The Tennessee Supreme Court and its Access to Justice Commission held a pro bono recognition event Tuesday night at Belmont University College of Law. It was the first in-person recognition event since the pandemic, and honored lawyers for their pro bono work in 2020, 2021 and 2022. The Pro Bono Recognition Program honors lawyers and law students who provide at least 50 hours of pro bono service during the year as an "Attorney for Justice" or "Law Student for Justice." In 2021, the court also added the category "Mediator for Justice" to increase the number of mediators providing pro bono services. At this year's event, Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Holly Kirby and Justices Jeffrey Bivins and Sarah Campbell were on hand to thank lawyers for their contributions. Belmont College of Law Dean Alberto Gonzales welcomed honorees to the law school, Tennessee Access to Justice Commission Chair and TBA Board member John Farringer congratulated honorees, and Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht gave keynote remarks. See photos from the event.

Fall out from the U.S. Supreme Court's decision on affirmative action continues with ramifications for law firms, law schools and private organizations. The American Alliance for Equal Rights has dropped its suit against Perkins Coie’s fellowship program after the law firm made changes to eligibility criteria, Reuters reports. But the group said today it would sue three other firms – Winston & Strawn, Hunton Andrews & Kurth and Adams and Reese – if they do not change their law student diversity fellowship programs. Bloomberg Law has that story. In other news, Yale and Harvard are among law schools saying they will eliminate “diversity statements” in their application processes, Law.com reports. Finally, an appeals court has blocked a venture capital fund from awarding grants to businesses run by Black women. That move reverses a lower court’s decision, according to Reuters.

The U.S. government has agreed to pay $125 million to refund users of the electronic records system PACER to resolve a class action suit alleging the judiciary overcharged those who downloaded court documents. The settlement will provide automatic reimbursements of up to $350 for anyone who used PACER from April 2010 to May 2018, Reuters reports. Anyone who paid more than $350 during that time will be able to apply to receive a pro rata share of the remaining settlement funds. The settlement resolves a 2016 lawsuit filed by three nonprofits alleging the judiciary overstepped its authority when collecting fees. A federal judge still must sign off on the deal according to Bloomberg Law.

President Joe Biden recently detailed new efforts to eliminate so-called junk fees, including a proposed Federal Trade Commission (FTC) rule that would require businesses to disclose all charges for goods and services upfront. Biden said the new rule was “the most comprehensive action” his administration has taken on hidden or confusing charges. In remarks announcing the rule, the president also said the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau soon would propose a new rule to make it easier for consumers to switch banks. Bloomberg Law has more on the story.

Congress last year required federal judges to periodically disclose their stock trading information online to boost transparency and flag any potential conflicts. Judges are complying with the mandate, but watchdogs say the judiciary has been slow to post the information in a timely manner. Court officials tell Bloomberg Law they are doing their best, but the additional workload is stretching resources. That is leading the judiciary to ask Congress for nearly $300,000 to hire more people to do the job.

Memphis lawyer Cynthia Pensoneau and former Hardeman County General Sessions Judge Steven C. Hornsby will present an experiential learning retreat Oct. 26-27 at Gray Bear Holistic Retreat Center in Hohenwald. The two-day event, “Wisdom Practices for Layers: Nature is the Best Teacher,” will focus on yoga, meditation, guided visualization and practical approaches to energy management. Learn more in this flyer or make reservations online.

Nashville-based Bass, Berry & Sims has announced the establishment of a new practice group focused on controlled substances, the Nashville Post reports. The Controlled Substances Enforcement & Diversion Group will advise Drug Enforcement Agency-registered clients, including health care providers, in their efforts to comply with drug regulations. The group will be led by Lisa Rivera, a former federal prosecutor, and Brian Irving.

Chattanooga attorney Michele Coffman announced yesterday that she is running for Hamilton County Circuit Court Judge Division III, the Chattanoogan.com reports. The seat will be vacant when Judge Marie Williams retires. Coffman has more than 23 years of experience at her law firm McColpin & Coffman PLLC. In announcing her candidacy, Coffman said, “I’ve built my career as an attorney on my three defining principles of efficiency, transparency and respect … I plan to apply those same principles” on the bench. Coffman earned her law degree from Thomas Cooley Law School.

Metro Nashville filed suit yesterday seeking to overturn recently passed legislation giving state leaders appointments on the Metropolitan Sports Authority, the board that oversees Nissan Stadium, Bridgestone Arena and other Nashville sports facilities. The Nashville Post reports that Metro Legal Director Wally Dietz said in a release that the city “cannot sit idly by and let the state deprive the Metropolitan Government and the people who live here of their rights under our Tennessee Constitution.” In passing the legislation, state leaders argued they should have a voice on the board because the state is financing $500 million in bonds for construction of a domed stadium to replace Nissan Stadium. Metro is seeking an injunction ahead of the law's effective date of Jan. 1, 2024.

Tennesseans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (TADP) and the American Baptist College Presidential Lecture Series will present “Doomed to Repeat: The Legacy of Race in Tennessee’s Death Penalty and Criminal Legal System” over a six-week period beginning this Friday. The speaker series will run from 6-7:30 p.m. CDT each Friday. The lectures will be free and open to the public, and video recordings will be available following each event. The goal of the series is to provide students and the community an opportunity to hear from legal experts and those who have been directly impacted by the death penalty. Learn more in a news release from the groups. Register for this week’s program.