The U.S. Supreme Court has announced that it will review Mississippi’s ban on abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, a direct challenge to the standards set by Roe v. Wade, WPLN reports. Tennessee has been among several states putting more restrictions on abortions, last month telling a federal appeals court that the state’s goal is to ban abortion when a fetus might be able to feel pain. SCOTUS will hear the case this fall and a ruling could be possible in a little over a year.

The Hamilton County General Sessions Court has launched a new online dispute resolution (ODR) program offering those with unpaid medical debts a chance to avoid court and negotiate for themselves. Those with debts owed to Erlanger Baroness Hospital can register for free on the TN Med Debt website and chat with a representative from the hospital where they can discuss payment plans or adjusted pricing. Users can also request help from a Rule 31-trained mediator. Tennessee has the 10th highest rate of medical debt in the country. Ninety-three out of 95 counties in the state have medical debt above the national average and one of four Tennesseans report that their credit history has been adversely affected by medical debt. Hamilton County General Sessions Judge Alex McVeagh, who was among the team that helped launch the ODR program, said in 2019 alone, his court handled roughly 15,000 civil cases, many of them for medical debt. The program hopes to make the entire process less costly and time consuming for citizens of the state, while also helping alleviate a clogged court system. 

Former U.S. Attorney for the Western Division, Mike Dunavant, has accepted a position with the state Comptroller’s Office, the Daily Memphian reports. In his new role, Dunavant will be the chief investigative counsel for the office’s Division of Investigations. He will focus on investigating allegations of fraud, waste and abuse in government and other publicly funded entities. “My heart’s desire is in public service, and I look forward to joining the outstanding team in the Comptroller’s Office to make government work better,” Dunavant said in a statement.

The Nashville office of Rainey, Kizer, Reviere & Bell PLC is looking to hire a full time associate attorney. The position requires strong academic credentials and 2-5 years of demonstrated experience in tort and insurance litigation. Salary is commensurate with experience and includes a comprehensive benefits package. Applications may be submitted to resume@raineykizer.com and should include a cover letter, resume, class rank, specific location of desired placement and three professional references. Application materials may also be mailed to Rainey, Kizer, Reviere & Bell, ATTN: Jennifer Howell, 209 East Main Street, Jackson, TN 38301.

The TBA Criminal Justice Section will host Criminal Law Basics 2021 on July 7 from 10 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. CDT. This year’s program will focus on sentencing practices and procedures, including an intro to sentencing, alternative sentencing measures and a diverse panel of judges, prosecutors and defense lawyers discussing different perspectives on these important issues. Among those panelists is Cyntoia Brown, a juvenile offender ordered to serve life in prison for murder before ultimately being granted clemency by former Gov. Bill Haslam. Register for the program here.

Nashville businessman Quincy McKnight has announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District, the Tennessean reports. That seat is currently held by U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper and has been controlled by a Democrat for almost 150 years. McKnight, who is the CEO of a privately held payment processing company, made the announcement Thursday, touting his small business ownership and focusing much of his speech on the issue of jobs and the economy. Cooper also faces competition from fellow Democrat Odessa Kelly, who announced plans to run for the seat in April. The news comes as Cooper’s office undergoes staff changes, with the Nashville Post reporting earlier this week that longtime chief of staff, Lisa Quigley, is departing this summer.

Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III has joined 19 other state AGs in supporting an Arkansas law that would prohibit abortions on the basis of a prenatal Down Syndrome diagnosis. The coalition filed an amicus brief yesterday, arguing that the law advances at least eight compelling state interests, including that it protects the “entire class of persons with Down Syndrome from being targeted for elimination solely because of disability,” and eradicates bias against them. Read more on the Attorney General’s website.

The Tennessee Supreme Court has issued an order to further loosen COVID-19 restrictions on in-person proceedings. Masks are now optional for those coming in-person to court, the order to stay six feet apart has been reduced to three feet and courtroom capacity requirements have been lifted, effective immediately. Judicial districts and judges still have discretion to limit the number of people in a courtroom and compliance with current CDC guidelines is still encouraged. The order also states that courts not already doing so, should begin utilizing technology to avoid in-person proceedings. Read more from the Administrative Office of the Courts.

The TBA’s BarBuzz podcast is new this month with Knoxville attorney and incoming chair of the TBA Disability Law Section, Emma Drozdowski Webb. Drozdowski, the managing attorney at social security disability firm Drozdowski & Rabin PLLC, helps give listeners an overview of top legal news stories from the last month and upcoming events at the bar association. BarBuzz is part of the TBA Podcast Network and can be found online or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Bruce McMullen has been named the managing shareholder for Baker Donelson's Memphis office. McMullen has been with the firm since 2008. He served as chief legal officer for the City of Memphis from 2016 until late 2019 while simultaneously maintaining his practice. During that time, McMullen oversaw the city’s legal and logistical strategy in the removal of the Confederate statues from Memphis parks in 2017. In his role as managing shareholder, he’ll continue his current practice, which focuses on health care litigation, municipal law, tort liability, commercial litigation and class action defense.