarding their brands. Staying informed and adaptable is crucial for Honky Tonk owners to thrive in this dynamic environment.
12:45 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Whiskey Tasting Lunch Experience
Speaker: Ed Lanquist, Jr., Baker Donelson, Nashville, TN
Join us for a distinctive whiskey tasting experience during lunch at the CLLA Southern Region Conference. Guided by a whiskey expert, attendees will sample a selection of premium whiskeys while learning about their history, craftsmanship, and unique flavor profiles. Whether you are a longtime whiskey enthusiast or simply curious to explore new spirits, this event offers the perfect blend of education, networking, and Southern hospitality. Connect with colleagues, share insights, and enjoy a memorable lunchtime experience.
Sponsored by:
2:30 p.m.
EXPLORE NASHVILLE ON YOUR OWN
7:00 p.m.
Cocktails at the Listening Lounge – 2nd Floor
8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Dinner on Your Own
Ed Lanquist
Ed Lanquist helps companies build, protect, and enforce the intellectual property (IP) that drives their value. His practice spans patent, trademark, and copyright litigation; IP counseling; trademark prosecution; and technology law – giving clients an advisor who can secure their rights and defend them in court.
For more than 30 years, he has prosecuted more than 150 patent applications and more than 1,400 trademark registrations and litigated more than 170 IP cases. That combination is the difference for clients: because he knows how patents and trademarks are built, he knows where they break under attack – and how to attack an opponent.
Before joining Baker Donelson, Ed co-founded a full-service IP and technology law firm in Tennessee. Over his career, he has designed IP protection programs for more than 40 companies, built trade secret protection plans, and led IP due diligence on numerous corporate transactions.
Clients rely on Ed not just to protect their IP, but to make it pay. He counsels clients on how to structure their portfolios and weigh the economic stakes of protection and enforcement, and he has delivered numerous patent studies – including freedom-to-operate, noninfringement, and invalidity opinions – along with more than 2,000 trademark use and registration opinions.
Ed is at the forefront of how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping IP law. He advises clients on the IP questions AI now forces them to confront who owns AI-generated inventions and content, how to protect proprietary models and training data as trade secrets, the discoverability and privilege risks of AI prompts and outputs, and the rapidly developing law of secondary and contributory liability as it extends to AI tools. He teaches AI for Lawyers at the Nashville School of Law, was invited to author the Tennessee section of the Chambers Artificial Intelligence 2026 guide and speaks and writes nationally on the convergence of AI and IP. Clients turn to him not for theory, but for practical guidance on building IP strategies that hold up as the technology – and the law around it – keeps moving.
Ed also lends his experience pro bono, helping non-profit organizations protect their trademarks.
Curtis S. Harrington
Curtis S. Harrington is a founding partner of Belcher Sykes Harrington, PLLC, he focuses on assisting alcoholic beverage/hospitality and cannabis industry members both inside and outside of the state of Tennessee, which he has been doing for over 17 years. Curtis represents beverage alcohol manufacturers such distilleries, breweries, and wineries, as well as beverage alcohol retailers such as bars, restaurants, liquor stores, hoteliers, airports, stadiums, and arenas. Curtis has served as General Counsel for the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of Tennessee since 2010 and serves as counsel to the Tennessee Wine and Spirits Retailers Association.
Ryan A. T. Mercurio
Ryan A. T. Mercurio’s practice focuses on alcoholic beverage law and the full spectrum of practice areas that come along with it, including business formation, commercial contracts, distribution agreements, hospitality law, and civil litigation. He provides practical counsel to clients and excels at balancing the competitive demands of business with the governmental restrictions of closely regulated industries. His previous career experience as a sommelier allows him to communicate as kin to industry members and translate complex and esoteric legal issues into readily understandable concepts.
Before joining the firm, Ryan served as counsel to the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission where he represented the agency in administrative hearings, pursued investigations of tied-house violations, and led direct-to-consumer wine shipping enforcement.
