Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee last week unveiled the "Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security (ELVIS) Act," a first-of-its-kind bill aimed at protecting singers and songwriters from unlawful use by artificial intelligence (AI), reports WSMV4. Lee made the announcement at historic RCA Studio B in Nashville, where Elvis Presley recorded for over a decade. The bill would prohibit people from using AI to replicate a performer’s voice without permission and would add an artist’s voice to existing image and likeness protections in Tennessee.

The TBA's Leadership Law Program (TBALL) held an opening retreat for the 2024 class at Henry Horton State Park this past weekend. Featured speakers and presenters included TBA President Jim Barry, TBA Executive Director Sheree Wright, Nashville School of Law President and Dean William C. Koch Jr. and attorney Randall L. Kinnard. The weekend also included a judge’s panel led by TBALL alumni now serving on the bench. The 2024 class will hold meetings in Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga and Columbia, culminating in a graduation ceremony in Memphis during the annual TBA Convention. The TBALL program aims to serve the legal profession by equipping participants with the vision, knowledge and skills necessary to serve as leaders. Now in its 20th year, the 2024 class includes participants from around the state. Learn more about the class and the program. See pictures from the event.

The TBA Young Lawyers Division (YLD) Board held its winter meeting this past weekend at Paris Landing State Park. YLD President Quinton Thompson presented Stars of the Quarter Awards to Anthony Adewumi for his work as an ambassador of the YLD, Samantha Ellis for her development of CLE programs, and Faith Watson for creating “Beyond the Bar: Resources & Opportunities for Those Who Do Not Pass” as a resource for those who do not pass the bar exam on the first try. Thompson also expressed appreciation for all board members and their outstanding effort in their roles. The Diversity Leadership Institute’s (DLI) Class of 2024 also met during the weekend for the first time. The law school students participated in sessions designed to help them prepare for their future, heard from TBA President Jim Barry and networked with YLD leaders. The class sessions were organized by DLI Co-Chairs Brande Boyd and Rod Watson. See pictures from the event.

Due to inclement weather, Tennessee Supreme Court Buildings in Nashville, Knoxville and Jackson, as well as the Administrative Office of the Courts will be closed today. Oral arguments scheduled in Knoxville for today have been postponed. Visit https://www.tncourts.gov/ for more information. According to the Memphis Bar Association, local, state and federal courts are closed today in Memphis, as is the Shelby County Circuit Court Clerks Office and the federal courthouse in Jackson. The Knoxville Bar Association reports that the U.S district courts in the Eastern Grand Division determine closings and delays on a case-by-case basis, but make every effort to contact attorneys with matters before the court that will be affected. The Chattanoogan reports that multiple Hamilton County government offices will be closed today due to the severe weather. Most local government offices in Nashville are closed today, according to the Nashville Post, as are state offices across the state, according to Gov. Bill Lee.

A federal judge in Florida on Friday ruled that a law barring people from possessing firearms in U.S. post offices is unconstitutional, reports Reuters. U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle ruled the law violated defendant Emmanuel Ayala's right to bear arms under the U.S. Constitution. Ayala, a postal service driver in Tampa, had a concealed weapons permit and was indicted after he brought his gun onto postal service property. Ayala fled federal agents who tried to detain him. Mizelle did not dismiss a separate charge for forcibly resisting arrest.

Legal artificial intelligence (AI) startup Harvey has successfully garnered funding that brings the company’s valuation to $700 million, BNN reports. The surprise infusion of cash for the fledgling startup “signals a positive shift in the sector” according to the international news source. Harvey, named for a character on the popular legal-themed television show “Suits,” says it plans to use the latest investment to expand its custom model building, scale its team and build out its suite of product features. Other AI-based legal tech companies like Robin AI are also gaining ground, BNN says. In related news, AI chatbots from OpenAI, Google and Meta are particularly likely to provide false or misleading information when answering legal questions, according to new research. A study by Stanford University found that “large language models hallucinate at least 75% of the time when answering questions about a court’s core ruling.” The study looked at 200,000 legal questions, Bloomberg Law reports.

The U.S. Department of Education today said it would fast-track loan forgiveness for low-balance borrowers, implementing a plan to start forgiving loans next month instead of in July as planned. According to Nashville Public Radio, the change will benefit undergraduate and graduate students who borrowed $12,000 or less in federal student loans and have been in repayment for at least 10 years. These loans will be automatically erased in February, so long as borrowers are actively repaying their loans and are enrolled in the Biden administration's income-based repayment plan known as SAVE. For every additional $1,000 in debt, the repayment window increases by a one year. For example, a student who took out $13,000 in loans will have their debts erased if they have been in repayment for 11 years.

A three-judge panel of the Tennessee Court of Appeals last week ruled that a challenge to the state’s pilot school voucher program in Davidson County can move forward, Chalkbeat reports. The court found that the trial court erred when it decided factual disputes during the dismissal stage of the proceeding and when it ruled that plainfiffs lacked standing to challenge the program. The appeals court sent the case back to the trial court for review. Tennessee Lookout has a history of the voucher program and the legal challenges that have played out since it launched in 2019. Read the court's opinion.

Registration will close Monday for the next free advice clinic for Black-owned small businesses and nonprofits. The clinic, sponsored by the Arts & Business Council's Volunteer Lawyers & Professionals for the Arts and Bradley, provides assistance with business formation and corporate governance, review of contracts and guidance in navigating local ordinances and state regulations. The clinic will take place next Thursday. Attorneys should email vlpa@abcnashville.org to volunteer.

Memphis Area Legal Services (MALS) will hold a Thursday afternoon Courthouse Advice & Counsel Clinic starting at 1 p.m. CST at the Shelby County Courthouse, 140 Adams St., Room 134. Volunteer lawyers are needed to help clients navigating the court system. This clinic is held the first and third Thursdays of the month. For more information or to sign up to help call 901-523-8822 or fill out this Google form.