Although the Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct only briefly mention “zealous representation,” clients, courts and disciplinary authorities often expect and demand it. This three-hour webcast will look at the ethics and malpractice risks when “zealous” representation crosses the line. Learn more or register here.

An item in Tuesday's TBA Today included information about the expansion of Barnes & Thornburg's Nashville office that was incorrect. The firm will double its current office space when it moves into the Broadwest office tower, but it is not adding or announcing new partners at this time.

The Tennessee Board of Judicial Conduct issued Shelby County Criminal Court Division 9 Judge A. Melissa Boyd a public reprimand today for failing to abide by the terms of an earlier suspension order, reports the Daily Memphian. The board said it was referring her to the Tennessee General Assembly “for further action” after Boyd failed to complete certain conditions set forth in the suspension order, including a physical, mental health, and/or substance abuse or addiction evaluation by a provider approved by the Tennessee Lawyers’ Assistance Program (TLAP). Boyd has been off the bench since May. She earlier told the Daily Memphian that she didn't plan to have the evaluation because of its high cost – which she estimates at $6,000 – and an ultimate belief it would be unnecessary. 

The state Supreme Court reinstated the license of Tennessee attorney Rachel K. Tyson effective Oct. 19 after Tyson completed requirements of the BPR.

The Nashville Business Journal recently recognized TBA Chief Diversity Officer Mary Beard as an inaugural recipient of its Leaders in Diversity Award. The honorees include individuals and companies who are leading the charge to advance diversity and inclusion practices in the workplace, showing progress over perfection and speaking out for others in the business community. Beard is Senior Human Resources Counsel for HCA Healthcare Inc. “The biggest challenge is for individuals to recognize that unconscious bias exists and that they act on those biases,” said Beard in a feature profile. “Educating stakeholders on the use of micro-inclusions assists in overcoming the challenging effects of those micro-aggressions.” The Nashville law firm Sherrard Roe Voigt & Harbison PLC also was recognized with an award for its DEI efforts.

Indianapolis-based Barnes & Thornburg LLP, one of the nation’s 100 largest law firms, has signed a 26,000-square-foot lease in the Broadwest office tower in Nashville, reports Nashville Business Journal. The firm announced the opening of its office in May. The move will more than double its current temporary space. The arrival of Barnes & Thornburg intensifies the competition within the metro legal scene. Earlier this year Holland & Knight added Nashville firm Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis into its company.

Shelby County Criminal Court Judge Lee Coffee removed himself Friday from the murder trial for the suspects accused of killing Memphis rapper Young Dolph, reports WREG-Memphis. The case will now be sent to the criminal court clerk to be reassigned. An appeals court reversed Coffee’s September decision to reject a motion for recusal. Young Dolph, whose real name was Adolph Thornton Jr., was shot to death at Makeda’s Cookies in Memphis on Nov. 17, 2021. The request for Coffee to recuse himself came after Coffee restricted phone privileges for Justin Johnson, one of the men charged with first-degree murder for the death of Young Dolph.

The Legal Aid Society will host a free legal clinic for Davidson County residents on Wednesday at the downtown Nashville Public Library, 615 Church St., Nashville 37219 4-6 p.m. CDT. Volunteer attorneys are needed to help provide legal advice. This legal clinic will help people with civil legal issues such as family law, consumer law, debt collections, power of attorney, employment law, health law, public benefits, housing, probate/estate, wills and bankruptcy. If you’re interested in volunteering, please email Kendra Cheek.

The American Bar Association Standing Committee on the Law Library of Congress is launching a new traveling exhibit, “100 Years After the Indian Citizenship Act: The Continuing Struggle to Guarantee Voting Rights to Native Americans,” in celebration of Native American Heritage Month in November. The exhibit explores Native American Voting Rights before the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924 and will build off the success of its predecessors that reached more than 225 venues nationwide: Magna Carta (2015-18), 19th Amendment (2019-22) and Mayflower Compact (2022-23). The new exhibit will be on display nationwide at law schools, state capitol buildings, state and local bar associations, courthouses, law firms and national and local conferences. Visit the ABA website for the full press release and current exhibit locations.

President Biden issued a new executive order Monday on AI requiring new safety assessments, equity and civil rights guidance and research on AI’s impact on the labor market, reports The Hill. The order directs federal agencies to take steps to prevent AI algorithms from being used to exacerbate discrimination in housing, federal benefits programs and the criminal justice system. In addition, the order directs the Commerce Department to create guidance for watermarking AI-generated content to mitigate the spread of AI-generated misinformation. Read the full executive order.