He received his B.S. in Agriculture from the University of California, Davis, and his J.D. as a member of the fourth graduating class of Belmont University College of Law.
Sean Marshall
Sean Marhsall co-founded BPH Hospitality in 2023, Broadway Management in 2025 and currently serves as President overseeing and directing a staff of around 200. Sean is also the Chief Operating Officer, Principal, and General Counsel of Big Plan Holdings, a diversified family office based in Nashville with investments spanning real estate, entertainment, sports, and hospitality.
He brings a strong blend of legal and business expertise, having previously worked with Nashville’s largest owner of Honky Tonks and entertainment venues, focusing on operations, revenue growth, and risk management. He also served as in-house counsel for the NHL’s Nashville Predators and Bridgestone Arena, handling contracts, litigation, intellectual property, and capital improvement projects. Earlier in his career, Sean practiced law and worked in real estate finance in South Florida, with roles at Grandbridge Real Estate Capital and as a Prosecutor.
He holds three degrees from the University of Florida and is licensed to practice law in Florida and Tennessee. Sean is the Former Chairman of the Downtown Nashville DISTRICT. He lives in Brentwood with his wife, Taylor, and their three children.
Ed Lanquist
Ed Lanquist helps companies build, protect, and enforce the intellectual property (IP) that drives their value. His practice spans patent, trademark, and copyright litigation; IP counseling; trademark prosecution; and technology law – giving clients an advisor who can secure their rights and defend them in court.
For more than 30 years, he has prosecuted more than 150 patent applications and more than 1,400 trademark registrations and litigated more than 170 IP cases. That combination is the difference for clients: because he knows how patents and trademarks are built, he knows where they break under attack – and how to attack an opponent.
Before joining Baker Donelson, Ed co-founded a full-service IP and technology law firm in Tennessee. Over his career, he has designed IP protection programs for more than 40 companies, built trade secret protection plans, and led IP due diligence on numerous corporate transactions.
Clients rely on Ed not just to protect their IP, but to make it pay. He counsels clients on how to structure their portfolios and weigh the economic stakes of protection and enforcement, and he has delivered numerous patent studies – including freedom-to-operate, noninfringement, and invalidity opinions – along with more than 2,000 trademark use and registration opinions.
Ed is at the forefront of how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping IP law. He advises clients on the IP questions AI now forces them to confront who owns AI-generated inventions and content, how to protect proprietary models and training data as trade secrets, the discoverability and privilege risks of AI prompts and outputs, and the rapidly developing law of secondary and contributory liability as it extends to AI tools. He teaches AI for Lawyers at the Nashville School of Law, was invited to author the Tennessee section of the Chambers Artificial Intelligence 2026 guide and speaks and writes nationally on the convergence of AI and IP. Clients turn to him not for theory, but for practical guidance on building IP strategies that hold up as the technology – and the law around it – keeps moving.
Ed also lends his experience pro bono, helping non-profit organizations protect their trademarks.
Curtis S. Harrington
Curtis S. Harrington is a founding partner of Belcher Sykes Harrington, PLLC, he focuses on assisting alcoholic beverage/hospitality and cannabis industry members both inside and outside of the state of Tennessee, which he has been doing for over 17 years. Curtis represents beverage alcohol manufacturers such distilleries, breweries, and wineries, as well as beverage alcohol retailers such as bars, restaurants, liquor stores, hoteliers, airports, stadiums, and arenas. Curtis has served as General Counsel for the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of Tennessee since 2010 and serves as counsel to the Tennessee Wine and Spirits Retailers Association.
Ryan A. T. Mercurio
Ryan A. T. Mercurio’s practice focuses on alcoholic beverage law and the full spectrum of practice areas that come along with it, including business formation, commercial contracts, distribution agreements, hospitality law, and civil litigation. He provides practical counsel to clients and excels at balancing the competitive demands of business with the governmental restrictions of closely regulated industries. His previous career experience as a sommelier allows him to communicate as kin to industry members and translate complex and esoteric legal issues into readily understandable concepts.
