State legislators are considering a new bill that would take many lawsuits filed against the state away from Nashville judges, WPLN reports. Under Tennessee law, lawsuits against state government may only be filed in Davidson County courts. House Bill 1196/Senate Bill 454, sponsored by Rep. Johnny Garrett, R-Goodlettsville, would let Tennesseans file suits in their county of residence. Garrett, an attorney with Bone McAllester Norton in Nashville, presented the bill earlier this week, saying he became aware of the issue after his law practice was contacted by a West Tennessee resident interested in suing the state. Garrett said he “realized that [the resident's] only choice was to drive all the way to Nashville and file that lawsuit.” The measure comes after HR23, which sought to remove Chancellor Ellen Hobbs Lyle from the bench, was defeated in a House subcommittee last week. The HB1196/SB454 is currently scheduled to be heard by the House Civil Justice subcommittee next week.

A partial evacuation of the Metro Nashville Courthouse yesterday was prompted by a “suspicious” letter that criticized the city’s $2.25 million settlement of a police shooting lawsuit, the Tennessean reports. Metro Council on Tuesday approved the agreement to settle the civil lawsuit brought by the family of Daniel Hambrick, a Black man who was shot and killed by a white Metro Nashville police officer in 2018. An employee in the city’s legal department opened the letter, saying they had a “perception” that a dangerous substance was inside. Officials with the Nashville Fire Department said hazmat crews isolated two people who came into contact with the “suspicious substance,” but confirmed no dangerous substances were identified. The FBI has the letter and is conducting an investigation into its origin.

The Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority announced this week that TBA member Amber Floyd would be joining its team as general counsel. In that role, Floyd will be responsible for overseeing Airport Authority legal matters including litigation, legal advice, claims, leasing and contracts and risk management. Most recently, Floyd served as deputy city attorney for the City of Memphis. Prior to that posting, she was a senior associate at Memphis law firm Wyatt, Tarrant and Combs LLC where she worked for eight years. Floyd is also a member of the Memphis Bar Association, as well as Tennessee Supreme Court’s Access to Justice Commission. She is on the board of directors for the Ben F. Jones Chapter of the National Bar Association. Floyd is a member of the TBA Young Lawyers Division, Local Government Practice Section and chairs the TBA Committee on Racial and Ethnic Diversity. She was a member of the TBA Leadership Law Class of 2016 and now serves on the steering committee of that program.

TBA CLE will present the virtual 2021 Communications Law Forum on April 16 from 9 a.m. until noon CDT. Attendees will hear presentations on anti-SLAPP, liable defamation, the Public Records Act, a U.S. and Tennessee Supreme Court update and more. Remember, members of the Communication Law Section will receive discounted pricing on this CLE. Not a member? Sign up today.

A new episode of the TBA’s Legislative Updates podcast is now streaming on the TBA website. In this episode, TBA Director of Public Policy and Government Affairs Berkley Schwarz and Adams and Reese attorney and TBA lobbyist Brad Lampley offer listeners a brief status report on SB1366/HB0237 regarding child custody and support, concerns raised over SB1097/HB1164 on probate issues and news on  HB519/SB884, which seeks to eliminate the state’s professional privilege tax (PPT). Lampley says of the PPT bill, “we’re getting some good momentum, that’s positive, but we certainly don’t want to suggest that we’re home free.” He and Schwarz continue to urge members to reach out to their state legislators and voice their opinion on the elimination of the tax. A new episode of Legislative Updates drops every Thursday and can be found on the TBA’s Facebook page or anywhere you listen to podcasts. 

The TBA Litigation Law Ethics Forum is just around the corner. Make plans now to join colleagues on March 30 from 9 a.m. until noon CDT. The program will feature commentary and analysis of litigation and other concerns about vaccines and COVID-related issues in the workplace, a discussion on access to justice issues exacerbated by the pandemic and an examination of the tricky ethical issues that arise when mixing jurors, jury selection and social media. Members of the Litigation Section can purchase the program at a discounted price. Not a section member? Join today!

The Knoxville Bar Association will host a Faith and Justice Legal Advice Clinic April 13-15. The Faith and Justice Alliance seeks to build a coalition of faith leaders in the Knoxville area and to host legal advice clinics to give people a less intimidating environment to talk to a lawyer. This is a general advice clinic with volunteers prepared to advise on a wide variety of legal issues, including family law, landlord/tenant, bankruptcy, criminal defense, consumer protection, contract disputes, child support and personal injury, among other issues. Participants have until April 7 to register for the clinic.

After 44 years as district attorney general of the 15th Judicial District, Tommy Thompson has announced his retirement, the Tennessean reports. Thompson, 78, was considered the dean of district attorneys general in the state, according to Guy Jones, executive director of the Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference. Jason Lawson has been appointed pro tem district attorney general by Judge Brody Kane and Gov. Bill Lee is expected to appoint a district attorney general to finish out the term that will be up for election in August 2022. Thompson was first appointed to the position in 1977. The 15th Judicial District covers Wilson, Smith, Macon, Trousdale and Jackson counties.

Organize Tennessee, a nonpartisan organization dedicated to voter protection and education, will host a poll watching training on March 27 from noon to 1 p.m. CDT. The training will provide information on up-to-date election laws, common poll watching incidents and details on how to become a poll watcher. Register by signing up on Organize Tennessee’s website or registering through Zoom. For help with registration, email Executive Director Kayla Parker.

In honor of Women’s History Month, the TBA has rallied its past, current and future female presidents for a one-hour conversation on their experiences, influences and the impact women have made on the legal profession. The virtual panel will take place on March 24 from 3 to 4 p.m. CDT. TBA Executive Director Joycelyn Stevenson will moderate the panel, which will include: former TBA presidents Sarah Sheppeard, Cindy Wyrick, Jackie Dixon, Gail Ashworth, Marcy Eason and Kathryn Reed Edge; TBA Vice President Tasha Blakney; TBA President-elect Sherie Edwards; and current TBA President Michelle Greenway Sellers. Register now.