Twice within the first six months of her employment with the state, Tennessee Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds signed forms certifying she had been a state employee for more than six months (the minimum requirement for free tuition eligibility for state employees) as she sought a tuition waiver for classes at the University of Tennessee at Martin, reports The Tennessean. In response to inquiries from the news outlet this week about the tuition waiver forms, the Department of Education said Reynolds filed the paperwork as the result of "an administrative error," and recently repaid the tuition money. Reynolds' qualifications to hold her position have come under scrutiny in recent months.

Vanderbilt University announced that it has hired Nashville attorney Aubrey B. Harwell Jr. to review the school’s response to a student demonstrations last week, as well as the campus media access policy. Nashville Scene reporter Eli Motycka was covering the student protest and was arrested by campus police. Four student demonstrators were also arrested and several others suspended. The Tennessean reports that Vanderbilt University Chancellor Daniel Diermeier said the university’s response to media on campus was a “rightful concern” and a “free speech issue.” The review comes after strong criticism of the arrests from community members and public officials.

The Tennessee Supreme Court has temporarily suspended Shelby County lawyer Sheila L. Robinson-Beasley after finding that she misappropriated funds and property for her personal use, and poses a threat of substantial harm to the public. The suspension will remain in effect until dissolution or modification by the court.

Williamson County lawyer Randy Wayne "R.W." Hardison was reinstated to the practice of law today after being suspended for five years by the Tennessee Supreme Court on April 17, 2019, retroactive to a temporary suspension imposed on Aug. 29, 2017. On Oct. 12, 2023, Hardison filed a reinstatement petition and the court found it to be satisfactory.

The Tennessee Supreme Court censured Shelby County lawyer William Ray Glasgow on April 3. The court found that a lawsuit Glasgow filed on behalf of a client against a sitting judge lacked any meritorious basis in fact or law, and was done solely to advance his own interests as a candidate challenging the judge in an upcoming judicial election. The court also found that the lawsuit contained a false or reckless statement that the sitting judge had engaged in "constructive kidnapping" of a minor child with "willful and deliberate malice and intent" while presiding over a dependent and neglect proceeding. These actions violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1, 1.3, 3.1, 4.4(a)(l), 8.2(a) and 8.4(d).

A number of legal groups will hold a free virtual name change clinic via Zoom at 4:30 p.m. EDT on April 11, Chattanoogan.com reports. Pre-registration is required by April 10 by calling 423-402-4766. After the virtual clinic, clients will gather on the fifth floor of The Edney on April 16, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. EDT to sign and notarize completed documents. The clinic is sponsored by Legal Aid of East Tennessee (LAET), the Chattanooga Bar Association, the TBA Young Lawyers Division, Chattanooga Trans Liberation Collective and the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands.

A three-judge panel meeting in Nashville heard arguments on whether to issue a temporary injunction blocking the state's abortion ban for women who are suffering severe pregnancy complications or facing cases of lethal fetal conditions. The lawsuit, Blackmon v. State of Tennessee, was brought on behalf of several women by lawyers at the Center for Reproductive Rights and others. The Tennessean reports on the hearing, which was presided over by 20th Judicial District Chancellor Patricia Head Moskal, 10th Judicial District Criminal Court Judge Sandra Donaghy and 25th Judicial District Chancellor Kasey Culbreath. A recording of the proceeding is available to watch online.

U.S. Rep. John Rose, R-Cookeville, has confirmed that he is looking at a potential 2026 race for governor, The Tennessee Journal reports. “Well, it’s something I’m thinking about,” the three-term congressman and former state agriculture commissioner said after hosting a discussion with Republican state lawmakers in Nashville. Rose, who represents Tennessee's Sixth Congressional District, held the event to discuss federal and state issues. Gov. Bill Lee will be term-limited from running again when his current term expires in 2026.

Maryam Abolfazli has officially launched a campaign for Tennessee's Fifth Congressional District seat, which is currently held by Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Columbia. Abolfazli is running as a Democrat in a district that encompasses parts of Davidson and Williamson counties and southern Middle Tennessee, the Nashville Scene reports. Currently chair of the Metro Human Relations Commission, she has been active on local issues such as the recent Titans stadium deal and issues of gun safety, especially following the shooting at Nashville’s Covenant School. Ogles will face Brentwood cybersecurity expert Tom Guarente and singer-songwriter Stokes Nielson in the Republican primary. Abolfazli will run against Williamson County resident Kiran Sreepada in the Democratic primary.

Homeless advocacy group Open Table Nashville has filed an amicus brief in a U.S. Supreme Court case that could affect how cities and states address homeless encampments. The organization joins other service providers and legal advocates across the country in encouraging the Supreme Court to uphold a ruling that prevents cities from punishing people for sleeping outside when they have no access to adequate shelter. The brief comes in the case of Grants Pass v. Johnson, which involves an Oregon town seeking to enforce a ban on camping on public property. The U.S. 9th Circuit of Appeals previously ruled that such a ban violates the Eighth Amendment's prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment. The Supreme Court will hear arguments on April 22, the Nashville Post reports. In 2022, Tennessee lawmakers made camping while homeless a felony.