November is National Disability Employment Awareness Month and Legal Innovators is out with a new podcast featuring Haley Moss, a neurodiversity expert, attorney, advocate, author and thought leader. The latest episode from “The Law in Black and White” looks at neurodiversity in the legal industry and how employers can be more inclusive.

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti announced today that a settlement with three national pharmaceutical companies — CVS, Walgreens and Walmart — and opioid manufacturer Janssen will provide $84 million to help abate the opioid crisis in Tennessee. The funds now bring Tennessee’s total payout to more than $128 million. That amount includes more than $90 million for the Tennessee Opioid Abatement Trust Fund, which is disbursed throughout the state to address the opioid crisis. Tennessee was a lead state in the negotiations that secured the funds. More than 150 counties and municipalities also are participating. Nationwide, the companies agreed to pay about $13.8 billion. Reuters has more on the overall settlement.

The 6th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals has upheld a lower court decision to strip Knoxville Police Officer Dylan Williams of immunity in a wrongful death lawsuit, Tennessee Lookout reports. The decision came in a case brought against Williams after he shot Channara Tom “Philly” Pheap in August 2019 in the parking lot of a Knoxville apartment complex. Williams argued that Pheap grabbed his taser and fired it at him. Eye witnesses said Pheap was running away when he was shot. The court said that because Pheap was unarmed and shot in the back, the situation justified removal of immunity protection.

Today was Executive Director Joycelyn Stevenson’s last day at the Tennessee Bar Association. She plans to take some time off before beginning her new position as managing shareholder of Littler’s Nashville office in December. TBA staff gathered last week to honor (and roast) Stevenson at a going away dinner. Moving forward, TBA Assistant Executive Director Barry Kolar has been named interim executive director and will serve in that capacity until a new director is hired. A search committee led by former TBA President and Knoxville lawyer Jason Long has been formed and is working to identify the association’s next leader. Those interested in learning more about the opening should contact Long at jlong@lewisthomason.com.

The TBA Environmental Law Section will host its annual forum on Dec. 2 from 10 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. CST at the Nashville office of Bass Berry & Sims. A virtual option is also available. This program offers timely information on legal issues including a brownfields update, a session that covers the scope of the recent West Virginia v. EPA decision, a panel on vapor intrusion and mitigation, and an ethics update focused on environmental topics. Do not miss this opportunity to learn from seasoned practitioners in the field!

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The November/December issue of the Tennessee Bar Journal is now online and coming to your mailbox soon. Don’t miss the article by Samuel Gowin on “The Heirs Property Act and a Farmer’s Legacy,” which explores the fate of 150 acres of farmland outside of Fayette County after the original owners both died without a will. Other columnists cover a wide range of topics and you can catch up on legal news, passages and licensure and discipline updates in The Legal Life. Finally, we say farewell to Executive Director Joycelyn Stevenson.

Vista Points Special Needs Trusts & Resource Center, a frequent sponsor of the TBA's Elder Law Forum, is out with a new podcast on "Rehab, Rehabilitation Services and Special Needs Trusts." The episode looks at examples of when special needs trusts can pay for rehabilitation services. Listen to the episode or check out all the topics in the podcast archive.