The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has sued the state of Illinois and the city of Chicago, accusing them of impeding new immigration enforcement policies. The suit is seeking a court order to set aside sanctuary laws, arguing such measures are unconstitutional because of the federal government’s supremacy. The Hill reports that soon after taking office as the new attorney general, Pam Bondi issued a memo stating that “sanctuary” jurisdictions should not receive funds from DOJ grant programs, and the department should take actions against jurisdictions that impede immigration enforcement.

The Tennessee Supreme Court dismissed a reinstatement petition from Virginia lawyer Daniel Lynn Withers on Feb. 4. The court took the action after determining that Withers had not met outstanding obligations with the Tennessee Commission on Continuing Legal Education by the deadline of Feb. 1. On Dec. 19, 2024, the court alerted Withers to the outstanding obligations and gave him until Feb. 1 to resolve the issues.

The Tennessee Supreme Court reinstated Mississippi lawyer Franklin Alan Garrison to the practice of law on Feb. 4 after finding he satisfied outstanding obligations with the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility and the Tennessee Commission on Continuing Legal Education. The court made the reinstatement effective as of Jan. 8. Garrison filed a reinstatement petition on Dec. 26, 2024. The court gave him until March 17 to satisfy the obligations or said it would dismiss the petition.

New data from the National Association for Law Placement (NALP) reveals a record level of representation for women, people of color and LGBTQ individuals in U.S. law firms — especially for women, who now constitute 55.4% of associates. But the study also found that the percentage of women summer associates in 2024 dropped 0.7% of a point from last year — the first decline since 2013, the National Jurist reports. The authors warn this drop may indicate more sluggish growth in coming years. In addition, Black individuals experienced a second consecutive year of declining representation in the summer associate ranks. Overall, diversity in summer associate programs was up due to increased representation from Asians and multi-racial individuals. Read more about the 2024-2025 Report on Diversity in U.S. Law Firms in this news release from NALP.

East Tennessee Lawyers’ Association for Women (ETLAW) recently announced new leaders and board members for the year. Bianca White is president and law school liaison for the group. Jennifer Franklyn is president-elect, Katie Ogle is treasurer, Christina Magrans-Tillery is secretary, Stephanie Coleman is historian, Jennifer Egelston is Membership Committee chair, Bridget Pyman is Programming Committee chair, Kendal Walker is Communications Committee chair and Adriannette Williams is Community Outreach chair. Membership Committee members are Allison Starnes-Angela, Elizabeth Carroll and Geran Minor. Programming Committee members are Caitlin Torney and Emily Cala.

Christopher Aaron Posey died Feb. 3 after a long and challenging battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 45. Posey earned his undergraduate degree from Tusculum University in Knoxville and his law degree from the Ave Maria School of Law in Naples, Florida. Prior to pursuing a career in law, Posey spent 20 years as an auto sales consultant in Knoxville, as a part owner of Quality Auto Sales in Knoxville and then in Naples with high-end luxury brands. Visitation will be held Saturday from 1-2 p.m. EST in the chapel of West-Murley Funeral Home, 18641 Alberta St., Oneida 37841. A funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, P.O. Box 5041, Boone, IA 50950; or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

The Tennessee Attorney General’s (AG) Office announced this week that the Tennessee Public Utility Commission denied almost all of a $13.9 million annual rate increase requested by Tennessee-American Water Company, which would have affected utility customers in and around Chattanooga. The AG’s Consumer Advocate Division, joined by the city of Chattanooga, opposed the rate increase. Also this week, in advance of Sunday’s Super Bowl, the AG’s office warned consumers of the risks of wagering with an unlicensed sportsbook. The office said that scammers use fake sites to steal both money and consumers’ identities. Tennesseans should ensure whatever company they use is licensed with the state.

Belmont Law, Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands and the Metro Nashville Office of Conservatorship Management will hold a conservatorship clinic on Feb. 12 from 5-8 p.m. CST. Attorney volunteers are needed to assist pre-screened clients with the conservatorship process. Belmont Law students will assist the attorneys by filling out paperwork. The event will take place at Belmont Law, 1901 15th Ave. S., Nashville 37212. Want to volunteer? Contact Ginny Blake at ginny.blake@belmont.edu.

Registration is now open for the next free advice clinic for Black-owned small businesses and nonprofits, set for Feb. 20 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 Feb. 17 to participate. Attorneys should email vlpa@abcnashville.org to volunteer.

The TBA Intellectual Property (IP) Section will hold the second installment of its 2025 webcast series on Feb. 19 with a look at best practices in trademark law. The presentation, featuring John Stevens with Patterson Intellectual Property Law, will provide a brief discussion of the foundations of trademark law followed by a look at common issues encountered by IP practitioners. The presentation will wrap up with a discussion of the pitfalls in this practice area and how to avoid them. Section members enjoy discounted registration. Not a section member yet? Get started here and save the date for the next installment of the series: Protecting Your Copyright Registration on March 5.