The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) is down to two sites for the planned new federal courthouse in Chattanooga, Chattanoogan.com reports. Those locations are: the TVA Building that spans Broad Street and the Hawk Hill site where the AT&T Field now stands. The 8th Street site is no longer under consideration. According to the news source, GSA anticipates a final site selection by this fall. According to WDEF, local officials are expressing opposition to the Hawk Hill site. The proposed new courthouse would encompass approximately 190,478 square feet, and include seven courtrooms, nine chambers and 40 secured parking spaces. View planning documents on the GSA website.

New law school rankings from U.S. News & World Report are out with fewer big changes than previous years, according to Reuters. Schools in the top four spots remained in the same position and there were relatively few changes among the so-called T-14 schools. Further down the list, though, there was significant movement. Catholic University’s Columbus School of Law and Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law both had the largest gain, moving up 28 positions. The University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law had the largest drop, declining 37. For Tennessee schools, Vanderbilt University Law School came in at 19 (down from 16 last year); University of Tennessee College of Law came in at 52 (down one spot from last year); Belmont University College of Law ranked 91 (up from 105 last year); University of Memphis School of Law placed at 140 (down from 125 last year); and Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law came in at 165 (up from 175 last year). See the full list for this year. Compare results to the 2023 list.

There’s more to starting a new firm than just having a great legal mind or a great team. There are many business decisions to be made, including determing the type of business entity to set up, the compensation structure for lawyers and legal assistants, and choosing a system for tracking and reporting finances. Get insights on these and other decisions that will need to be made in the Opening a Firm section of TBA’s Law Practice Management Center.

There is still time to sign up for tomorrow's Elder Law Basics program, which is designed for attorneys new to the practice, or those looking to brush up on their knowledge of this practice area. The topics will include an overview of powers of attorney, pre-admission evaluations, real estate in elder law, how clients can find and afford health care in retirement, ethics, and more. The program will take place virtually from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. CDT.

Longtime Nashville injury lawyer Bart Durham died April 9 at the age of 89, News Channel 5 reports. Durham, founder of the personal injury law firm Bart Durham Injury Law, moved to Nashville in 1969 and launched the firm in 1975. A tribute penned by Durham’s son, also a lawyer at the firm, reads in part, “Beyond being the founding force and public face of Bart Durham Injury Law, he was, at his core, a dedicated husband, father and grandfather. His tireless commitment to justice, unparalleled work ethic and boundless generosity have left an enduring impact on our family, our firm and the countless lives he touched.” Visitation will be April 16 at 10 a.m. CDT at Woodmont Christian Church, 3601 Hillsboro Pk., Nashville 37215. A celebration of life will follow at noon. Memorial donations may be made to Heart’n Soul Hospice. The Tennessean has more on Durham's career.

The Memphis Bar Association (MBA) will host its annual memorial service this Thursday, beginning at noon CDT, for members who have died over the past year. The in-person event will take place at Calvary Episcopal Church, 102 N. Second St., Memphis 38103. A reception will follow the service.

The Tennessee Bar Association and Tennessee’s American Inns of Court are accepting nominations for the 2024 Judge Pamela L. Reeves Tennessee Professionalism Award through today, April 8. The annual award is presented to a lawyer or judge whose life and practice display sterling character and unquestioned integrity, coupled with ongoing dedication to the highest standards of the rule of law and the highest standards of the legal profession in Tennessee. This year's award will be presented to a lawyer or judge residing in the West Grand Division. Nominees must be alive when nominations are submitted but they need not be an active member of an American Inn of Court or the TBA. The award will be presented at the TBA's Annual Convention, which will be held in Memphis June 12-15.

The Tennessee Supreme Court has temporarily suspended Shelby County lawyer Sheila L. Robinson-Beasley after finding that she misappropriated funds and property for her personal use, and poses a threat of substantial harm to the public. The suspension will remain in effect until dissolution or modification by the court.

Williamson County lawyer Randy Wayne "R.W." Hardison was reinstated to the practice of law today after being suspended for five years by the Tennessee Supreme Court on April 17, 2019, retroactive to a temporary suspension imposed on Aug. 29, 2017. On Oct. 12, 2023, Hardison filed a reinstatement petition and the court found it to be satisfactory.

The Tennessee Supreme Court censured Shelby County lawyer William Ray Glasgow on April 3. The court found that a lawsuit Glasgow filed on behalf of a client against a sitting judge lacked any meritorious basis in fact or law, and was done solely to advance his own interests as a candidate challenging the judge in an upcoming judicial election. The court also found that the lawsuit contained a false or reckless statement that the sitting judge had engaged in "constructive kidnapping" of a minor child with "willful and deliberate malice and intent" while presiding over a dependent and neglect proceeding. These actions violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1, 1.3, 3.1, 4.4(a)(l), 8.2(a) and 8.4(d).