House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, and Senate Speaker Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, have announced the formation of a working group to examine the possibility of the state rejecting billions of dollars in federal education funding. Rep. Debra Moody, R-Covington, and Sen. Jon Lundberg, R-Bristol, will lead the group. House members include Reps. Ronnie Glynn, D-Clarksville, Timothy Hill, R-Blountville, John Reagan, R-Oak Ridge, and William Slater, R-Gallatin. Senators joining the group are Raumesh Akbar, D-Memphis, Joey Hensley, R-Hohenwald, Bill Powers, R-Clarksville, and Dawn White, R-Murfreesboro. The state receives $1.8 billion annually from the federal government for K-12 education, the Tennessean reports.

A three-judge panel last week ruled that a new state law designed to lower the threshold needed for Nashville leaders to approve improvements to the fairgrounds speedway violates the Tennessee Constitution and cannot be enforced. The law would have allowed the city to undertake demolition at the fairgrounds with a simple majority vote while the local charter requires a supermajority, the Associated Press reports. The state argued that the new law did not specifically single out Music City, but opponents argued that no other municipality fell within the statute’s definition.

A new study by the RAND Corporation, American Bar Association and National Advisory Commission on Criminal Justice Standards and Goals recommends that caseload guidelines for public defenders be updated to reflect modern-day realities. The current guidelines, issued in 1973, recommend that public defense lawyers devote an average of 13.9 hours to felony cases and 5.2 hours to misdemeanor cases. The new National Public Defense Workload Study recommends guidelines be increased to an average of 35 hours per felony case and 22.3 hours per misdemeanor case. It also increases the average time depending on the seriousness of the case, an element that was omitted from older guidelines. The ABA Journal has more on the study.

The Tennessee Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection met recently to consider claims from clients alleging financial loss due to the illegal actions of their lawyers. The fund approved two claims against Sullivan County attorney Jason R. McLellan: one in the amount of $5,500 and one in the amount of $3,500. McLellan is required to reimburse the fund for these payments. 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 on all actions also are posted on the fund's website.

The TBA’s Animal Law Section held its Annual Forum on Friday at the Nashville Zoo. Attendees heard from experts on issues affecting veterinary clinics and topics related to pets in divorce, regulation and training of service and therapy animals, and bird law. Stephanie White with the zoo’s Behavioral Husbandry Department presented a “Meet and Greet” with two of the zoo’s residents — a python and owl — and attendees met Finn, a therapy dog for Davidson County Juvenile Court, and Luna, a service dog in training for Retrieving Independence. See pictures from the event.

The Community Legal Center (CLC) in Memphis will hold a fundraiser on Nov. 3. The CLCerveza event will take place at Grind City Brewing from 6-8 p.m. CDT. General tickets are available for $30. Client tickets can be sponsored for $20 apiece. All proceeds will go towards the CLC's work in providing legal services. Contact Austin Brown, 901-402-0509 with any questions.

The Memphis Bar Association will host a legal advice clinic for older adults age 60 years and up on Thursday. The clinic will take place from 10 a.m. to noon in Meeting Room A of the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, 3030 Poplar Ave., Memphis 38111. Topics include estate planning, elder abuse, nursing home care, social security, conservatorship, eviction prevention, rent disputes and more. Contact the MBA at 901-527-3573 for more information.

David "Breck" Breckenridge Grover died Sept. 15 after a lengthy hospital stay. A native of Knoxville, Grover graduated from The McCallie School in Chattanooga, the University of Tennessee (where he took care of the school’s mascot Smokey) and the University of Memphis School of Law. After graduating from law school, he took a job with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), before finally settling in Denver. His employment included years in the oil and gas industry and the legal community, finally retiring after 12 years in city government. Services will take place on Oct. 17 at 1 p.m. MDT at St. John’s Cathedral, 1350 N. Washington St., Denver, Colorado, 80203.A reception will follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. John’s Cathedral.

Legal Aid of Middle Tennessee & the Cumberlands will hold two legal clinics this week. On Wednesday, a legal clinic specifically for veterans will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. CDT at Operation Stand Down, 1125 12th Ave. S., Nashville 37203. On Thursday, a clinic will be held at Greenhouse Ministries, 309 South Academy St., Murfreesboro 37130 from 3-4:30 p.m. CDT. See all September clinics. To volunteer, contact Kendra Cheek, 615-780-7131.

The Tennessee Supreme Court reinstated four lawyers yesterday who had been suspended for failing to complete annual continuing legal education requirements. View the order or the full list of those suspended and reinstated online.