The federal judiciary and the U.S. Supreme Court would receive increased funding for security in a bill approved by a U.S. House subcommittee. The judiciary would receive $774.4 million for court security, a 4% boost, while the court would get extra funding to support protection of justices' homes. The bill next goes to the full House Appropriations Committee, where several lawmakers said they plan try to amend it. Reuters has more on the proposal.

The U.S. Judicial Conference's Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure has approved a first-of-its kind rule to govern federal mass torts cases and provide judges a roadmap to follow when assigned hundreds or thousands of lawsuits against companies. The rule, which has been under consideration since 2017, now goes to the Judicial Conference. If approved, it would be transmitted to the U.S. Supreme Court, which would then submit it to Congress. Unless Congress disapproved it, the rule would take effect Dec. 1, 2025. The committee also has approved a proposal designed to strengthen disclosure rules for those who fund friend-of-the-court briefs. That proposed change, which is expected to be controversial, will be subject to a public comment period. Reuters reports on both actions.

If you missed the TBA’s Corporate Counsel Forum, the video from each of the sessions is now available to watch on demand through our 1-Click Package. This year’s program topics included how the Corporate Transparency Act affects in-house counsel, guiding a company through a government investigation, the recent FTC guidance on non-competes and no-poaching agreements, and what in-house counsel needs to know about the parent/subsidiary relationship. Access the package here.

Hard-to-break passwords are either long, complex, or both. Don’t expect to remember them all. Use this chart to pick a password manager that will do the remembering for you, as well as help create secure new passwords. Access this and other resources in the Opening a Firm section of TBA’s Law Practice Management Center.

New lawyers were welcomed to the legal profession at swearing ceremonies in Knoxville and Nashville this month. Representatives from the TBA and local bar associations were on hand to congratulate the new admittees. See photos from the events.

Join the Nashville School of Law (NSL) on June 7 at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel to honor the NSL Class of 1974 on its 50th anniversary. In addition, Nashville attorney Bill Harbison will be honored for his community service, including 15 years as a contracts professor at the law school.

The Arts & Business Council's Volunteer Lawyers & Professionals for the Arts (VLPA) and Bradley partner each month to provide free business-oriented legal services to Black-owned small businesses and nonprofits. Assistance includes business formation and corporate governance, review of contracts and guidance in navigating local ordinances and state regulations. Registration is now open for the June 20 clinic. Clients should register by June 17. Attorneys interested in volunteering should email vlpa@abcnashville.org.

Judge Julia Smith Gibbons with the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals was honored last week with a portrait unveiling at the Shelby County Courthouse. Gibbons was appointed to the Tennessee Circuit Court for Shelby County in 1981 by then-Gov. Lamar Alexander at time when the judiciary was made up of only 10% women, making her the first female judge for a trial court of record in Tennessee. In her remarks at the event, Gibbons asked current and former female judges to stand up, saying, “The legal profession is more diverse in many ways than it was in 1981, and we’re better for it.” The Daily Memphian has the story and photos from the event or watch a video from the ceremony.

New lawyers were welcomed to the legal profession at swearing ceremonies in Knoxville and Nashville this week. Representatives from the TBA and local bar associations were on hand to congratulate the new admittees. See photos from today’s events.

President Joe Biden on Tuesday signed an executive order that will refuse asylum for migrants who cross the southern border when there is a high volume of daily encounters, The Hill reports. The ban will be in effect when the seven-day average of daily border crossings exceeds 2,500 between ports of entry, administration officials said. Under that criteria, the ban will go into effect immediately. Asylum restrictions will not apply to unaccompanied minors, and officials will continue to interview migrants who state a fear of returning to their country because of a threat of persecution or potential torture.