More than one month after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the Roe v. Wade abortion rights case, Tennessee officials are still unclear on when the state’s anti-abortion “trigger ban” will take effect, the Associated Press reports. The ban, which would restrict abortion almost entirely, cannot be enacted until within 30 days after the Supreme Court enters a judgement on the Roe ruling. Attorney General Herbert Slatery said in June that the state could enforce the law by mid-August, but a spokesperson for the office yesterday said they were “not sure” if that timeline was still in place. State Democrats have already said they’ll introduce legislation to expand the list of exemptions under the law. Sen. Rusty Crowe, R-Johnson City, who was a co-sponsor of the 2019 trigger ban legislation, told a legislative panel last week that he’d spoken with groups who think lawmakers should “fine-tune the trigger bill somewhat to make sure that we don’t get our docs in trouble when they’re trying to follow the law.”

Tennessee experienced a slight dip in major crimes in 2021, Axios Nashville reports. The Tennesse Bureau of Investigation’s annual crime analysis found 502,706 serious crimes, like murder, arson and theft, were reported in 2021. That’s down by 1% from 2020. While overall crime fell, DUI arrests climbed by 3% to nearly 18,760 and meth offenses rose by roughly 20% to 19,726, which is higher than the two previous years. The TBI tracks crime using a large database that allows law enforcement to analyze specific details such as the time of day when more serious crimes take place.

Metro Nashville on Tuesday filed suit against the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) over more than $11 million in denied reimbursement claims stemming from the 2010 Nashville flood, the Nashville Post reports. Metro says it spent the money on repairs to the K.R. Harrington Water Treatment Facility and Metro Transit Authority facilities following the flood. Reimbursement requests for the repairs have been denied several times by FEMA. Metro claims reimbursements were denied once due to the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency failing to timely forward its appeal request on to the federal government. Another denial, Metro alleges, was due to “a typographic error.” Baker Donelson is representing Metro in the case.

Nashville attorney Daniel Horwitz, who is suing CoreCivic over the death of an inmate at Trousdale Turner Correctional Center, has been ordered by a federal magistrate judge to delete certain tweets about the private prison firm. U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffery Frensley ordered Horwitz to remove some of his tweets, including one that described CoreCivic as a “death factory,” and limit his public commentary going forward. Frensley’s order was in response to CoreCivic’s arguments that the public posts put the company’s right to a fair trial at risk. Horwitz argued his tweets amounted to constitutionally protected free speech and that he has “ethical duties and affirmative obligations” to his clients to speak publicly about the case. He also maintained that while CoreCivic has a public relations team, he is the only advocate for his deceased client. The Associated Press has the full story.

The Napier-Looby Bar Foundation will host its 16th Annual Scholarship and Awards Ceremony July 28 at the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville. The event will begin with a reception at 6 p.m. CDT and the scholarship and awards program will follow at 7 p.m. CDT. This year’s honorees include Davidson County Juvenile Court Judge Sheila Calloway, Legal Aid of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands Executive Director Darkenya Waller and YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee President and CEO Sharon Roberson. To purchase tickets or for more information on sponsorship opportunities, visit www.napierloobyfoundation.org or contact Chicoya Gallman or Simone Marshall.

Richard Manson, founder of Nashville law firm Manson Johnson Conner, has been elected to serve as 2023 board chair of the Metro Hospital Authority Board, the Nashville Post reports. Manson, who is also president of Sourcemark surgical products wholesaler, was first appointed to the board by former Mayor Megan Barry in 2017. Manson expressed his support for Nashville General Hospital in a press release. “An investment in the city hospital is important as we continue attracting corporations and individuals based on Nashville’s commitment to serving all its citizens,” Manson said.  

Gov. Bill Lee announced yesterday that more than 40 independent schools, pending approval, will immediately make seats available to students enrolled in the state’s Education Savings Account (ESA) program. The Davidson County Chancery Court last week lifted an injunction on the program after it was upheld by the state Supreme Court in May. According to the Tennessean, an education department representative swore in court documents that it needed 36 business days for a successful rollout, but will now only get 18. Metro Nashville and Memphis-Shelby County public schools released statements expressing concern about the “rush to implement” the program and argued it will “divert funds away from Memphis and Nashville schools.” Lawyers for families who oppose the program on Tuesday signaled their intent in a court filing to request a new injunction as the case against the ESA program continues to be litigated.

Memphis law firm Darrell Castle & Associates PLLC is now accepting resumes for an attorney experienced in personal injury, who is interested in managing all aspects of personal injury for the firm, preferably including vehicle accidents, workers compensation, Social Security Disability and more. Two years of experience and experience in taking a case to jury verdict is preferred. Resumes and a letter of intent can be sent to Hire@darrellcastle.com or you may reach Darrell Castle directly at 901-327-2100 between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. CDT Monday through Friday. Read more about this job posting and others like it on the TBA’s JobLink page.

The TBA Young Lawyers Division, Legal Aid of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands and Legal Aid of East Tennessee will host a virtual name change clinic on Aug. 20 and are in need of volunteers. A one-hour training will be provided from 9 to 10 a.m. CDT, immediately followed by the clinic from 10 a.m. to noon CDT. Volunteers will help members of the public fill out a name change petition, give advice about representing themselves in the filing and give them information on next steps. Malpractice insurance will be provided through Legal Aid. Register online to volunteer or contact Alix Rogers with questions.

Hit the slopes in beautiful Snowmass, Colorado, while earning CLE credit! The TBA’s 36th Annual CLE Ski program will take place on Jan. 21-26, 2023. This special event combines 15 hours of quality CLE on a variety of practice areas and topics with the beautiful slopes of one of Colorado's premier ski resorts as its setting. Attendees will stay at the Stonebridge Inn, just 10 miles southwest of Aspen. Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more information on topics and speakers.