The Trump administration said it plans to partially fund food aid for millions of Americans after two federal judges ruled it must use contingency funds to pay November benefits during the government shutdown, Reuters reports. The administration outlined plans in a filing with U.S. District Judge John McConnell, who last week ordered the agency to use emergency funds to at least partially cover Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The U.S. Department of Justice said the USDA is complying with McConnell’s order and “will fulfill its obligation to expend the full amount of SNAP contingency funds today.” The administration said $600 million will cover states’ administrative costs, leaving $4.65 billion to fund 50% of eligible households’ current allotments. It also will look at tapping a separate $23 billion fund.

Rep. Mary Littleton, R-Dickson, has announced she will not seek another term representing District 78 in the Tennessee House of Representatives. The Post Local News reports she has represented Cheatham and Dickson counties since 2012. As a freshman legislator, Littleton passed one of the nation’s first laws allowing the termination of parental rights when a parent is convicted of sex trafficking their own child. Since 2019, she has served as chair of the House Children and Family Affairs Subcommittee, overseeing legislation related to child custody, domestic violence, juvenile crime and foster care. “It’s been a true blessing to represent Cheatham and Dickson counties and one of the greatest honors of my life to serve. I’m deeply proud of what we’ve accomplished together to make Tennessee a safer, healthier state for children and families,” Littleton said. She will continue to serve through the remainder of her term.

Two more inmates have died at the Shelby County Jail bringing the number of deaths at the facility to at least nine this year and more than 60 since 2019. The first inmate died on Oct. 30 and was identified as 24-year-old Dalton Goddard, who was arrested by a Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper on Oct. 19 after a traffic stop for speeding. He was charged with several drug offenses, the Daily Memphian reports. An autopsy is being performed to determine the cause and manner of death. Additionally, another death at the jail was confirmed by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office in an email this afternoon. A TBI spokesperson identified the inmate as 40-year-old Antonio First, who was convicted in 2024 on two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of aggravated child abuse. First’s cause of death is still unknown but a TBI spokesperson said no foul play is suspected.

The TBA will host a free webcast this Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST to celebrate the launch of its new Pro Bono Portal, powered by Paladin. The event will introduce attorneys and legal aid organizations to the innovative platform designed to make pro bono work across the state more accessible and efficient. Speakers include Chelsea Bennett of the TBA, Justin Cole of West Tennessee Legal Services and Danielle LoMastro of Paladin. Attendees will see a live demonstration of the platform and learn how to search for and sign up for pro bono opportunities in their area. To register for this event, visit the TBA website.

It's not too late to register for the TBA’s 2025 Health Law Primer and Health Law Forum, taking place next week in Nashville. The primer will take place Nov. 12 at Barnes & Thornburg. Designed for those new to health practice, the program will provide a general health law overview and practical tips to avoid the pitfalls in the heavily regulated health care industry. Then on Nov. 13 and 14, the forum will take place at the Music City Center. The two-day event will dig deeper into topics such as regulatory fraud and abuse, medical malpractice, controlled substances enforcement, legislative action, AI contracting, ethics and more. The premier program for Tennessee health care lawyers, the forum provides all necessary CLE requirements for the year — 12 general hours and three dual hours — while providing opportunities to connect with colleagues from across the state. Get more information and register here.

In this issue, TBA President Heidi Barcus dedicates her column space to 60 years of the Tennessee Bar Journal!

In this issue's Legal Life, a TBA staff member is promoted, the Communications team wins an award at a national conference, a regular TBJ columnist is sworn in as a national president and a Supreme Court justice announces her retirement.

Are you interested in serving on TBA's Board of Governors, House of Delegates or as TBA's delegates to the American Bar Association (ABA) House of Delegates? The 2026 Election Notice has more information on what positions are open and the qualifications for each. Questions? Visit the TBA’s website at www.tba.org/election_guidelines.

TBJ Editorial Board Chair Andrée Blumstein reviews The Licensing Racket: How We Decide Who is Allowed to Work & Why It Goes Wrong by Vanderbilt Law School professor Rebecca Allensworth.

Tennessee Bar Association members who have died recently are memorialized.