The U.S. House of Representatives has passed legislation limiting the authority of federal district judges to issue nationwide orders. The Associated Press reports that HR 1526, which passed by a vote of 219-213, limits the scope of injunctive relief ordered by a district judge to those parties before the court, rather than applying the relief nationally. In the U.S. Senate, similar bills have been introduced by Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, (S. 1206) and Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley (S. 1099). The Hill has more on Grassley’s proposal.

The Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility (BPR) has issued two new ethics opinions. The first, 2025-F-171, addresses the ethical propriety of a non-disparagement clause in a products liability case settlement agreement that makes the lawyers in Firm A parties to the settlement proposed by Firm B. The second, 2025-F-172, addresses limited scope legal services provided by a private attorney. That opinion states that attorneys may engage in limited scope representation so long as it is reasonable under the circumstances and the client gives informed consent, preferably in writing. Attorneys also must follow the Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure, specifically Rule 11.0l(b) and (c) regarding disclosure of such limited scope representation. See all past opinions from the board. Update: On April 21, 2025, the Board of Professional Responsibility voted to withdraw formal ethics opinion 2025-F-172.

Brock Shipe Klenk PLC has announced that former Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Sharon Lee has joined the Knoxville-based firm. The firm says that with her years of experience as a litigator, mediator and appellate judge, Lee will enhance its broad range of services to clients and the legal community in the areas of mediation, litigation and appellate advocacy. In a press release announcing the news, the firm says it is honored that Lee will continue her remarkable legal career by providing her knowledge and experience to its practice, and that it looks forward to Lee being an integral part of the firm’s continued growth. Lee can be reached at 865-338-9700 and slee@bskplc.com.

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The deadline for submitting nominations for the 2025 Judge Pamela L. Reeves Tennessee Professionalism Award has been extended to April 14. This year's award, presented by the TBA and Tennessee’s American Inns of Court, will honor a lawyer or judge residing in the Middle Grand Division whose life and practice display sterling character and unquestioned integrity, coupled with ongoing dedication to the highest standards of the rule of law and the highest standards of the legal profession in Tennessee. Nominees must be alive when nominations are submitted but they need not be an active member of an American Inn of Court or the TBA. The award will be presented at the TBA's Annual Convention, which will be held in Franklin June 11-14. Read about past award recipients.

After a prosecutor acknowledged that a Maryland man was wrongly deported to El Salvador due to an "administrative error," the Trump administration was ordered to return him to the United States. On Friday, U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis directed the administration return Kilmar Abrego Garcia in response to a lawsuit filed by the man and his family. Today, U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts temporarily paused the compliance deadline, which was to take effect at midnight tonight, The Hill reports. Roberts agreed to hold the deadline until the high court can resolve the administration’s emergency request to lift the lower court order. The administration argues that Garcia has ties to the MS-13 gang. A judge previously ruled he should not be deported to El Salvador due to concerns he would face harm there. His family says he does not have gang connections.

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