Attorneys general in 25 states including Tennessee are seeking an injunction against a rule from the U.S. Department of Labor that would impact how retirement plans are invested. Under the rule, certain fund managers would be allowed to make investment decisions based on nonfinancial or nonpecuniary factors such as “Environmental, Social, and Governance,” or ESG, considerations. Read more in a press release from the AG's office.

A group of Nashville business and civic leaders asked top Republican lawmakers yesterday to back off legislation targeting the capital city, Axios reports. In a joint letter addressed to House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, and Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, 35 prominent Nashvillians said the adversarial relationship between Metro and the state "will lead to significant harm" to Nashville. Judge Sheila Calloway, attorney Charles Robert Bone, nonprofit executive Hal Cato and attorney Aubrey Harwell are among those who co-signed the letter. Read the full letter here.

The Tennessee Department of Revenue will host a free webinar on Feb. 28 at 9 a.m. CST for interested individuals to learn more about motor fuel taxes in the state. The webinar is one in a series of educational sessions held by the department each month. Learn more or register.

The University of Tennessee College of Law will host the annual Julian Blackshear Jr. Scholarship Gala on March 25. This signature event, honoring alumnus Julian Blackshear Jr. as one of the college’s first African American graduates, serves as a fundraiser for scholarships that are used to attract a talented and diverse student body. This year’s event will feature a keynote address by Harvard Law School professor David B. Wilkins, who will speak on diversity trends in the legal profession and the U.S. Supreme Court’s upcoming decision on affirmative action in higher education. The gala will take place at the Crowne Plaza, 401 W. Summit Hill Dr., Knoxville. Advance tickets are required and may be purchased here.

The U.S. Sentencing Commission will hold its third public meeting this week after the U.S. Senate in August confirmed seven new members, reinvigorating a panel that had been unable to adopt new policies since losing its quorum in early 2019. The two-day hearing, set for today and tomorrow, will cover testimony on proposed amendments to the federal sentencing guidelines for areas including compassionate release and acquitted conduct. Read more from the commission.

Legislation that would effectively ban transgender health care in the state has now passed both the House and Senate and is on its way to the governor’s desk, the Tennessean reports. The bill, HB1/SB1, passed the House today by a vote of 77-16. It had passed the Senate earlier this month. Under the legislation, doctors can be held liable for providing transgender related health care such as hormone therapy, puberty blockers and surgeries to minors. The American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee announced several weeks ago that it would challenge the legislation if it became law. Read today's statement. Also today, the House approved legislation that would prohibit "adult-oriented" entertainment from public property and restrict it to age-restricted venues. According to the Tennessean, the bill classifies "male and female impersonators" as adult cabaret performers and bans "adult-oriented performances that are harmful to minors," as defined in the state’s obscenity law. The state Senate had previously approved a slightly different version so the House-passed bill will next go to the Senate for its consideration.

The Bureau of Workers’ Compensation is accepting nominations for the Sue Ann Head Award for Excellence in Workers’ Compensation now through March 10. Each year, the bureau recognizes an individual who stands out as a leader in Tennessee’s workers’ compensation system. Professionals eligible for the award must have contributed significantly to the success, overall fairness and efficiency of the system in one or more of the following areas: as an employer or employer’s representative, employee representative, service provider, claims professional, medical provider or legal professional. Read more about the award and how to make a nomination on the bureau’s website.

Tennessee Right to Life continues to oppose legislation that would stop the “criminalization” of doctors who perform abortions to save the life of the mother despite a number of proposed changes to the bill, Tennessee Lookout reports. An amendment to the bill, negotiated with the group, changes all references to doctors making “good-faith” judgments in deciding when to terminate a pregnancy to “reasonable.” It also would remove the “medical emergency” standard as one of the conditions that would justify an abortion. Doctors, who packed the House Health Committee this week, oppose the changes saying they could increase their legal exposure. They want to return to the bill’s original language. Tennessee Right to Life says it will continue to oppose the bill even with the changes.

The TBA’s Dispute Resolution Section will hold its annual forum on May 19 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. CDT at the downtown Nashville office of Butler Snow. Make plans now to join colleagues and hear from accomplished professionals in the alternative dispute resolution (ADR) field. Sessions will be tailored to both lawyers and mediators. Watch for more details coming soon.

The Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims is expanding services to lawyers and clients in rural areas by planning regular opportunities for settlement approvals in several counties. Judges on the court will hold remote proceedings in Clarksville, Columbia, Dresden and Morristown. Read more about the expansion and the policies in place for each of these areas.