Before joining the firm, Ryan served as counsel to the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission where he represented the agency in administrative hearings, pursued investigations of tied-house violations, and led direct-to-consumer wine shipping enforcement.
He received his B.S. in Agriculture from the University of California, Davis, and his J.D. as a member of the fourth graduating class of Belmont University College of Law.
Sean Marshall
Sean Marhsall co-founded BPH Hospitality in 2023, Broadway Management in 2025 and currently serves as President overseeing and directing a staff of around 200. Sean is also the Chief Operating Officer, Principal, and General Counsel of Big Plan Holdings, a diversified family office based in Nashville with investments spanning real estate, entertainment, sports, and hospitality.
He brings a strong blend of legal and business expertise, having previously worked with Nashville’s largest owner of Honky Tonks and entertainment venues, focusing on operations, revenue growth, and risk management. He also served as in-house counsel for the NHL’s Nashville Predators and Bridgestone Arena, handling contracts, litigation, intellectual property, and capital improvement projects. Earlier in his career, Sean practiced law and worked in real estate finance in South Florida, with roles at Grandbridge Real Estate Capital and as a Prosecutor.
He holds three degrees from the University of Florida and is licensed to practice law in Florida and Tennessee. Sean is the Former Chairman of the Downtown Nashville DISTRICT. He lives in Brentwood with his wife, Taylor, and their three children.
The Commercial Law League of America (CLLA) is one of the oldest creditors’ rights organizations in the country. Founded in 1895, the CLLA is comprised of attorneys, judges and other legal professionals who work in the areas of commercial litigation, bankruptcy and insolvency matters.
The CLLA Southern District Region will be holding its Southern Region Conference on March 5 – March 6, 2026 in Nashville, TN. In conjunction with this meeting the CLLA Southern Region will be sponsoring a writing contest for law students in the geographical area of where the conference is taking place. The selected winner will receive a $500.00 cash prize have their essay published in CLLA’s publication, The Commercial Law World and will be invited to the Southern Region Conference for presentation of the award along with the 2nd and 3rd place entrants. The 2nd place entrant will receive a $250.00 cash prize and the 3rd place entrant will receive a $100.00 cash prize. The top three entrants will also receive a one year subscription to the Commercial Law World, and all entrants will receive a one year complimentary admission to the Commercial Law League of America. Current law students from Vanderbilt University Law School, Belmont University College of Law, and Nashville School of Law (“Law Schools”) are invited to submit essays. Contest rules are below.
We look forward to reading your submission and to meeting you at the Southern Region Conference!
Essay Requirements
o Entrants should choose one of the listed topics
o Essays should be between 1,500-2,000 words exclusive of footnotes.
o The essay must be the entrant’s original work
o The essay should be typed, double-spaced on 8/12”x11” paper with 1-inch margins on all sides
o The entry should be accompanied with a cover sheet listing the entrant’s name, email address, telephone number and name of law school. No identification other than the title of the entry should appear on the essay itself. To ensure objectivity in the judging process an entry number will be assigned on receipt of the entry and the assigned number will be provided to the entrant
o The essay should be submitted electronically in PDF format with “CLLA Southern Region Essay Competition Submission” on the Subject Line and be sent to Dawn Federico, Director, CLLA at dawn.federico@clla.org no later than January 11, 2027. No submissions will be accepted after 11:59 pm on that date.
