An article in yesterday’s issue of TBA Today indicated that the new law firm of Herzfeld, Suetholz, Gastel, Leniski and Wall (HSGLaW) will assume work on opioid litigation previously handled by Branstetter, Stranch & Jennings. In fact, the new firm will take over responsibility for neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) baby cases. Branstetter, Stranch & Jennings, which is rebranding as Stranch, Jennings & Garvey, will continue to handle governmental opioid work.

The American Bar Association recently released a list of lawyers across the country who achieved the distinction of ABA Free Legal Answers Pro Bono Leader in 2022. The group of 140, which includes nine lawyers in Tennessee, handled the most pro bono questions through the ABA Free Legal Answers portal. Lawyers had to answer at least 50 civil legal questions to be included. Tennessee lawyers recognized are: Kevin D Balkwill, Ethics Law PLLC; Richard B. Gossett; Bryan C. Hathorn; Samantha Lunn, Law Offices of Samantha A. Lunn; Mary Jo Middlebrooks, Middlebrooks & Gray; Bruce A. Ralston, Law Office of Bruce A. Ralston; Carl E. Seely, Divorce Incorporated; and Yasmin K. Stiggons and Brian M. Wetzstein, Husch Blackwell. Five law firms with offices in Tennessee also were recognized for answering at least 75 questions in 2022: Butler Snow, Husch Blackwell, Jackson Lewis, and Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough. See the full lists.

Registration is now open for the Legal Aid Society’s 5th Annual Breakfast of Champions set for April 5 in Nashville. The breakfast, which will run from 8-9 a.m. CDT at City Winery, is the group’s signature fundraising event. Funds raised will directly impact low-income and vulnerable communities in Middle Tennessee.

Human rights experts with the United Nations’ Independent Expert Mechanism to Advance Racial Justice and Equality in Law Enforcement (EMLER) say they have grave concerns with the death of Tyre Nichols, the Commercial Appeal reports. While acknowledging the quick arrest of the officers involved, the group said in a statement that “The horrifying footage of [the] beating is an alarming reminder of the urgent need of genuinely new approaches to traffic safety, traffic stops, and public safety more broadly." EMLER officials plan to visit the United States in April to work with government officials and stakeholders to address police brutality. Last week, Nichols’ family filed an urgent appeal asking the United Nations to condemn Nichols’ death. The Hill has more on that story.

A state House subcommittee yesterday approved a narrow exception to the Tennessee Human Life Protection Act, which took effect after the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in the Dobbs case. The amended bill, HB883, would clarify that termination of a pregnancy for the following reasons would not constitute a criminal abortion: medical emergencies, disposal of unimplanted fertilized eggs, removal of ectopic or molar pregnancies, medically futile pregnancies or lethal fetal anomalies. The state currently has no explicit exception in its abortion ban. Instead, the law allows doctors to argue that an abortion was medically necessary. The bill approved by the subcommittee would remove this “affirmative defense” language, WJHL reports.

Save the date for the 2023 Intellectual Property Forum set for April 28 in Nashville. The night before, attendees are invited to a networking reception from 5-7 p.m. CDT to kick off the program. Watch for more details about speakers, topics and pricing coming soon.

In recent weeks a new candidate has announced a bid for Nashville mayor. The Nashville Scene reports that retired business executive Jim Gingrich has thrown hit hat in the ring. The Kansas City-area native helped move Wall Street firm AllianceBernstein to Nashville in 2018. He retired in 2020. In related news, the Nashville Post today reports that two individuals thought to be considering runs have announced they are out. They are state Rep. Bob Freeman, D-Nashville, and former mayor Megan Barry.

The Tennessee Attorney General’s Office is warning consumers to be wary of romance-related scams after the Federal Trade Commission released new data that scams cost consumers $1.3 billion in 2022. Most commonly, scammers tell consumers they need money because a friend or relative is sick, hurt or in jail. The second most reported lie was that the scammer had investment advice to share. Now data shows a growing tactic of soliciting explicit photos and then threatening to share them once received unless payment is made. This new “sextortion” appears to target younger consumers, with most complaints coming from those ages 18-29. Get details on how to spot and report a scam.

The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee and the Chattanooga Chapter of the Federal Bar Association have launched the Fifth Annual Civics Essay Contest for middle and high school students. This year’s contest focuses on the question of whether race should be a factor in college admissions. The contest is open to public, private and home school students in sixth to 12th grades in 17 counties. Entries must be submitted by March 22 to Civics Essay Contest, attention Kelly L. Walsh, U.S. Courthouse, 900 Georgia Ave., Chattanooga, TN 37402 or by email to chattcivicsessay@gmail.com. Get more details from Chattanoogan.com or the court's website. For questions, contact Kelly Walsh, 423-386-3523.

Two of the Memphis police officers who attacked Tyre Nichols last month had previous allegations of misconduct levied against them. Preston Hemphill received two written reprimands while serving as police service technician. The reprimands came after incidents involving rough or careless handling of equipment and damage to a motor vehicle. The Daily Memphian reported the news after accessing personnel files from the city’s human resources department. In addition, before he joined the police force, Demetrius Haley was accused of taking part in the savage beating of a Shelby County inmate. The Associated Press reports it is not clear if Haley was disciplined or cleared of the allegation.