Tennessee lawmakers are considering legislation that would consider some types of violent crime — such as shooting into crowds of people — as community terrorism. A bill by Rep. G.A. Hardaway, D-Memphis, passed out of the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee last week and is set to be considered by the full committee on Wednesday, Action 5 News reports. “Terrorism, as defined on the national and international stages, is about using intimidation to instill fear in a population,” Hardaway says. He argues that indiscriminate shooting “is nothing more than an effort by criminal gangs who are terrorizing the community.” State Sen. Sara Kyle, D-Memphis, is sponsoring the Senate version of the bill.

Shelley T. Gardner has announced her candidacy for reelection as 15th Judicial District public defender, Wilson Post reports. A Wilson County native, Gardner earned her law degree from the Nashville School of Law in 2001. She joined the office in 2002, and in 2018, Gov. Bill Haslam named her public defender. Gardner’s campaign says she has handled more than 15,000 criminal cases in all five counties in the district and served as a member of the district’s Judicial Drug Court team since 2002. In other roles, Gardner serves as vice president and president-elect for the Tennessee District Public Defender’s Conference, and as a board member for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA).

Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, President Joe Biden’s nominee to replace Justice Stephen Breyer on the U.S. Supreme Court, appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee today to introduce herself and make an opening statement. She told senators that she sees Breyer as a judicial model and would “hope to carry on his spirit,” The Hill reports. Jackson once clerked for Breyer and if confirmed, would replace him when he retires this summer. Members of the committee also made opening statements but asked no questions. Questioning will begin tomorrow at 9 a.m. EDT. Watch the proceedings on the committee’s website. Photo: Associated Press

YWCAs across the country are participating in the Stand Against Racism Challenge, a virtual learning tool designed to create dedicated time and space to build more effective social justice habits, particularly those dealing with issues of race, power, privilege and leadership. The challenge will launch on April 4 and involve 21 days of activities such as reading an article, listening to a podcast or reflecting on a personal experience. The challenge is designed to help participants discover how racial and social injustice impact communities and identify ways to dismantle them. Join the challenge with the YWCA Knoxville and the Tennessee Valley or YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee.

The Department of Homeland Security is discontinuing a policy expanded under former President Donald Trump that allowed for expedited removal of individuals who were undocumented, had committed fraud or misrepresentation, or had been in the country for less than two years. In a statement to Newsweek, the agency said it conducted a thorough review and found that ending the program "was consistent with the Department's need to prioritize its limited enforcement resources.” The department estimates that some 25,000 migrants waiting in shelters south of the U.S.-Mexico border could be affected by the change.

Former state Sen. Katrina Robinson was sentenced Friday to time served and one year of supervised release after having been found guilty on two counts of wire fraud in September 2021, The Commercial Appeal reports. That means she will not serve any prison time. The supervised release will include standard conditions such as collection of DNA, police access to financial information and mental health counseling. U.S. District Judge Sheryl Lipman said several factors went into her ruling, including all the good Robinson has done in the community as a nurse during COVID-19 and founder of The Healthcare Institute. Lipman also cited the "very significant" loss that Robinson has already endured, including the loss of her position as a senator, potential loss of her nursing license and financial loss. While Robinson said she believed the sentence was appropriate, she still plans to appeal the guilty verdict.

A number of lawyers were reinstated recently after being suspended for administrative violations. Five were reinstated after completing required CLE hours: one from 2009 and four from 2021. In addition, one lawyer was reinstated after paying the 2021 professional privilege tax. Finally, 14 were reinstated after paying required fees: one who was suspended in 2015, two in 2021 and 11 in 2022. The TBA has records of all administrative suspensions and reinstatements going back to 2005. See all lists here.

Legal Aid of East Tennessee will hold a “Community Justice Pro Bono Night” on March 31 at the downtown Chattanooga Whiskey Event Hall. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with the event beginning at 6 p.m. EDT. The celebration will feature live music, food and drink, and a silent auction. Tickets are available for $45 online or at the door. Contact Pro Bono Project Managing Attorney Caitlin Torney, 865-251-4951 with any questions.

The Law School Admission Council (LSAC) is testing a program that allows prospective law school applicants to take undergraduate courses in lieu of the LSAT exam, the ABA Journal reports. LSAC says it will offer the option this fall with partner institutions Cornell College, Northeastern University and the University of Maryland at Eastern Shore. The group says it will study the results, consult with an advisory committee established to review the program, and work closely with the council of the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar. LSAC CEO Kellye Testy said the program will “focus on helping students develop and demonstrate mastery of the skills necessary for success in law school.”