The U.S. House of Representatives voted yesterday to codify the right to same-sex and interracial marriages in federal law, Tennessee Lookout reports. The Respect for Marriage Act would require state governments to recognize marriages from other states regardless of the sex, race, ethnicity or national origin of those involved. The 267-157 bipartisan vote stemmed from concerns that the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision last month overturning the constitutional right to an abortion may impact other protections previously upheld by the court. Those opposed to the legislation cited Justice Samuel Alito’s pledge that nothing in the abortion decision “should be understood to cast doubt on precedents that do not concern abortion.” Supporters cited Justice Clarence Thomas’ concurring opinion that the court should reconsider cases dealing with contraceptives, same-sex marriages and private consensual sexual relationships. On Thursday, the House is expected to take up a bill that would codify the use of contraception.

In a recent ALM Mental Health and Substance Abuse Survey, 31.2% of lawyers surveyed felt they were depressed. That’s four times the depression rate of the general population. Why is this the case? The truth is, Gray Robinson writes in “Attorney at Work,” the same traits and factors that make a person a good lawyer can also cause depression. These include a sense of compassion, desire to fix problems, tendency to perfectionism and reluctance to accept failure. To balance these traits, lawyers need strategies for managing stress and maintaining good health, a supportive group of people around them, and a sense of humor.

The TBA's Committee on Racial and Ethnic Diversity presents a one-hour webcast on how solo practitioners or attorneys in small firms can expand their practice by accepting conservatorship work. Amy Bryant with the state trial court and Travenia Holden with the Holden Law Office in Lebanon will host an interview style discussion, which will include an overview of best practices for handling conservatorships. The webcast will take place Aug. 5 from noon to 1 p.m. CDT.

Federal Defender Services of Eastern Tennessee is seeking to fill three positions. The first is an assistant federal defender in Knoxville’s Capital Habeas Unit. This position represents clients who have been sentenced to death by state or federal courts in Tennessee and five other states. Five to 10 years of attorney experience or a federal clerkship is required. Prior capital habeas experience is preferred. The second opening is for an assistant federal defender in Chattanooga. Candidates should have at least three years of substantial criminal trial experience. Proficiency in Spanish is a plus. The third opening is for an executive director in Knoxville. Candidates should have extensive federal trial and appellate experience and be able to motivate, support and develop a diverse staff, and provide sound fiscal and operational management. Learn more about each of this openings on the TBA’s JobLink platform.

The Chattanooga Bar Foundation inducted four new fellows during its 2022 Fellows Luncheon last week, the Hamilton County Herald reports. Dean Clements is the managing partner at Spears, Moore, Rebman and Williams, where he represents physicians, hospitals and health care providers in medical malpractice and licensing matters. Ron Feldman focuses in the area of commercial real estate at Husch Blackwell. Jeffrey Maddux is a shareholder with Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel, where he handles commercial litigation in the education and financial services industries. Finally, Maury Nicely is an attorney with Evans Harrison Hackett, where he focuses on employment litigation and labor law. Fellows work to improve the study of law, the administration of justice, and relations between the members of the legal profession and the public.

The Tennessee Court of Workers' Compensation Claims reports that there will be no settlement approvals at any of its offices this week from Wednesday to Friday because the court’s judges will be at a judicial conference.

During its annual convention in Memphis next week, the National Bar Association will present a free showing of the Netflix documentary “CIVIL,” which features its past president Ben Crump. The showing will take place on July 26 from 3-5 p.m. CDT in Ballroom A of the Renasant Convention Center, 255 N Main St., Memphis, TN 38103. The viewing will be followed by a special question and answer time with Crump and current NBA President Carlos E. Moore.

Oregon attorney Kristin Hazelwood Huber was reinstated to the practice of law in Tennessee on July 14, retroactive to June 27. Huber had been placed on inactive status on Dec. 3, 2014. The Board of Professional Responsibility found that Huber had met the requirements for reinstatement and her petition was satisfactory.

Federal agents accused of targeting, mocking and, in some instances, brutalizing Latino workers at a Grainger County slaughterhouse claim their lives will be endangered by the public release of video from the controversial raid. Although the video is currently under seal, an investigation by Tennessee Lookout of the April 2018 raid indicates the footage appears to show a U.S. Department of Homeland Security agent putting his boot on the neck of a Latino worker and punching another Latino worker in the head without provocation. In depositions taken in the case, the agent’s colleagues allegedly agree that the actions constituted excessive force. Those who were involved in raid are now asking a federal judge to bar public release of the footage and any mention in the court record of what it depicts. They argue the information could "prejudice potential jurors, provoke retaliation and place the agents … at personal risk.”

Women are continuing to break barriers in the legal profession each day, and law school enrollment is no different, Above the Law reports. New data based on 2021 enrollment shows the number of female law students once again outpaced their male colleagues, and for the sixth year in a row, more women entered law school than did the year before. Women first outnumbered men in law school in 2016. Today they represent 55.3% of the law student population, ahead of 44.4% men and 0.31% who identified as "other." Enjuris has the full breakdown.