Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti announced Thursday he is leading a bipartisan coalition of 18 attorneys general urging Congress to pass the NCAA Accountability Act of 2023. The legislation would ensure that NCAA provides transparent due process in its investigations and create fairness for student-athletes, coaches and institutions. It would also authorize the Department of Justice to take legal action, including fines or removal, against the NCAA or individuals who violate the law. Read the full press release.

The TBA's Hot Topics in Real Estate program wrapped up earlier this year, offering six individual real estate courses such as Politics and Government in Real Estate, Sticky Provisions in a Commercial Lease and Ethics and AI. All the courses are now available to finish up your CLE requirements fast and easy! Looking for something else? Visit our course catalog, which offers more than 200 on-demand programs.

A three-judge panel on Friday issued a temporary injunction blocking a state law that would have replaced nearly half of the members of the Nashville sports authority with state-appointed members, reports the Tennessean. The unanimous ruling held that the 2023 law infringes on Nashville's "constitutionally protected interest in control over its local affairs." Metro Director of Law Wally Dietz said in a statement the city remains "ready to protect the rights of Metropolitan Nashville … in the hope that 2024 results in an improved relationship between the State and Metro Nashville." The decision marks the fourth time this year that courts have sided with Metro Nashville in its legal fights with the state. 

The number of whistleblowers receiving awards from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) dropped sharply in fiscal year 2023, reports Bloomberg Law. The agency received more than 18,000 tips in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, a 50% jump from the previous year, according to the SEC annual report to Congress. Only 68 tipsters received awards, compared to more than 100 in 2021 and 2022. The lure of payouts, such as the $279 million that went to one tipster last year, along with no increase in the program’s budget, may be taxing the SEC’s ability to keep up with the intent of the legislation.

The Democratic primary for Shelby County General Sessions Court clerk will be held March 5, 2024, with early voting from Feb. 14-27. Incumbent Joe W. Brown and four other Democrats, Rheunte E. Benson, Shelandra Yvette Ford, Tami Sawyer and George Dempsy Summers, are vying for the nomination. Lisa Arnold is the sole Republican candidate to meet candidate requirements and will appear on the Aug. 1 ballot against the winner of the Democratic primary. The clerk is responsible for keeping records and funds for both the civil and criminal court divisions. Read more about the candidates.

TBAs CLE-Palooza offers webcast replays for all your CLE end-of-the-year requirements through Dec. 31. Webcasts include the Positive Psychology and Leadership Hour and Ethics Homeshow available now, Ethics Update on Dec. 28, Document Management and Retention on Dec. 29, Legislative Update 2023 on Dec. 30 and Eight Reasons Movie Lawyers Would Be Disciplined on Dec. 31. Visit our CLE course schedule for more info and get all your CLE credits before Dec. 31.

Don't forget, the TBA's 12 Days of Ethics ends Friday. Earn all of your ethics hours before the Dec. 31 deadline with the Ultimate Ethics CLE Package which offers up to eight hours of dual credit. Sessions include our popular Ethics Homeshow, updates from the Board of Professional Responsibility and ethics violations in the movies. Also check out our Attorney Wellness Package for five dual CLE hours. Topics include coping skills, setting work boundaries and mindfulness. Discover our other packages or choose from more than 200 on-demand programs. Sign up now!

The special prosecutor investigating Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert reported to Shelby County commissioners that “to date, we have not received in writing one formal complaint or grievance in the form of an email, letter or any other type of documented correspondence," according to the Daily Memphian. Hamilton County District Attorney General Coty G. Wamp is serving as special prosecutor to investigate if there are grounds for a move to oust Halbert from her position for mismanagement of the office. Wamp said Halbert’s tenure as clerk has included a backlog of registration renewals and violation of state law governing the release of public records requested in the probe. Halbert has denied wrongdoing and said her office has not received full funding from the county administration.

A number of lawyers have been reinstated after being suspended for not paying their annual registration fee to the Board of Professional Responsibility. They include 25 lawyers who did not pay their fee in 2023, three who did not pay the fee in 2022, one who did not pay the fee in 2021 and one who did not pay the fee in 2012. The TBA has records of all administrative suspensions and reinstatements going back to 2005. See all lists here.

The Tennessee Supreme Court recently reinstated four lawyers suspended for not paying their professional privilege tax: one who did not pay in 2015, one who did not pay in 2021, one who did not pay in 2022 and one who did not pay in 2023. The TBA has records of all administrative suspensions and reinstatements going back to 2005. See all lists here.