A federal judge has delayed sentencing for Desmond Mills Jr., one of the former Memphis police officers charged in the death of Tyre Nichols. U.S. District Judge Mark Norris moved the sentencing date to early next year after a petition from Mills’ attorney, the Daily Memphian reports. The move to postpone sentencing comes after two other former officers asked for acquittals of their convictions on charges related to Nichols’ death. Mills agreed to a federal plea in November 2023.

Belmont Law is hosting its first Reentry Simulation partnership with the Tennessee Prison Outreach Ministry on Oct. 25 from 1-4 p.m. CDT in the Baskin Building Commons Area, 1901 15th Ave S, Nashville 37212. During the simulation, attendees will take on a new identity and experience real-life situations that individuals face during reentry. Each participant is equipped with a "Life Card" detailing criminal background, living and job situations, and specific weekly tasks crucial for avoiding potential return to prison as they experience the first month of post-release life. Registration is free but required.

Faith-based leaders, law enforcement and community members will gather Oct. 24 for the “Protecting Places of Worship Forum” in Memphis. Hosted by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Community Relations Service (CRS) and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee, the forum will address the growing concern over hate crimes targeting places of worship. The event will take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. CDT at the FedEx Event Center at Shelby Farms Park, 415 Great View Dr. E., Cordova 38018. Attendance is free, but registration is required. Get more information and register online.

The TBA was recognized today with two major awards from the National Association of Bar Executives (NABE) at the annual NABE Communications Section Workshop in Raleigh, North Carolina. First, it earned a Luminary Award for “Authored Article” for Journal Editor Julia Canada Wilburn's article about former Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Sharon G. Lee’s time on the bench. “A Justice for the People,” which ran in the July/August 2023 issue of the Journal, looks at a career that took Lee from rural Tennessee to state’s highest court. The TBA also was honored with an award for its 2023 year-end CLE marketing campaign, which offered a creative appeal to lawyers to take advantage of educational opportunities in days leading up to the compliance deadline. The “What’s Your CLE Mood?” and “12 Days of Ethics” series of social media and TBA Today posts used humor and nostalgic holiday imagery to market TBA’s CLE programs. See photos from today's award ceremony.

The Tennessee Board of Law Examiners has released statistics about the state's July 2024 bar exam. According to the board, 759 individuals — 647 first time test takers and 112 repeaters — took the exam. They represent 103 different law schools and saw an overall pass rate of 72%. For first time test-takers at Tennessee law schools, Vanderbilt University Law School saw a 97% pass rate followed by Belmont University College of Law at 94.8%, the University of Tennessee College of Law at 91%, University of Memphis School of Law at 78.7%, Nashville School of Law at 70% and Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law at 64.2%. See all statistical information released by the board.

The Community Legal Center (CLC) in Memphis will host an estate planning clinic at City View Towers, 256 S. Camilla St., Memphis 38104, on Oct. 28 at 11 a.m. CDT to help seniors with wills, powers of attorney and more. Attorneys and licensed notaries are needed to volunteer. Contact Melissa Hamilton at melissah@clcmemphis.org or (901) 543-3395 x209 for more information.

The TBA was recognized today with two major awards from the National Association of Bar Executives (NABE) at the annual NABE Communications Section Workshop in Raleigh, North Carolina. First, it earned a Luminary Award for “Authored Article” for Journal Editor Julia Canada Wilburn's article about former Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Sharon G. Lee’s time on the bench. “A Justice for the People,” which ran in the July/August 2023 issue of the Journal, looks at a career that took Lee from rural Tennessee to state’s highest court. The TBA also was honored with an award for its 2023 year-end CLE marketing campaign, which offered a creative appeal to lawyers to take advantage of educational opportunities in days leading up to the compliance deadline. The “What’s Your CLE Mood?” and “12 Days of Ethics” series of social media and TBA Today posts used humor and nostalgic holiday imagery to market TBA’s CLE programs. See photos from today's award ceremony.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) has made progress in shortening the delays in laboratory testing of sexual assault evidence, according to a new audit by the state’s comptroller. The Tennessee Lookout reports that the turnaround has been reduced to 10 weeks. Two years ago, the bureau reported turnaround times of up to 45 weeks, delays that hindered criminal prosecutions and deferred justice for survivors. TBI Director David Rausch told a committee of lawmakers reviewing the report that the agency had hired 49 additional scientists — with another in the hiring process — to help speed up forensic testing. It also outsourced 908 kits to a private lab in Florida last year. This year, the bureau has contracted with the lab to test another 192 kits.

A new law sponsored by state Sen. Ken Yager, R-Kingston, and Rep. Ed Butler, R-Rickman, strengthens penalties for indecent exposure by inmates in correctional facilities from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony. The new law aims to protect prison staff by cracking down on misconduct by inmates and reduce the number of incidents. At the time of its passage, Yager said, “Indecent exposure has no place in our correctional facilities, and unfortunately, this misconduct has become an increasing method for inmates to abuse and harass correctional staff.” Since the law went into effect July 1, the Tennessee Department of Corrections has identified 109 inmates across the state who could be charged under the new law. It will be up to local district attorneys to decide whether to charge and prosecute these cases, the LaFollette Press reports.

TBA's annual Hot Topics in Real Estate seminar, presented in partnership with the Tennessee Land Title Association, will be held virtually on Nov. 8 from 9 a.m to 4:15 p.m. CST. Topics will include powers of attorney, the new FINCEN rules, AI and the annual case law and legislative updates. Participants include Al Frazier with Fidelity National Financial Title Group, Ryan Martinez with Alliant National Title Insurance, Dr. Susan Tanner with the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law, and Charles Welch Jr. with Phelps Dunbar. Real Estate Section members enjoy discounted registration fees. Not a member of the section? Join here.