In an interview on Tuesday, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights Director Melanie Fontes Rainer said the agency will "continue to support health care and privacy rights" for Tennesseans who might be affected by HB1895/SB1971. The proposed legislation targets an adult who "recruits, harbors or transports" a pregnant minor for the purposes of receiving an abortion, defined by Tennessee's abortion ban, or for getting abortion medication. The Tennessean reports that while HIPAA-covered entities like health care providers are allowed to share records with law enforcement if asked, they are not required to do so. Rainer said her agency is working to close that permissive gap, with a proposed rule banning HIPAA entities from sharing personal health care records with law enforcement.

Volunteer lawyers are needed for an upcoming expungement clinic in Memphis on May 3. The event will be held in partnership with the Memphis Bar Association Access to Justice Committee, the Young Lawyers Division of the Memphis Bar Association and Shelby County Commissioner Charlie Caswell. Sign up for a shift or view a flyer of the event.

Joe Ingle, death row prisoner advocate, will discuss his new book, "Too Close to the Flame: With the Condemned Inside the Southern Killing Machine," with retired attorney Keith Simmons at Nashville's Parnassus Books on May 6 at 6:30 p.m. CDT. As an advocate for men and women condemned to death, Ingle says he has seen an unjust legal system that routinely victimizes the marginalized. He has often found himself waiting through the darkest hours as the spiritual advisor and sole companion of those on deathwatch — the brief period of isolation that precedes an execution. The event is free but registration is required.

The Tennessee Trial Court Vacancy Commission will meet on May 21 in Gallatin to consider nine applicants for a circuit court judge vacancy in the 18th Judicial District, which serves Sumner County. The new judicial position was created by the Tennessee General Assembly in March and will take effect Sept. 1. The applicants are Sumner County attorneys Michael Begley, Thomas B. Dean, Keith C. Dennen, Matthew Grosland, Eric Mauldin, Jennifer S. Nichols, Kathryn Strong, William J. Whalen Sr. and Tara A. Wylie. The public hearing will take place at Volunteer State Community College, 1480 Nashville Pk., Gallatin 37066, beginning at 9 a.m. CDT. The commission is expected to vote immediately following the interviews and forward three names to Gov. Bill Lee for his consideration. Read more in a press release from the Administrative Office of the Courts.

The annual Entertainment & Sports Law Forum will take place on May 8 at Belmont College of Law and will feature some of the brightest minds in the industry as they break down the latest developments and cutting-edge issues in the entertainment and sports industries. Specific topics will include a session on the Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security (ELVIS) Act, a litigation update, an overview of the Corporate Transparency Act, a panel discussion on artificial intelligence (AI) misuse of voice and personal property rights as it relates to voice, and a sports law session.

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti has joined a 23-state coalition opposing Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations that require it to consider “disparate impacts” to forward race-conscious “environmental justice” initiatives. The group argues that the regulations are illegal and distract the EPA from its core mission of lawfully enforcing the nation’s environmental laws. Read more about the issue.

The Tennessee Supreme Court has issued notice that the state Senate and House have ratified amendments to the Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure and Tennessee Rules of Appellate Procedure. The amendments will take effect on July 1.

The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee has held a hearing on the nomination of U.S. Attorney Kevin Ritz for a position on the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals. Ritz, who serves the Western District of Tennessee, answered questions about past cases he has prosecuted as well as the crime rate in Memphis. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, Republican of Tennessee, expressed her displeasure with the Biden administration’s choice of Ritz for the post, accusing him of ethics violations and mistreating public defenders and indigent defendants. Bloomberg Law reports on those allegations. Ritz, who was nominated in March, received a unanimous “well qualified” rating from the American Bar Association. Watch the hearing here. Coverage of Ritz begins at 34:18.

The Tennessee Trial Court Vacancy Commission will meet on May 20 in Columbia to consider five applicants for a circuit court judge vacancy in the 22nd Judicial District, which serves Giles, Lawrence, Maury and Wayne counties. This vacancy will be created by the upcoming retirement of Judge David Allen on Aug. 3. The applicants are: Lewisburg attorneys Lee E. Brooks and Richard M. Murrell; Columbia attorney Wesley M. Bryant; and Lawrenceburg attorneys Jessica H. Parrish and Amy L. Wilson. The public hearing will take place at Columbia Central High School, 921 Lion Pkwy., Columbia 38401 beginning at 9 a.m. CDT. The commission is expected to vote immediately following the interviews and forward three names to Gov. Bill Lee for his consideration. Read more in a press release from the Administrative Office of the Courts.

On April 10, Overton County lawyer Lynda W. Patterson received a public censure from the Tennessee Supreme Court. Patterson was hired to seek damages against the former residential tenants of her client. She negotiated an agreed judgment with the tenants, prepared the order, secured signatures and mailed the document to the court. The order though was never entered by the court. Patterson’s client contacted her twice about the status of the order, but she did not respond. Fourteen months later Patterson discovered the order had not been entered and proceeded with a default judgment against the former tenants. The court found that her actions violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3, 3.2 and 8.4(d).