Lawyers gathered in downtown Chattanooga today for the TBA Young Lawyers Division’s Civil Rights Walking Tour CLE. Sites toured by the group included the historic third floor courtroom in the Joel W. Solomon Federal Courthouse, the Abby Crawford Milton Suffrage statue, the Ed Johnson Memorial and the site of civil rights protests at the former Woolworth Store on Market Street. The event concluded with a discussion of the future of civil rights law. Speakers included Judge Curtis Collier, former TBA President Sam Elliott, Immediate Past YLD President Brittany Faith, and Chattanooga lawyers Michael Jones, Donna Mikel and YLD Board member Claire Tuley. Last spring, the YLD held its first Civil Rights Walking Tour in Nashville. See photos from today's event.

Nashville lawyer Tusca R. S. Alexis has announced her candidacy for the Fourth Circuit Court in Nashville. Originally from the Caribbean, Alexis earned her law degree from Drake University and moved to Nashville in 1989. She previously served in the Davidson County Public Defender’s Office and worked for the Law Office of Luvell Glanton. She opened her own firm in 2010 and launched a mediation practice in 2015. In a news release, covered by the Tennessee Tribune, Alexis says she has represented hundreds of indigent and under-privileged individuals during her 33 years of practice.

The Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals has denied an appeal by Billy Ray Turner, who was convicted in the murder of former Memphis basketball star Lorenzen Wright, Local Memphis reports. The opinion affirms the trial court’s judgement in the case, which sentenced Turner to life plus 41-years. In his appeal, Turner claimed the trial court prevented him from impeaching a witness, allowed prosecutors to ask leading questions, and allowed a “speaking objection” by the state. He also claimed that Shelby County was not the proper venue for the trial and that there was insufficient evidence for a conviction.

Knoxville Municipal Judge John Rosson held a press conference this week for his reelection campaign in the city courtroom – a move that allegedly violates the Code of Judicial Conduct. Rosson said yesterday he was not aware of any such rule, saying he “should have done more research." Rosson’s opponent, Tyler Caviness, told WBIR that the situation is about the rules and fairness. "I am not the judge, I couldn't go and hold a press conference in the city courtroom,” he said.

Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, with offices in the Nashville suburbs, has rebranded as GRSM50, becoming the first law firm to add a “numerical identifier” to its name, the ABA Journal reports. According to the firm, the new moniker is meant to emphasize its presence in all 50 states. In a release announcing the name change, the firm says it is the “first and only full-service law firm” to open offices in all states.

The Covenant School shooter's manifesto still has not been released, but the Tennessee Court of Appeals is set to hear oral arguments on Monday regarding a lower court’s decision to allow Covenant church members, school staff and parents to intervene as they try to block the writings from being released publicly. Individuals connected to the school argue that release of the writings would traumatize families and children. The National Police Association is seeking all records, emails, texts and communication about the shooter from the Metro Police Department, WCYB reports.

The State Building Commission has approved funding for selecting a designer and construction manager for renovations at the structures currently housing the Tennessee Supreme Court and former state library, the Nashville Post reports. Department of General Services Commissioner Christi Branscom told the commission that with the opening of a new state library, there is an opportunity to combine the two structures “to house more administrative offices of the court’s divisions.” Branscom said the project will preserve the historic elements of both buildings while providing a more modern and functional space. The plan includes additional office space and parking and an evaluation for a secure access corridor between the buildings.

Cleotha Abston-Henderson, the man charged with abducting and killing Memphis teacher Eliza Fletcher, will go to trial on April 8, 2024, in a separate rape case, the Commercial Appeal reports. Abston-Henderson is accused of raping Alicia Franklin about a year before Fletcher was killed. Franklin had filed a civil suit against the city of Memphis and Memphis Police Department for failing to adequately investigate the rape but the suit was dismissed earlier this year. Abston-Henderson’s new defense attorney, Juni Ganguli, has requested that jurors from Nashville be brought to Memphis for the trial, citing extensive local media coverage and public comments on social media. The Shelby County District Attorney's Office opposes that move.

Attorney and law student volunteers are needed for a Rights Restoration Project being planned by the Tennessee Supreme Court’s Access to Justice Commission (ATJ). The commission will provide a virtual training on Oct. 20 from 1-2:30 p.m. CDT focused on the rights restoration process, available forms and resources, and recent changes in the law. The training is free but registration is required. After completing the training, lawyers will be matched with a law student and a client. Cases will be worked throughout the month of November. Those who would like more information before signing up for the training may watch a recording of an informational meeting about the project (use passcode 8UW#%GnU) and follow along with this slide deck.

TBA’s 23rd Annual Health Law Primer and 35th Annual Health Law Forum make their return to Nashville in just a few weeks. The primer, which will take place on Nov. 1 from noon to 4:30 p.m. CDT at the Nashville office of Bass, Berry & Sims, will focus on introductory topics, while the forum, set for Nov. 2-3 at the Music City Center, will dig into topics such as AI, the False Claims Act, No Surprises Act, telehealth, antitrust laws, fraud and abuse, Tennessee legislative update, state case law review and ethics. Don't miss the state's premier educational event for health law practitioners!