The Hamilton County Commission this week delayed a decision on choosing a new county attorney until its next meeting on Jan. 8, 2025. According to Chattanoogan.com, the body postponed consideration of the matter after meeting with attorney John Konvalinka, who was hired to represent the commission on the matter. Longtime county attorney Rheubin Taylor is contracted to serve until July 1, 2025. Taylor has said that attempts by County Mayor Weston Wamp to name Janie Parks Varnell as the new county attorney would violate his contract. 

American confidence in the judicial system dropped 7% from last year, sagging to a record low, according to a new Gallup poll. Axios reports that just 35% of poll respondents said they had confidence in the U.S. judicial system and courts, a drop from 42% last year. The poll’s findings also mark the first time that confidence in the courts is below 50% for both those who approve and those who disapprove of U.S. leadership. Gallup reports that over the past four years, the confidence rate has dropped 24%. Read more about the findings.

Former judge and current Shelby County prosecutor Donna Fields died in a car accident on Dec. 16, the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office has announced. Fields joined the district attorney’s (DA) office after retiring as a judge, working part time with a focus on animal cruelty cases. "Donna Fields was a relentless advocate for justice, especially for those who had no voice," said DA Steve Mulroy. "She didn’t have to return to work, but she chose to because of her deep love for animals and her steadfast commitment to justice." Funeral arrangements are still being developed.

State Rep. Gino Bulso, R-Brentwood, has introduced a bill to create a new civil cause of action for those who mail or deliver abortion pills. HB26 would allow family members of women who end a pregnancy via abortion pills to sue drug manufacturers and distributors, delivery services and those who help women access abortion-inducing medications from out-of-state. Cases could be brought for up to $5 million in damages. The Tennessean, which reports on the measure, also reports that state law already prohibits sending and receiving abortion pills by mail in Tennessee.

Sessions from this fall’s 36th Annual Health Law Forum are now available on demand individually or in a 1-Click package, which features 15 hours of content including three hours of ethics credit. This year’s forum offered insights from health law providers, practitioners and regulators, providing the information lawyers need to stay on top of key advancements. Topics include private equity, antitrust laws, change health care, digital health, cyber security and enrollment issues. The program also includes the ever-popular legislative update and state case review.

The TBA’s Convention CLE Package offers an opportunity to experience the programs offered at the annual meeting last June and earn five hours of dual CLE credit. Ethics topics include combatting burnout, being your best in a virtual legal world and AI’s impact on the practice of law. Not what you are looking for? Check out all of the TBA’s year-end packages or build your own with more than 200 programs available on demand.

The U.S. House of Representatives on Monday unanimously passed the Federal Judiciary Stabilization Act, which would convert temporary district court judgeships in 10 states into permanent positions, Reuters reports. The measure now heads to President Biden for his signature. The legislation was introduced in 2023 after the U.S. Judicial Conference recommended that Congress extend or make permanent nine of the 10 temporary judgeships, and create two new appeals court positions and 66 new permanent district court seats. The conference cited rising caseloads for the expansion. The U.S. Senate unanimously approved a bill in August to create the 66 trial court judgeships, which would be spaced out in six waves over a decade, starting in 2025. The House passed that measure last week though Biden has threatened to veto it.

Sessions from TBA's first-ever Conference on Artificial Intelligence & the Law (TCAIL) are now available on demand as individual programs or as a 1-click package. The conference explored the transformative impact of Generative AI on law practice, courtroom dynamics and practice management. Sessions now available include the impact of AI on the practice of law and legal operations; access to justice and AI; the ethical use of AI; and the use of AI as evidence. In addition, a judicial panel featuring Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Sarah Campbell, Judge Tom Greenholtz, Judge Jimmy Turner and former judge Penny White explores the role AI plays in the courtroom. The TBA is committed to supporting legal professionals in the evolving AI landscape and is at the forefront of AI education. Check out all available AI-focused CLE programs. 

In its final meeting of the year Tuesday, the Nashville Metro Council approved Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s $527 million capital spending plan, which includes allocations for a new juvenile justice center, infrastructure improvements, schools and maintenance work around the county, according to the Nashville Banner. The council also approved a sign permit for country singer Morgan Wallen’s downtown bar, reversing a decision made in May when the request was rejected 30-3.

The Knoxville Bar Association (KBA) held its Annual Meeting recently. At the event, outgoing president Carlos Yunsan of the University of Tennessee College of Law passed the gavel to Jonathan Cooper, a criminal defense attorney at Knox Defense, Knox TN Today reports. During the meeting, members also elected officers for 2025, with Rachel Hurt of Arnett Baker Draper & Hagood being named president-elect, Ursula Bailey as treasurer, and Cathy Shuck of East Tennessee Children’s Hospital as secretary. Members also elected Kim Burnette of Arnett Baker Draper & Hagood, Meagan Collver of Lewis Thomason, Samuel Lee of the Knox County District Attorney General’s Office, and Scott Taylor of Bernstein Stair & McAdams LLP to the KBA Board of Governors. Three awards were presented. Wayne Kramer received the Governor's Award, the KBA’s highest award; Cathy Shuck received the Courage in the Face of Adversity Award; and Regina Koho was honored with an award for outstanding legal writing.