All submissions must be prepared originally for this contest and must not be previously published in any format. Each entrant is required to assign to the CLLA all rights, title, and interest in the essay submitted. The assigned rights to all submissions with the exception of the winning essay(s) will be released back to the author. The CLLA prohibits the use of all generative artificial intelligence, including large language models, to create any portion of a contestant’s written submission for this competition whether in the research, writing, or editing phase. Generative AI in this context includes, but is not limited to, OpenAI’s “GPT” series, BLOOM, Jasper, BERT, Galactica, and Lex. Note that for these purposes, AI does not include basic tools for checking grammar, spelling, references, etc. By submitting an entry to the contest, participants are affirming that they did not utilize AI in the preparation of their written work product. The CLLA reserves the right to screen submissions for use of AI through an AI detector.
Eligibility
This contest is open to any law student currently enrolled in Law Schools listed in the Essay Information. Only one essay may be submitted by each entrant. No co-authored essays are allowed.
Essay Topic (Choose One)
-
The Price of Growth: Balancing Creditor Rights and Economic Growth in Music City
Nashville’s transformation into one of America’s fastest-growing business centers has created tremendous economic opportunity while increasing the complexity of commercial relationships. As businesses expand and investment grows, so do financial disputes involving commercial lending, contract enforcement, collections, restructuring, and bankruptcy. Commercial lawyers are essential to maintaining confidence in the marketplace by protecting creditor rights, resolving disputes, and helping businesses navigate financial challenges.
Analyze one commercial law issue affecting Nashville’s growing economy. Evaluate how Tennessee law balances the interests of creditors, businesses, and the broader commercial community, and recommend one practical legal or policy change that would better position Nashville for continued economic success.
-
When Businesses Can’t Pay: Balancing Creditor Rights and Economic Growth in Music City
Nashville’s economy has experienced remarkable growth, driven by industries such as hospitality, entertainment, healthcare, commercial real estate, and entrepreneurship. Yet even in periods of economic prosperity, businesses face financial distress, contract defaults, and insolvency. Commercial lawyers play a vital role in helping businesses navigate these challenges—whether through negotiation, restructuring, commercial collections, secured transactions, or bankruptcy—while protecting the rights of creditors and preserving confidence in the marketplace.
Analyze whether Tennessee’s current legal framework appropriately balances the rights of creditors with opportunities for financially distressed businesses to recover. Using a Nashville-based industry, business trend, or commercial dispute as your context, discuss the role commercial lawyers play in maintaining a healthy business environment and discuss whether Tennessee’s current legal framework adequately protects commercial creditors in Nashville’s hospitality and entertainment industries. What changes, if any, would you recommend?
Judging
The essays will be judged by a subcommittee of the CLLA Southern Region Committee. For further information, please contact:
Dawn Federico, Director
CLLA
2500 W. Higgins Road, Suite 780
Hoffman Estates, IL. 60169
Phone & Fax: 312-240-1400
Email: dawn.federico@clla.org
The Commercial Law League of America (CLLA) is one of the oldest creditors’ rights organizations in the country. Founded in 1895, the CLLA is comprised of attorneys, judges and other legal professionals who work in the areas of commercial litigation, bankruptcy and insolvency matters.
The CLLA Southern District Region will be holding its Southern Region Conference on March 5 – March 6, 2026 in Nashville, TN. In conjunction with this meeting the CLLA Southern Region will be sponsoring a writing contest for law students in the geographical area of where the conference is taking place. The selected winner will receive a $500.00 cash prize have their essay published in CLLA’s publication, The Commercial Law World and will be invited to the Southern Region Conference for presentation of the award along with the 2nd and 3rd place entrants. The 2nd place entrant will receive a $250.00 cash prize and the 3rd place entrant will receive a $100.00 cash prize. The top three entrants will also receive a one year subscription to the Commercial Law World, and all entrants will receive a one year complimentary admission to the Commercial Law League of America. Current law students from Vanderbilt University Law School, Belmont University College of Law, and Nashville School of Law (“Law Schools”) are invited to submit essays. Contest rules are below.
We look forward to reading your submission and to meeting you at the Southern Region Conference!
