A number of legal groups will hold a free virtual name change clinic via Zoom at 4:30 p.m. EDT on April 11, Chattanoogan.com reports. Pre-registration is required by April 10 by calling 423-402-4766. After the virtual clinic, clients will gather on the fifth floor of The Edney on April 16, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. EDT to sign and notarize completed documents. The clinic is sponsored by Legal Aid of East Tennessee (LAET), the Chattanooga Bar Association, the TBA Young Lawyers Division, Chattanooga Trans Liberation Collective and the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands.

A three-judge panel meeting in Nashville heard arguments on whether to issue a temporary injunction blocking the state's abortion ban for women who are suffering severe pregnancy complications or facing cases of lethal fetal conditions. The lawsuit, Blackmon v. State of Tennessee, was brought on behalf of several women by lawyers at the Center for Reproductive Rights and others. The Tennessean reports on the hearing, which was presided over by 20th Judicial District Chancellor Patricia Head Moskal, 10th Judicial District Criminal Court Judge Sandra Donaghy and 25th Judicial District Chancellor Kasey Culbreath. A recording of the proceeding is available to watch online.

U.S. Rep. John Rose, R-Cookeville, has confirmed that he is looking at a potential 2026 race for governor, The Tennessee Journal reports. “Well, it’s something I’m thinking about,” the three-term congressman and former state agriculture commissioner said after hosting a discussion with Republican state lawmakers in Nashville. Rose, who represents Tennessee's Sixth Congressional District, held the event to discuss federal and state issues. Gov. Bill Lee will be term-limited from running again when his current term expires in 2026.

Maryam Abolfazli has officially launched a campaign for Tennessee's Fifth Congressional District seat, which is currently held by Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Columbia. Abolfazli is running as a Democrat in a district that encompasses parts of Davidson and Williamson counties and southern Middle Tennessee, the Nashville Scene reports. Currently chair of the Metro Human Relations Commission, she has been active on local issues such as the recent Titans stadium deal and issues of gun safety, especially following the shooting at Nashville’s Covenant School. Ogles will face Brentwood cybersecurity expert Tom Guarente and singer-songwriter Stokes Nielson in the Republican primary. Abolfazli will run against Williamson County resident Kiran Sreepada in the Democratic primary.

Homeless advocacy group Open Table Nashville has filed an amicus brief in a U.S. Supreme Court case that could affect how cities and states address homeless encampments. The organization joins other service providers and legal advocates across the country in encouraging the Supreme Court to uphold a ruling that prevents cities from punishing people for sleeping outside when they have no access to adequate shelter. The brief comes in the case of Grants Pass v. Johnson, which involves an Oregon town seeking to enforce a ban on camping on public property. The U.S. 9th Circuit of Appeals previously ruled that such a ban violates the Eighth Amendment's prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment. The Supreme Court will hear arguments on April 22, the Nashville Post reports. In 2022, Tennessee lawmakers made camping while homeless a felony.

Bobby Harshbarger — the son of U.S. Rep. Diana Harshbarger, who represents Tennessee's First Congressional District — will run against incumbent state Sen. Jon Lundberg, R-Bristol, in the Senate District 4 Republican primary, WJHL reports. The younger Harshbarger, a pharmacist, announced his campaign this week for the seat representing Hawkins and Sullivan counties. Lundberg was elected to the Senate in 2016 and currently chairs the Senate Education Committee. He also was a state representative for 10 years. The Republican primary will be held on Aug. 1, followed by the general election on Nov. 5.

Tennessee State University (TSU) is considering suing the state over 30 years of underfunding, WSMV reports. The move comes after the federal government found that the state owes TSU $2.1 billion. Leaders argue that funds meant for the school went to predominantly white schools across the state instead. The university has been in the news recently after the state legislature voted to vacate its board of directors and Gov. Bill Lee appointed new members. The news source notes that similar lawsuits filed by other historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have been successful.

Four members of the Tennessee Democratic Party Executive Committee have filed suit against the organization seeking to strip non-elected committee members of their right to vote on party business. According to Tennessee Lookout, the law mandates that political parties have an executive committee composed of one man and one woman from each of the state’s 33 Senate districts. The Democratic Party also allows representatives from the House and Senate Democratic Caucuses, Tennessee Federation of Democratic Women, Tennessee Democratic County Chairs Association, Tennessee Young Democrats, College Democrats and High School Democrats to serve on its executive committee. The group argues there is nothing in state law that allows these ex-officio members to have voting rights. The party argues that while the law sets out the minimum number of members, it does not prohibit the addition of others.

Sessions from this year's Construction Law Forum are now available for purchase in the CLE Course Catalog. Topics covered include contracts, dispute resolution, liens, the Prompt Pay Act, ethical considerations for each of these topics and a legislative update. Check out the individual videos or purchase the convenient 1-Click CLE package. 

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 Monday. 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.