U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts has released his year-end report, using the document to reiterate concerns about judges’ safety and condemn elected officials who intimidate judges or defy court rulings. The Hill reports that Roberts did not name any specific people, but noted one decision that prompted calls for impeachment. “Attempts to intimidate judges for their rulings in cases are inappropriate and should be vigorously opposed,” Roberts wrote. “Public officials certainly have a right to criticize the work of the judiciary, but they should be mindful that intemperance in their statements when it comes to judges may prompt dangerous reactions by others.” Roberts also used the report to reiterate concerns about violence against judges, highlighting how threats increasingly are being made online and in the form of “doxxing.”

A three-judge panel of the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) did not have legal authority to reinstate so-called “net neutrality” rules, which had been in place during the Barack Obama presidency but repealed in 2017 during the first Donald Trump administration. Generally, net-neutrality rules require internet service providers to treat internet data and users equally rather than restricting access, slowing speeds or blocking content for certain users. The rules also forbid special arrangements in which providers give improved network speeds or access to favored users. The Biden administration had made restoring the rules a priority, Reuters reports. The panel cited the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in a Loper Bright, which overturned a precedent giving deference to government agencies in interpreting laws they administer. Read the opinion.

LaFollette City Judge Kathy Parrott tendered her resignation in a letter dated Dec. 30, 2024, the same day the city council was to discuss whether to fire her or not, the Mountain Press reports. Parrott wrote to council members that her resignation would be effective at the end of the day Tuesday “due to reasons I have discussed with you and interested council members.” Parrott was appointed to the position in 2016. At that time she was serving as Caryville city attorney and a partner in the law firm of Pryor Parrott.

A new state law that was set to go into effect on Jan. 1 has been blocked by a federal judge, the Tennessean reports. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Sheryl Lipman in Memphis said the law — which requires websites with content deemed "harmful to minors" to verify the age of each user — was an unconstitutional "scorched earth" approach to free speech rights. Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti, who has defended the law, argues it is a common-sense approach to “stop kids from accessing explicit obscene content while protecting the privacy of adults who choose to do so.” According to the paper, Skrmetti has filed an appeal with the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Shelby County General Sessions Criminal Court Judge Bill Anderson, who was first elected to the bench in 2010 and was not up for reelection until 2030, will retire as of March 1, the Daily Memphian reports. In a letter to Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris, Anderson says he planned to retire in 2025 since being reelected in 2022. Of his 51-year career in the legal system, he says that opening a veteran’s court 12 years ago was one of the best things he did. Anderson has come under fire for decisions to release suspected criminals without bail, including from elected members of the General Assembly. In February 2024, he was reprimanded for stating in a Shelby County Commission meeting that he "detest[s] the bail bond system in Shelby County." The Board of Judicial Conduct expressed concern that the statement could "undermine public perception and confidence" that a judge would approach cases "fairly and impartially."

The TBA’s Immigration Section will host a one-hour webcast on Jan. 21 looking at the ever-changing environment of employment and immigration enforcement, including the likelihood for increased enforcement scrutiny under the incoming administration. Section Chair Terry Olsen with the Olsen Law Firm in Chattanooga, Michael Eastridge with Global Justice Advocates in Johnson City and Todd Photopulos with Butler Snow in Memphis will discuss best practices for managing unannounced visits from federal immigration agencies as well as standards and strategies for conducting internal audits. Immigration Section members get registration discounts. Not a section member? Join here.

Doyle E. Richardson died Dec. 28, 2024, at age 89. He graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1957 and entered Vanderbilt Law School that same year. In 1958, he was called to active military service and assigned to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. Among his duties was vetting German scientists brought to the U.S. to work in the rocket program. After completing military service, Richardson re-entered law school and graduated in 1964. He practiced law at several Tullahoma firms, was mayor of Tullahoma from 1986-1987 and served as a member of the TBA Board of Governors. Visitation will be Jan. 3 from 5-8 p.m. CST at Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home, 401 N Jackson St., Tullahoma 37388. A memorial service will be held Jan. 4 at 1 p.m. at First Christian Church, 120 West Grundy St., Tullahoma 37388. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the George W. Malcolm Cemetery, 3725 Old Monroe Madison Hwy., Madison, GA 30650 or First Christian Church.

After more than 60 years, the historic Highlander Research and Education Center in Grundy County, once known as the Highlander Folk School, has reacquired 8.5 acres of its original land. Highlander hosted pivotal civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., who spoke in the library that is on the reacquired land. The purchase follows years of tension and disputes with the Tennessee Preservation Trust (TPT), including a controversial sale to a third party. Highlander now plans an inclusive design process involving community and civil rights stakeholders to develop a vision for the site, ensuring it benefits the region and honors its legacy. The Tennessee Lookout has the story.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Alistair Newbern of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee recently sat down with the Nashville Business Journal for the paper's "Women of Influence" series. The court hears all criminal and civil cases falling within Article III federal jurisdiction and in the 32 counties that comprise the district. Newbern praises attorneys who take court-appointed cases, and shares her views on the importance of civic education and her next personal goal: learning to play the banjo.

Still need CLE hours to finish strong in 2024? You’ve got until midnight, so let’s do this! Looking for courses in your practice area? Check out these packages! Need ethics hours? We’ve got you covered. Did you miss a program that you were looking forward to taking? We have more than 200 webcast replays to choose from. Whatever you need, the TBA can help you reach the finish line. Thanks for a great 2024 and we’re excited to be your top CLE provider in 2025!