Bench Bar 2026
If you haven’t booked your room for Nashville what are you waiting for? Below is booking info followed by the Friday CLE Schedule and Happy Hour event with LIVE MUSIC! Book NOW!
Closer to the conference date, Ray will reach out to you directly from the hotel booking on registration for CLE and Activities. Book your room now so you don’t miss out!
October 16-18th
The Drury Plaza Hotel
300 Korean Veterans Blvd, Nashville, TN 37201
The Bench Bar Committee is hard at work designing this year’s conference. Book your room ASAP! Room cost is $329 per night (plus tax & applicable charges) and includes Breakfast, Happy Hour Bar Food Buffet & 3 Signature Cocktails per day. Rooms are based on 1-2 people.
avahttps://www.druryhotels.com/bookandstay/newreservation/?groupno=10168559 Reservations may also be made by calling 1-800-325-0720 and referring to your group number 10168559.
*Discounted room prices for extending your stay either before or after room block dates based on availability. It is highly recommended that if you are adding days before and or after, to call in your request.
If booking pre & or post at discounted rate, call Sami directly at 615-986-3529 for best results!
Due to different flight schedules especially for those flying out of ABE:
Conference Schedule so Far
10/16 Friday Schedule:
Friday, October 16, 2026
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
“Trial by TikTok: Social Media, Jury Contamination
and the Modern Courtroom”
1 Substantive CLE Credit
Presented by: Chief Public Defender, Kimberly Makoul
and Chris Morganelli, CO-CEO MCIT
Moderated by: Jack Zilfou, Esq.
What happens when the video goes viral before the case goes to trial?
This CLE looks at how social media, online commentary, digital evidence, and viral content can shape jury trial cases before anyone enters the courtroom. You will hear commentary from Kim Makoul, the Chief Public Defender and a technology component from Chris Morganelli showing how digital content can be edited, faked, manipulated, and posted online. The program will address trial strategy, witnesses, juror exposure, fairness, and what lawyers and judges should watch for when digital evidence is offered in court.
4:10 PM – 5:10 PM
“Country Songs and the Law: When Lyrics Become Legal”
1 Substantive CLE Credit
Presented by: Jenna Fliszar, Esq.
Moderated by: Jack Zilfou, Esq.
Join us for this interactive, Nashville-themed CLE using well-known country songs as legal hypotheticals to explore how the conduct in the lyrics would play out under modern law. From revenge anthems to relationship drama, the session will touch on issues across criminal, civil, family, and employment law.
Happy Hour Event: 5:30pm at Hotel with Live MUSIC!
10/17 Saturday Schedule:
CLE 9AM-12:30pm at Hotel
More activities being planned!