Essay Requirements
o Entrants should choose one of the listed topics
o Essays should be between 1,500-2,000 words exclusive of footnotes.
o The essay must be the entrant’s original work
o The essay should be typed, double-spaced on 8/12”x11” paper with 1-inch margins on all sides
o The entry should be accompanied with a cover sheet listing the entrant’s name, email address, telephone number and name of law school. No identification other than the title of the entry should appear on the essay itself. To ensure objectivity in the judging process an entry number will be assigned on receipt of the entry and the assigned number will be provided to the entrant
o The essay should be submitted electronically in PDF format with “CLLA Southern Region Essay Competition Submission” on the Subject Line and be sent to Dawn Federico, Director, CLLA at dawn.federico@clla.org no later than January 11, 2027. No submissions will be accepted after 11:59 pm on that date.
All submissions must be prepared originally for this contest and must not be previously published in any format. Each entrant is required to assign to the CLLA all rights, title, and interest in the essay submitted. The assigned rights to all submissions with the exception of the winning essay(s) will be released back to the author. The CLLA prohibits the use of all generative artificial intelligence, including large language models, to create any portion of a contestant’s written submission for this competition whether in the research, writing, or editing phase. Generative AI in this context includes, but is not limited to, OpenAI’s “GPT” series, BLOOM, Jasper, BERT, Galactica, and Lex. Note that for these purposes, AI does not include basic tools for checking grammar, spelling, references, etc. By submitting an entry to the contest, participants are affirming that they did not utilize AI in the preparation of their written work product. The CLLA reserves the right to screen submissions for use of AI through an AI detector.
Eligibility
This contest is open to any law student currently enrolled in Law Schools listed in the Essay Information. Only one essay may be submitted by each entrant. No co-authored essays are allowed.
Essay Topic (Choose One)
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The Price of Growth: Balancing Creditor Rights and Economic Growth in Music City
Nashville’s transformation into one of America’s fastest-growing business centers has created tremendous economic opportunity while increasing the complexity of commercial relationships. As businesses expand and investment grows, so do financial disputes involving commercial lending, contract enforcement, collections, restructuring, and bankruptcy. Commercial lawyers are essential to maintaining confidence in the marketplace by protecting creditor rights, resolving disputes, and helping businesses navigate financial challenges.
Analyze one commercial law issue affecting Nashville’s growing economy. Evaluate how Tennessee law balances the interests of creditors, businesses, and the broader commercial community, and recommend one practical legal or policy change that would better position Nashville for continued economic success.
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When Businesses Can’t Pay: Balancing Creditor Rights and Economic Growth in Music City
Nashville’s economy has experienced remarkable growth, driven by industries such as hospitality, entertainment, healthcare, commercial real estate, and entrepreneurship. Yet even in periods of economic prosperity, businesses face financial distress, contract defaults, and insolvency. Commercial lawyers play a vital role in helping businesses navigate these challenges—whether through negotiation, restructuring, commercial collections, secured transactions, or bankruptcy—while protecting the rights of creditors and preserving confidence in the marketplace.
Analyze whether Tennessee’s current legal framework appropriately balances the rights of creditors with opportunities for financially distressed businesses to recover. Using a Nashville-based industry, business trend, or commercial dispute as your context, discuss the role commercial lawyers play in maintaining a healthy business environment and discuss whether Tennessee’s current legal framework adequately protects commercial creditors in Nashville’s hospitality and entertainment industries. What changes, if any, would you recommend?
Judging
The essays will be judged by a subcommittee of the CLLA Southern Region Committee. For further information, please contact:
Dawn Federico, Director
CLLA
2500 W. Higgins Road, Suite 780
Hoffman Estates, IL. 60169
Phone & Fax: 312-240-1400
Email: dawn.federico@clla.org
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Enjoy Sponsorship Benefits Throughout The Year When You Become A CLLA Champion!
Visit https://clla.org/champion-sponsors-2026/ to become a CLLA Champion!