ADM2017-01195 - On June 13, 2017, the Tennessee Bar Association filed a petition seeking to amend the Rules of the Tennessee Supreme Court to add a new rule which would address the practice of “Collaborative Family Law.” By Order filed August 22, 2017, the Court solicited written public comments to the proposed new rule. The Court received written public comments from the Board of Professional Responsibility, the Nashville Bar Association, the Knoxville Bar Association, the Middle Tennessee Collaborative Alliance, individual attorneys, and individual non-attorneys. By Order filed January 9, 2018, the Court directed the Tennessee Bar Association to respond to the written public comments, and it did so on February 9, 2018. By Order filed June 22, 2018, the Court directed the Alternative Dispute Resolution Commission to formally comment on the proposed new rule, and it responded on July 24, 2018. The Court has determined that it would be helpful to entertain oral argument regarding the proposed new rule. Accordingly, this matter is set for hearing on the Court’s October 4, 2018 afternoon docket. The Tennessee Bar Association is directed to provide one presenter at the hearing to address the proposed new rule and specifically the following topics: 1) the general necessity for the proposed rule; 2) the appropriate regulation of compliance with the rule; and 3) the necessity of a training requirement, and if imposed, the administration of such a requirement.