The state House and Senate today voted in favor of a statewide school voucher bill that had previously eluded Gov. Bill Lee through his first six years in office, the Tennessean reports. Under the bill (SB6001/HB6004), 20,000 students would receive $7,300 subsidies to help pay for private school tuition. Half of the Education Freedom Scholarships would be income-limited to those from families earning less than 300% of the federal reduced-rate income limit, or about $175,000. A second bill (SB6005/HB6005) funding Education Freedom Scholarships, teacher bonuses and school infrastructure also passed. Last night, the House approved millions in relief funds for Eastern Tennessee, which saw flooding from Hurricane Helene in September. The bills approved allow the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency to provide assistance at the request of local governments, suspend certain unemployment eligibility requirements for residents in the disaster area, establish two funds to assist with disaster relief and give 2024 property tax breaks to those whose homes were destroyed or damaged as a result of the hurricane. An amendment to use $50 million from the state’s rainy-day fund for grants to those who lost homes during the disaster was rejected, the Nashville Post reports. WKRN provides additional details about the recovery funds and the Tennessee Transportation Financing Authority (TTFA). The Senate approved SB6003/HB6003, SB6004/HB6002 and HB6007/SB6007 on Wednesday and SB6005/HB6005 today.

A second round of pardons from President Donald Trump includes 11 individuals convicted for blockading a Mt. Juliet abortion clinic. The Tennessean reports that the protestors had been convicted under the federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, which prohibits obstruction, property damage or threats of force intended to interfere with access to reproductive health care. Prosecutors said the defendants passed out flyers, recorded video of their actions and refused to leave when asked. The president said the individuals should not have been prosecuted and noted that many were elderly. Going forward, prosecutions likely will be less common under a new Justice Department policy limiting application of the law to "extraordinary circumstances, or in cases presenting significant aggravating factors, such as death, serious bodily harm, or serious property damage."

Texas lawyer Jamie Elizabeth Silver petitioned the Tennessee Supreme Court for reinstatement to the practice of law on Dec. 26, 2024. While considering the request, the court discovered that Silver has outstanding requirements with the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility and the Tennessee Department of Revenue. In an order issued this week, the court directed Silver to complete these requirements by March 17 or it will dismiss the petition.

Mississippi lawyer Franklin Alan Garrison petitioned the Tennessee Supreme Court for reinstatement of his law license on Dec. 26, 2024. While considering the request, the court discovered that Garrison has outstanding requirements with the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility and the Tennessee Commission on Continuing Legal Education. In an order issued this week, the court directed Garrison to complete these requirements by March 17 or his petition will be dismissed.

West Tennessee Legal Services (WTLS) has named Jackson lawyer and former TBA president Jonathan Steen as its new medical legal partnership director. Medical-legal partnerships focus on collaboration among lawyers, physicians, case managers and social workers to address structural barriers that impact health outcomes. Steen joins the nonprofit after more than 30 years of civil legal experience in both trial and appellate courts, most recently with Spragins, Barnett & Cobb PLC. While he was TBA president, Steen established a Medical-Legal Partnership Working Group as part of the TBA’s Access to Justice Committee. Of his new position, Steen says, “I look forward to serving the community through my new role at WTLS in developing and supporting medical-legal partnerships that integrate legal expertise into health care settings to improve the health of those in our community.” Read more in a release from the organization.

Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Anthony Buckner says the doors at the Shelby County Jail began failing in March 2024 and now the facility has 636 that need replacing. Buckner says the project will cost $6.2 million and take two years to complete, the Daily Memphian reports. The doors, which operate on a sliding mechanism, have failed repeatedly throughout the last year, leading to a rise in inmate-on-inmate assaults and assaults against jail staff according to Buckner. He also says that “inmates learned strategies on defeating the doors or taking the doors back offline,” including kicking the doors in certain spots to keep them off their rails. Repairs have started and crews will be working on two pods at a time. The sheriff’s office received funding for door repairs at least twice last year, most recently a $10 million tranche from the Shelby County Commission in September. Sheriff Floyd Bonner Jr. has repeatedly stated his desire for a new jail, which could cost upwards of $1 billion.

The University of Tennessee College of Law has awarded its Tom & Elizabeth Fox Faculty Award for Service to the Bench & Bar to assistant professor of law Sherley Cruz. The award recognizes a faculty member for significant contributions to the work of national and local bar associations and the judiciary. “Professor Cruz maintains a very close connection to the Bench and Bar,” said Dean Lonnie Brown. “She actively engages practicing lawyers and judges in providing essential pro bono legal services to underserved citizens in our community, while at the same time exposing her students to an unparalleled learning experience.” Cruz explained her drive saying, “My service to the bar is one way for me to give back. My expertise and research can help Tennesseans across the state by influencing the work of lawyers, advocates and community organizers.” Read more in a news release from the school.

Grundy County lawyer Russell Shane Mainord received a public censure from the Tennessee Supreme Court on Jan. 29. Mainord represented three separate clients in immigration cases. Complaints against him included that he failed to provide a client with a copy of his files after being terminated, failed to take proper action on behalf of his clients when he failed to file court documents, and failed to exercise managerial and supervisory authority over his nonlawyer staff, which caused a delay in the proceedings. The court determined that these actions violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 1.15, 1.16, 3.2, 5.1 and 5.3. In addition to the censure, the court directed Mainord to refund $1,700 in attorney fees to the first client, $4,000 in attorney fees to the second client and $3,500 in attorney fees to the third client.

The links in yesterday's TBA Today news item about the 2025 Reporters Workshop have been updated to go to the current year application form. This year’s event will take place April 25-26 in Nashville. Journalists interested in attending should apply before 5 p.m. CDT on March 11. Learn more about the program.

The Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberland (LAS) will hold a free legal clinic in Antioch Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. CST. The clinic will take place at the southeast branch of the Nashville Public Library, 5260 Hickory Hollow Pkwy, Ste. 202, Antioch 37013. The general civil clinic will assist clients with issues such as landlord/tenant disputes, family law, estate planning and debt collection. Those in need of assistance should register online. Contact Kendra Cheek at 800-238-1443 or kcheek@las.org to volunteer.