TBA’s member benefit partner SoFi will offer a free webinar on June 4 at noon CDT to help lawyers better understand the current status of the student loan landscape. Join Brian Walsh, SoFi’s financial planning leader, as he breaks down the latest changes and how SoFi at Work can help. The session also will include a live Q&A to answer any questions from attendees. Register here.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has filed a class action lawsuit over the Trump administration’s decision to terminate the legal status of some student visa holders in four northeastern states and Puerto Rico. The group argues the move puts those students in danger of being deported, The Hill reports. The U.S. State Department defended the actions saying it revokes visas every day to secure the borders and to keep communities safe. According to the Associated Press, about 1,100 students at more than 170 schools have been impacted since last month. In Tennessee, three schools so far — Christian Brothers University, University of Memphis and University of Tennessee — have reported impacts on their students.

West Tennessee Legal Services (WTLS) and the Jackson-Madison County Bar Association will hold a Law Day celebration in Jackson on May 2. The event, which will include a luncheon featuring a judicial panel, will take place from noon to 1:30 p.m. CDT at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 309 E Baltimore St., Jackson 38301. Tickets are $35 for association members, $50 for non-members and $25 for non-attorneys. Tickets must be purchased by May 1.

The U.S. Supreme Court early Saturday halted the Trump administration’s use of the Alien Enemies Act to deport migrants who are being detained in Texas, The Hill reports. The emergency order temporarily blocks deportations until the court resolves an emergency appeal from the American Civil Liberties Union. On Friday, the group asked a number of courts to intervene alleging that deportations were actively underway. The Justice Department disputed those claims. The high court decision comes a few days after U.S. District Judge James Boasberg found "probable cause" to hold administration officials in contempt for deporting accused Venezuelan gang members to El Salvador in March after he ordered the planes to turn around, Bloomberg Law reports. On Friday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit halted those contempt proceedings to give it sufficient opportunity to consider the government’s appeal. The Hill reports on that development.

On April 9, the Tennessee Supreme Court rejected a motion from Davidson County lawyer Michael Lloyd Freeman to appeal a Board of Professional Responsibility decision to revoke his probation. On June 21, 2021, the Supreme Court suspended Freeman for three years, with 90 days to be served on active suspension and the remainder on probation. During the active suspension, complaints were lodged again him. After a hearing, the Board of Professional Responsibility determined that probation should be revoked, and Freeman be required to serve the remainder of the time on active suspension. It informed Freeman that he had 60 days to appeal the decision to the circuit or chancery court. The Supreme Court found that information to be incorrect. Under the rules, a hearing panel’s order on a petition to revoke probation is to be treated as a decree of the trial court. Thus, any appeal is to be made to the Supreme Court within 30 days. Freeman appealed 37 days after the hearing panel’s decision. The trial court, recognizing that it lacked jurisdiction, transferred the appeal to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court dismissed the appeal for timeliness but noted that Freeman could file a motion requesting entry of a corrected judgment, which, if granted, would begin a new 30-day time frame for appealing.

Tennessee lawyers will gather in June for the 2025 TBA Annual Convention, which will offer compelling CLE programming, networking opportunities and social events. This year's CLE lineup will bring together an esteemed group of speakers to cover timely legal issues. The annual Bench Bar CLE program on Thursday will explore Tennessee lawyers who have made history in the state. Later that day, TBA President Ed Lanquist Jr. will join with others to present on the topic “AI in the Life of a Lawyer,” while TBA’s government relations team will provide an update on the recent legislative session and a new indigent representation plan. Thursday’s programming will wrap up with a joint program with the Tennessee Alliance of Black Lawyers (TABL) on “Addressing Inequality for a Healthier Legal System.” On Friday, the TBA will present an attorney wellness session and a vendor panel on the future of legal tech, while the Young Lawyers Division will present a panel on the state of DEI. Don’t miss this opportunity to earn up to eight hours of CLE credit while connecting with colleagues from across the state. Still need to register for the Convention? Get started here.

Registration is now open for the next free advice clinic for Black-owned small businesses and nonprofits, set for May 15 in Nashville. 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. Register by May 12 to participate. Attorneys should email vlpa@abcnashville.org to volunteer.

The Tennessee Board of Law Examiners has released statistics about the state's February 2025 bar exam. According to the board, 244 individuals — 102 first time test takers and 142 repeaters — took the exam. They represent 60 different law schools and saw an overall pass rate of 44%. First-time test takers saw a pass rate of 58%. For first time test-takers at Tennessee law schools, Belmont University College of Law and Vanderbilt University Law School saw a 100% pass rate, followed by the University of Tennessee College of Law at 88%, Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law at 77%, University of Memphis School of Law at 50%, and Nashville School of Law at 44%. See all statistical information released by the board or see the list of those who passed.

Dickson County lawyer Bridget Eileen Rose Metzger was reinstated to the practice of law on April 11, after being placed on inactive status more than five years ago on April 21, 2016. The Board of Professional Responsibility determined that Metzger met all requirements for reinstatement.

Knox County lawyer Jerry Ronald Givens received a public censure from the Tennessee Supreme Court on April 14. The court found that Givens violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3, 3.4 and Rule 8.4(d) while representing a client in a general sessions civil suit. Among his actions, Givens failed to attend the initial trial setting, at which a judgment was entered against his client; untimely appealed the judgment to circuit court after the 10-day appeal deadline; untimely filed an appellate brief; failed to comply with an extension of time to file the brief; and failed to file a motion for extension of time to file the brief after being directed to do so by the court.