For the first time, women made up the majority of associates at U.S. law firms last year, according to National Association for Law Placement. In a major shift, new figures show that more women — 50.3% — were employed as associates at U.S. law firms than men in 2023. The number of women enrolled in U.S. law schools overtook men eight years ago, and that gap has widened over time. Nearly 56% of law students currently enrolled at American Bar Association-accredited law schools are women. The ABA Journal reports on the development. In related news, another study found that women are slightly more likely to be identified as a general counsel’s successor than men, especially at non-profits and private companies. Read more about that study from executive search firm Barker Gilmore.

Gov. Bill Lee recently announced that three more counties have been approved for FEMA’s Individual Assistance following tornadoes and severe weather in west and middle Tennessee on Dec. 9., 2023. They are: Cheatham, Gibson and Stewart counties. They join Davidson, Dickson, Montgomery and Sumner counties in the federal disaster declaration approved on Dec. 13. Individuals in the declared counties can apply for individual direct assistance through FEMA’s website, app or by phone at 800-621-3362.

The Tennessee Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection met to consider claims from clients alleging financial loss due to the illegal actions of their lawyers. The fund approved one claim against Roane County attorney Eric John Montierth in the amount of $3,500. It also directed Montierth to reimburse the fund for the expense. The Fund for Client Protection was established by the Tennessee Supreme Court to reimburse individuals for losses caused by dishonest conduct by attorneys. The fund is operated by a board, which meets quarterly to consider claims. In September 2022, the Tennessee Supreme Court amended Rule 25 to require the fund to notify the Tennessee Bar Association of claims paid. News releases also are posted online.

Davidson County lawyer Dana L. Nero was censured on Jan. 8 for failing to notify a client that she had been suspended. The Tennessee Supreme Court says that Nero was temporarily suspended from the practice of law on Oct. 7, 2022, and while suspended represented a client in Davidson County Criminal Court. Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Section 28, requires that those suspended notify all clients of the suspension within 10 days of the order. The court also found that Nero failed to give the client any papers or other property they were entitled to receive. Her actions were determined to violate Rules of Professional Conduct 3.4(c) and 8.4(g).

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti has filed an unredacted copy of a lawsuit filed in October 2023 against Meta Platforms Inc., the company formerly known as Facebook. The lawsuit alleges the company’s Instagram platform causes mental health harms to its young users. “The unredacted complaint makes clear that Meta knew its platforms were hurting kids and made a very clear decision to choose money over the mental health of its young users,” Skrmetti said of the filing.

Did you miss last year’s Entertainment & Sports Law Forum? The courses are now available online for individual purchase or as a 1-Click Package. The forum featured some of the brightest minds in the industry breaking down cutting-edge issues in the entertainment and sports industries. Topics covered included sports betting, the Copyright Claims Board, producer agreements, sampling clearance and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in production technique. The program wrapped up with best practices for maximizing attorney well-being and mental health.

Due to extreme weather, the TBA Young Lawyers Division (YLD) and Tennessee Judicial Conference will hold a Bar and Bench reception on Jan. 31 at 5:30 p.m. CST in Memphis. It was previously scheduled for Jan. 18. The event is sponsored by and will take place at Morgan and Morgan, 80 Monroe Ave., Ste. 900, Memphis 38103. The reception will kick off a series of networking events across Tennessee, offering a unique opportunity for lawyers and members of the judiciary to interact in a casual atmosphere. We look forward to seeing you there!

A Goodlettsville man has filed a complaint against two groups, claiming they failed to register as political action committees even though they made expenditures for endorsed candidates. According to the Tennessee Lookout, complaints were filed against Sumner County Constitutional Republicans and Tennessee Constitutional Republicans with Sumner County District Attorney Ray Whitley and the Tennessee Registry of Election Finance. The latter body is scheduled to review the matter at a Jan. 23 meeting.

The Tennessee Supreme Court today suspended Davidson County lawyer Kevin William Teets Jr. from the practice of law for four years, with 15 months to be served on active suspension and the remainder to be served on probation. The court conditioned probation on (1) participating in a TLAP monitoring agreement and treatment and recovery plan, (2) practicing only in a group setting with a practice monitor for 12 months, (3) paying disciplinary costs and (4) paying $55,157.50 in restitution to eight victims. The court noted that the discipline involved nine matters, including failing to provide competent representation, act with reasonable diligence, respond to the Board of Professional Responsibility, comply with a court order, withdraw from representation after suspension, and refund unearned fees. Teets also was found to have charged unreasonable fees, engaged in the unauthorized practice of law, and engaged in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice and involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation. These actions violated Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5(a), 1.16(a)(1), 5.5(a), 7.1(a), 8.1(b), 8.4(c), 8.4(d), and 8.4(g). The court also granted a request to allow certain case documents to be filed under seal.

Legal Aid of Middle Tennessee & the Cumberlands (LAS) will hold a free legal clinic from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. CST at the Southeast Branch Library, 5260 Hickory Hollow Pkwy., Ste. 201 in Antioch on Saturday. Next week, the group will hold four clinics: a disaster relief clinic in Gallatin on Tuesday, a veterans-only clinic at Operations Stand Down in Nashville on Wednesday, a clinic at Greenhouse Ministries in Murfreesboro on Thursday and the McHugh Clinic at Belmont University on Saturday. See all January clinics or volunteer to help by contacting Kendra Cheek, 615-780-7131.