In honor of Help4TN month, the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) has released a new podcast episode focused on the Tennessee Justice Bus. Tune in to hear a discussion about the mobile legal law office bringing legal help to rural communities. Participants include Justice Elizabeth "Beth" D. Walker of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, Arkansas Supreme Court Justice Rhonda K. Wood, Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Jeff Bivins and Anne-Lousie Wirthlin, director of access to justice and strategic development at the AOC.

Tom Guarente, a Brentwood tech executive, has withdrawn from the Republican primary for the Fifth Congressional District, according to news reports. His decision leaves Metro Councilmember Courtney Johnston as the sole challenger to Republican U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles. Guarente said he met with Johnston and decided to support her candidacy instead "for the greater good." Guarente confirmed his decision to The Tennessee Star last Thursday. While Guarente filed official paperwork for his candidacy in February, he never formally launched a campaign. On the Democratic side, Maryam Abolfazli will now be unopposed in the race to face Ogles. Her last remaining primary opponent has withdrawn from the race, the Associated Press reports.

Don't miss the latest tax program from the TBA. "The Fundamentals of Tennessee Franchise & Excise Tax" will air as a webcast on May 2 from noon to 1 p.m. CDT. Join Jeff Foster from the Tennessee Department of Revenue, who will provide an overview of the basic legal principles of Tennessee's franchise and excise tax. The webcast will include a brief history of the tax, its importance to the state’s revenue, and an examination of the significant legal changes that have occurred in the last decade.

A list of those who passed the February 2024 Tennessee bar exam is now available. Those who meet all licensing requirements will be sworn in at events across the state during the week of June 3. The Tennessee Supreme Court released the schedule yesterday. The court will meet on June 3 at 9 a.m. in Memphis and 1:30 p.m. CDT in Jackson; June 4 at 9 a.m. EDT in Knoxville and 2 p.m. CDT in Nashville; June 5 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. CDT virtually; and June 6 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. CDT virtually.

Also, the Board of Law Examiners released statistics about the February 2024 bar exam. According to the board, 262 individuals — 108 first time test takers and 154 repeaters — took the exam. They represent 74 different law schools and saw an overall pass rate of 40.1%. For first time test-takers at Tennessee law schools, the University of Tennessee College of Law and Vanderbilt University Law School saw a 100% pass rate, followed by Belmont University College of Law at 66.7%, Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law at 40%. Nashville School of Law at 35.7% and University of Memphis School of Law at 33.3%. See all statistical information from the exam.

Montgomery County lawyer Joel David Ragland has been suspended from the practice of law after the Tennessee Supreme Court found that he misappropriated funds for his personal use and posed a threat of substantial harm to the public. Ragland is immediately precluded from accepting any new cases, and must cease representing existing clients by May 12.

The Community Legal Center (CLC), which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, has two events planned this weekend. On Saturday morning, the CLC and the Memphis City Council will co-host a free estate planning legal clinic. The event will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CDT at the Bert Ferguson Park & Community Center, 8505 Trinity Rd., Cordova 38018. View a flyer for the clinic. Then on Saturday evening, the center will hold its annual fundraising event “Celebrating Everyday People,” set for 7 p.m. at the STAX Recording Museum. Tickets are available here.

A U.S. judicial panel has endorsed a proposed rule that would, for the first time, govern federal mass torts cases. The rule, unanimously approved by the U.S. Judicial Conference's Advisory Committee on Civil Rules, aims to give judges overseeing federal multidistrict litigation (MDLs) guidance on how to conduct early case management when they are tasked with overseeing hundreds or thousands of lawsuits. Data shows that MDLs have grown significantly in recent years and comprised 71.3% of the federal civil caseload at the end of last fiscal year. The rule now goes to the Judicial Conference's Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure Meeting for further approval, Reuters reports.

State Rep. Mary Littleton, R-Dickson, chair of the House Children and Family Affairs Subcommittee, and Sen. Ed Jackson, R-Jackson, chair of the Senate Calendar Committee, are pushing legislation to create a Juvenile Justice Review Commission under the Department of Children’s Services (DCS) and the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth (TCCY) to study the state’s juvenile justice system and make legislative recommendations to the General Assembly. The bill, HB1103/SB0609, is pending in both the House and Senate Finance committees. The Post Local News has more on the proposal.

Some Nashville defense attorneys are challenging the competency of longtime Criminal Court Judge Cheryl Blackburn nearly three years after she suffered a stroke, the Nashville Banner reports. The motions, most of which have been filed under seal, reportedly question Blackburn’s ability to oversee serious criminal cases. One motion has been filed publicly. It came this week in a felony assault case. Blackburn has served on the court since 1996. She previously worked at the Davidson County District Attorney’s Office and the Tennessee Department of Mental Health. She holds a master’s degree in clinical psychology and law degree.

The American Bar Association (ABA) has launched two new task forces aimed at ensuring independence in the defense and prosecution of criminal cases. The Task Force for Public Defense Independence has been created in conjunction with the ABA Criminal Justice Section and Standing Committee on Legal Aid and Indigent Defense, as well as the National Association for Public Defense. See the full list of task force and advisory board members. The ABA also has created the Task Force for Prosecutorial Independence. Members of this group include Vanderbilt University Law School Criminal Justice Program Director Christopher Slobogin. The task force will be assisted by an advisory board composed of national leaders, including former U.S. Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales, now dean of the Belmont University College of Law, and former Tennessee and federal judge Bernice B. Donald. See the full list of advisory board members. The groups are tasked with preserving and strengthening defense and prosecutorial independence, respectively, and enhancing public understanding of how that independence is critical to the integrity of the criminal justice system.