Despite backlash from a previous weeklong closure of the Shelby County clerk office, Clerk Wanda Halbert says she will close the office for a second week later this month, likely the week of Sept. 19. "Because of the backlog of additional work outside of new and renewed license plates, as a result of downed mail services, the Offices of the Shelby County Clerk are closing ... to catch up on critically outstanding services,” Halbert's office wrote in a notice. The Commercial Appeal has more on the story.

The Biden administration recently released its finalized immigration policy on the so-called “public charge” criteria for green card applicants, part of a year-long legal battle to undo efforts of the prior administration to limit eligibility for permanent residency. Under the new 455-page rule, set to take effect Dec. 23, green card applicants will not be penalized for use of non-cash public assistance programs such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Medicaid or housing benefits. Instead, immigration officers will look at “the receipt of public cash assistance for income maintenance or long-term institutionalization at government expense” to evaluate if any individual is likely to become a “public charge,” who would then be ineligible to become a permanent resident. Roll Call looks at the new policy.

The U.S. Department of Justice is asking attorneys for former House Speaker Glen Casada to keep secret the evidence they share about him and co-defendants in advance of an October trial. In their case against Casada and his former chief of staff Cade Cothren, federal authorities say they will use documents that could contain personal identifiers such as addresses and phone numbers, private financial information, and confidential and sensitive information. According to the government’s filing, the defense is not opposed to protecting the information, Tennessee Lookout reports. Both Casada and Cothren are charged with 20 counts involving bribery, theft from programs receiving federal funds, kickbacks, conspiracy to commit money laundering and other charges. Both have entered not guilty pleas.

The Arts & Business Council's Volunteer Lawyers and Professionals for the Arts is joining the law firm of Bradley Arant Boult Cummings in providing free legal services for Black-owned small businesses and nonprofits at a clinic next Thursday. Issues to be covered include questions about business formation, corporate governance, contract review and navigating local ordinances and state regulations. Eligible businesses may receive up to one hour of assistance but must register by Monday. Clients may sign up online. To volunteer, email vlpa@abcnashville.org.

The Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands will hold a veterans clinic Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. CDT at Operation Stand Down, 1125 12th Ave. S., Nashville 37203. To volunteer for the clinic, contact Kendra Cheek, 615-780-7131. See all September clinics.

The TBA is hosting a free Zoom Roundtable later this month focused on three recent U.S. Supreme Court cases and how they impact lawyers in Tennessee. The event will take place Sept. 19 from noon to 1 p.m. CDT. Panelists will provide a practical overview of the rulings and answer questions from attendees. Registration is required by 10 a.m. CDT the morning of the event to receive the log in information. The cases to be discussed are: Kennedy v. Bremerton School District, West Virginia v. EPA, and Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. CLE credit is available for a minimal fee.

Don't miss this year's 34th Annual Health Law Forum, taking place in person Oct. 20-21 at the Music City Center in downtown Nashville. This year's program will include a keynote address by Interim Health Commissioner Dr. Morgan McDonald and sessions on fraud and abuse, current and future issues in artificial intelligence and machine-based learning, the latest on research and clinical trials, and post-Roe concerns for healthcare workers. For those interested in learning more about the health law field, the 22nd Annual Health Law Primer will take place Oct. 19 from noon to 4:30 p.m. CDT at the Nashville office of Bass, Berry & Sims. Thanks to Carnahan Group, presenting sponsor for both programs.

The Tennessee Registry of Election Finance has unanimously recommended an audit of Gary Humble's state Senate campaign to see if there was improper coordination between Humble and the nonprofit issue advocacy group Tennessee Stands, the Tennessean reports. Humble, who lost a close race to Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson, R-Franklin, in the August Republican primary, is executive director of the group. Tom Lawless, a registry board member, said Tennessee Stands may have held events and promoted Humble's campaign without disclosing that spending to the registry. Another complaint alleged the group failed to disclose who paid for a campaign mailer.

The Tennessee Court of Workers' Compensation Claims looks back at the career of Judge Deana Seymour in a recent blog post. The piece reviews some of her most notable cases and her high praise for Memphis staff attorney Rhoberta Orsland. About the lawyers appearing before the court, Seymour says she had some very good lawyers appear before her who were working through difficult issues. It’s rewarding to see how lawyers on both sides take this work so seriously, she concluded. Looking ahead, Seymour plans to sharpen her photography skills and travel. But first, she will report for jury duty!

A group representing state chief justices is urging the U.S. Supreme Court not to shield actions taken by state legislatures affecting federal elections — such as reconfiguring electoral districts and imposing voting restrictions — from the scrutiny of state courts. Reuters reports that the bipartisan Conference of Chief Justices filed the brief yesterday in a case involving a map of congressional districts drawn by the North Carolina legislature. The state's top court struck the map down, concluding that the districts were intentionally biased against Democrats. Defenders of the map argue that the U.S. Constitution gives legislatures, not state courts, authority over election rules, including the drawing of electoral districts. Yahoo News has the story.