President Donald Trump has named former Tennessee Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn as deputy U.S. secretary of education. The Tennessean reports that Schwinn, a former teacher and founding principal of a charter school, was an early appointment in Gov. Bill Lee's administration. She served in the role for five years. Lee praised the selection as “another strong choice to further [the [president’s] education agenda — delivering school choice and finally returning power back to the states,” though other conservatives in the state expressed concern about the choice.

On the last day of his presidency, Joe Biden granted blanket pardons to five family members; members of Congress who investigated the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol; former National Institutes of Health leader Anthony Fauci; and retired Gen. Mark Milley, former chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. A few days earlier, Biden commuted the sentences of almost 2,500 people convicted of nonviolent drug offenses. The Associated Press reports on those actions. According to Reuters, Biden also granted clemency to Native American activist Leonard Peltier, who had been sentenced to life for killing two FBI agents. Since taking office Monday, President Donald Trump also has issued a slew of pardons, including pardons for all of those charged in the Jan. 6 attack on the capitol — including some 30 who have connections to Tennessee — as well as Ross Ulbricht, who operated a dark web marketplace. Read more about those actions from The Tennessean and Reuters.

President Donald Trump has named a number of acting leaders at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) while his nominees await confirmation. According to Bloomberg Law, James McHenry, a longtime DOJ immigration official, will serve as acting attorney general; Emil Bove, Trump’s personal lawyer, will serve as acting deputy attorney general; and veteran federal prosecutor Antoinette “Toni” Bacon will serve as acting leader of the criminal division. Attorney general nominee Pam Bondi appeared before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee last week. Bloomberg reports on the hearing, which can be watched in full on the committee’s website (watch Day 1 or Day 2). The committee is set to vote on the nomination on Jan. 29 according to Politico.

The Tennessee Supreme Court issued an order on Jan. 17 maintaining a temporary suspension imposed on Greene County lawyer Francis Xavier Santore Jr. and a pause in the disciplinary proceeding until Santore complies with certain requirements. While considering disciplinary action against Santore, a Board of Professional Responsibility (BPR) hearing panel recommended a five-year suspension with three years on active suspension and two years on probation. Both Santore and the BPR appealed the recommendation. While the appeal was pending in a trial court, the BPR petitioned the Supreme Court to transfer Santore to disability inactive status and require a mental health examination. The court granted the motion. Santore then asked the trial court to halt the disciplinary appeal pending a determination of his alleged incapacity. The trial court granted the motion and suspended the appeal. After Santore indicated he had no intention of complying with requirements of the suspension, the BPR asked the Supreme Court to lift the pause on the appeal so the matter could proceed to conclusion. The court rejected the request.

The Tennessee Supreme Court issued an order on Jan. 17 referring a petition from Carter County lawyer Jason Lee Holly seeking dissolution of a temporary suspension to the Board of Professional Responsibility. The court had imposed the suspension on Holly on Oct. 28, 2024, for failing to respond to the board concerning complaints of misconduct. Holly filed a reinstatement petition on Jan. 3, stating he had complied with all conditions imposed by the court, but the board argued that he had not complied with all conditions. The court directed the board to hold a hearing to consider the petition.

The Tennessee Supreme Court issued an order on Jan. 17 soliciting comments on proposed changes to Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, sections 26.4 and 33.1. The deadline for submitting comments is March 3. Written comments should reference docket No. ADM2025-00078 and be emailed to appellatecourtclerk@tncourts.gov or mailed to Clerk James Hivner, 100 Supreme Court Building, 401 7th Ave. N., Nashville, TN 37219-1407, RE: Proposed Amendments to Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 9, sections 26.4 & 33.1. The changes primarily deal with the process for appealing the judgment of a Board of Professional Responsibility hearing panel.

The TBA will be closed Monday in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The office will reopen Tuesday at 8 a.m. CST. Visit the TBA.org website for information on CLE or other TBA programs and for staff contact information.

The Tennessee Supreme Court has permanently disbarred Johnson County lawyer and former general sessions judge Perry Lee Stout from the practice of law. Stout was temporarily suspended on Feb. 28, 2024, after pleading guilty to the commission of two felonies: conspiracy to possess with intent to sell not less than ten or more than 70 pounds of marijuana and money laundering. He was sentenced to an effective eight-year sentence in May 2024. In imposing disbarment, the court found that Stout knowingly violated Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct 8.4 (a), (b), (c) and (d) when he purchased illegal drugs and participated in illegal drug trafficking.

The Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville and its Volunteer Lawyers & Professionals for the Arts (VLPA) program will hold a clinic on Feb. 5 for those needing legal advice on issues surrounding their creative practice. The free 30-minute in-person appointments are available to income-qualified artists, musicians, creatives and arts organizations in the state. The clinic will run from 6-8 p.m. CST at the Belmont College of Law, Randall and Sadie Baskin Center, 1901 15th Ave. S., Nashville 37212. Those needing help should register by Jan. 31. To volunteer at the clinic email vlpa@abcnashville.org.

The Association for Women Attorneys' (AWA) Annual Banquet will take place Jan. 23 at The Kent, 601 Kell Ave., Memphis 38107. A reception will begin at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 p.m. CST. This year’s banquet will honor Shelby County Circuit Court Judge Rhynette Hurd. Tickets are available for purchase online. For more information contact Faith Watson.