The American Bar Association (ABA) has approved a new process allowing law schools to admit students without requiring the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or other standardized test, Reuters reports. The ABA’s Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admission to the Bar on Friday voted to create a new process that would allow schools to apply for a variance to bypass the LSAT requirement for up to 100% of their incoming classes for a period of three to five years. The Law School Admission Council supports the move, which is seen as a way to improve diversity in legal education and reduce financial burdens on applicants, according to the news outlet. The new variance is the latest development in debates over whether the ABA should continue to require law schools to use the LSAT or other standardized tests.

The Davidson County District Attorney’s Office has started a pilot program that diverts the cases of “survivor-defendants” away from the criminal justice system and towards resources offered to other Nashvillians facing domestic violence. The program is a partnership with the YWCA of Nashville and Middle Tennessee and since June 1, around 40 individuals have had their cases diverted through it, according to the Nashville Banner. Nashville was selected by the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys (APA) to be one of two pilot sites for similar programs. The APA will provide guidance and oversight along with data analysis to evaluate whether Nashville’s program is effective. For now, the program is only offered to people charged with a misdemeanor.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is proposing a $3 million pilot project to test sewage from Knoxville-area high schools, college dorms and other locations for illicit drugs, the Tennessee Lookout reports. If the budget for the project is approved, testing will initially begin on wastewater from 12 public high schools and 16 college dorms, with 120 Knoxville locations potentially also being selected for testing at the TBI’s discretion. Results of school and dorm-based wastewater testing can help keep parents and school administrators informed about student drug use, the paper reports. Testing sewage for illicit drug use is underway in 70 U.S. cities as part of a National Institute on Drug Abuse-funded program intended to help guide cities in where they need to focus resources in preventing overdose deaths.

The TBA Young Lawyers Division (YLD) is sponsoring a webcast on Nov. 21 beginning at noon CST titled "What Attorneys Must Know About Secondary and Vicarious Trauma." A panel of speakers will explore how exposure to the traumatic experiences of clients can affect lawyers' mental health and overall well-being. Panelists also will share ways attorneys can safeguard their mental health and support colleagues. Speakers include S. Chris Troutt, CEO of the Papillon Center; psychotherapist and behavioral health executive Lindsey O'Connell; and clinical psychologist Dr. Brynda Quinn. YLD member Patrick Morrison will moderate the discussion. 

Last weekend the TBA Young Lawyers Division (YLD) hosted a wills clinic with the Williamson County Bar Association. Nineteen first responders from the Franklin Police Department were assisted by 10 attorney volunteers and five nonattorney volunteers. Special thanks to TBA YLD District 11 representative Charles Ferguson for organizing the clinic. See a photo from this event.

The Tennessee Supreme Court has notified Florida lawyer Katherine Kemp that she needs to complete outstanding obligations with the Tennessee Commission on Continuing Legal Education (CLE) before her petition for reinstatement will be considered. The court gave her until Dec. 23 to complete the requirements or indicated it would dismiss the petition. Kemp filed for reinstatement on Oct. 25.

The Department of Children's Services (DCS) is requesting $6 million to expand its contract with Youth Villages, whose “Intercept” program brings intensive three-day-per-week services into the homes of families in crisis to address problems that include parental substance abuse, kids in trouble at school and child neglect, reports the Tennessee Lookout. That is an increase of $189 million over last year's budget. DCS says it will use $6 million of the total to expand the program to families in rural Tennessee counties, saying those areas experience the highest rates of children being removed from their families. The additional funds in the request include $8 million for privately-contracted social workers, $41 million for residential care for kids with medical and psychiatric needs and $1.5 million for nurses.

The Tennessee Trial Court Vacancy Commission met in Sevierville to select nominees for a circuit court judge in the 4th Judicial District, which includes Cocke, Grainger, Jefferson and Sevier counties. After holding a public hearing and conducting public interviews, the commission voted to recommend Dandridge lawyer Jeremy D. Ball, Rutledge lawyer S. Lane Wolfenbarger and Knoxville lawyer Luke A. Shipley to Gov. Bill Lee for his consideration. Read more about the candidates from the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts.

The Nashville chapter of the American Constitution Society (ACS) will host its annual U.S. Supreme Court Preview on Nov. 18 from noon to 1 p.m. CDT at Bass Berry & Sims. Elizabeth B. Wydra, president of the Constitutional Accountability Center, will be the featured speaker. During her tenure, Wydra has filed more than 200 briefs with the Supreme Court, including those on behalf of constitutional scholars and historians, state and local governments, groups such as the League of Women Voters and AARP, and members of Congress. Get more information or register for the event.

Mike Fletcher, Memphis' deputy chief legal officer, will retire at the end of 2024, reports the Daily Memphian. Fletcher has been in his position since 2017 and has represented the city in court and other legal matters for a total of 33 years, both in private practice and from City Hall. Odell Horton Jr. has been appointed to fill the vacancy. Horton most recently served as general counsel for Memphis Shelby County Schools. He previously worked as vice president and general counsel for Memphis Light, Gas and Water, and was vice chancellor for university relations at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.