Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti and a coaltion of 25 states and the District of Columbia have filed an amicus brief at the U.S. Supreme Court in Gonzalez v. Google. The brief urges the high court to interpret Section 230 of the federal Communications Decency Act (1996) narrowly to ensure technology companies remain accountable to state consumer protection laws. It explains that the judicial expansion of internet “publisher” immunity under Section 230 has severely hampered their ability to remedy internet-related wrongs. The Attorney General’s Office has more on the story.  

Nashville lawyer Kenneth Roberts died on Dec. 2. He was 89. Roberts earned his law degree from Vanderbilt Law School in 1959 went on to teach and practice law for several years before pursuing politics and eventually launching his long and distinguished career in banking, business and leadership. He helped establish the Frist Art Museum in Nashville’s historic downtown post office and served as president of the museum’s Board of Trustees for more than 20 years. An article from the Tennessean credits Roberts with having championed women and people of color during his time as president of First American National Bank in the 1970s. A memorial celebration service is set for 1 p.m. CST on Dec. 10 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 3900 West End Ave. A visitation will be held at the church immediately after the service. Donations in Roberts’ memory can be made to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the Frist Art Museum or the Nashville Jazz Workshop.

Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson, R-Williamson, has sponsored a measure that would close public records in non-criminal death investigations, the Tennessee Lookout reports. Senate Bill 9 would conceal law enforcement investigative reports, 911 recordings, photographs and any other records connected to a death if law enforcement agencies determine it was not the result of a crime. The legislation comes after the suicide of country music legend Naomi Judd, whose family filed a complaint against the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office to stop the release of information from its investigation. The Tennessee Coalition for Open Government is lobbying against the bill, which it says could impose on the public’s right to critical information related to law enforcement investigations.

The TBA Book Club will hold its second discussion event on Jan. 11, 2023, from 4 to 5 p.m. CST via Zoom. Members chose Jodi Picoult’s “Small Great Things” as the group’s second quarter book selection. The novel focuses on a Black labor and delivery nurse who is assigned to a child of white supremacists. The TBA will welcome author, poet and African American literature and cultural history expert Darius Stewart to the meeting as a special guest who will provide context and insight into the book. Former TBA Executive Director Joycelyn Stevenson will lead the discussion. Register for the event here.

The Board of Judicial Conduct has suspended Madison County Judge Hugh Harvey for 30 days. Harvey was arrested in August for driving under the influence and being in possession of a firearm. According to the board's order, Harvey self-reported his arrest and, acting on advice from the Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program (TLAP), completed 60 days of in-patient treatment for alcoholism. He pled guilty to the DUI last month and the charge of possessing a handgun was dismissed. An investigative panel of the board concluded that Harvey will be suspended from Dec. 22 until Jan. 20, 2023, and must be monitored by TLAP for five years. The Administrative Office of the Courts has more.

The Memphis Bar Association has announced it will host a portrait unveiling for retired Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Janice M. Holder on Jan. 13. The event will take place at 2 p.m. CST at the Judge D’Army Bailey Courthouse, Second Floor, South Corridor, 140 Adams Avenue, Memphis. A reception will follow. Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP by Jan. 6 to info@memphisbar.org or 901-527-3573.

Applications for the TBA’s 2023 Scaling Small program are due on Dec. 15. Scaling Small Law is a three-month-long advanced program for entrepreneurial lawyers, solo practitioners and newly formed solo/small firms. This comprehensive business education and development program offers training in business planning, marketing, solo/small firm finance and budgeting, client service and experience, ethical considerations, and outsourcing and leveraging technology. To learn more, check out the syllabus and application process. The program launches on Jan. 10, 2023.

The Tennessee Department of Health is seeking to hire a data governance director in the Office of Informatics and Analytics. The position will lead the support of the Health Department's Data Governance projects, efforts and transformation and support data modernization projects throughout the department. Extensive experience with data governance models, frameworks, and principles and expertise in Institutional Review Board (IRB) composition, activities, and responsibilities is required. Preferred qualifications include at least eight years of supervisory management experience and at least four years of public health data governance experience. For instructions on how to apply, visit the TBA’s JobLink site.

Grab some popcorn and join your colleagues for a theater-style event designed to help you meet your CLE requirements before the end of the year. Live and in-person, the TBA’s Last Minute CLE Watch Party will show five dual (ethics) hours of the most popular CLE online videos on the big screen. Join the party on Dec. 29 from 10 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. CST in the auditorium of the Nashville Public Library, 615 Church St. Don’t forget to use the three prepaid CLE credits that come with your TBA membership. Not a member? Join today!

The November episode of the TBA's BarBuzz podcast is now streaming. Attorney Shellie Handelsman of Handelsman Law in Nashville joins the latest episode to give listeners a rundown of legal news from across the state, upcoming events and bar association happenings. BarBuzz is part of the TBA Podcast Network and can be found on the TBA's website or anywhere you listen to podcasts.