Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, today showed little interest in pushing a controversial bill forward that would ban transgender student athletes from competing under the gender they identify with, the Tennessean reports. McNally said he believes allowing transgender female athletes to compete in girls’ sports could “hurt” female sports, but that lawmakers should “move with caution” on the issue. The legislation would effectively ban student participation in school sports under the gender identity they align with, arguing that it’s unfair for student athletes to compete with one another if they do not share the same biological sex. McNally cautioned that the federal government could potentially cut funding to the state over the decision and that lawmakers should “move very carefully.”

A fund has been created by the friends and family of longtime Chattanooga prosecutor Stan Lanzo to honor his life and commitment to those children less fortunate. The Stan Lanzo Christmas Fund will provide Christmas presents to the Chattanooga area foster children with a particular emphasis on older children. Lanzo died on Feb. 4 after a battle with Parkinson’s disease. Those who wish to contribute to the fund may do so online or by mailing contributions to Stan Lanzo Christmas Fund, Chattanooga Bar Foundation, 801 Broad St., Suite 420, Chattanooga, TN 37402.

Jackson attorney Michael Jayson Cash died on Feb. 2. He was 57. Cash earned his law degree from Nashville School of Law in 2003. He served as the co-owner of D&C Equipment and practiced law for 19 years. He was a member of the Madison County Bar Association and the Jackson Rotary Club, where he was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow. Services were held for Cash last week at Ridgecrest Cemetery. If desired, friends may make memorial contributions to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; The Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905; or the charity of choice.

U.S. District Judge Eli Richardson on Monday ruled that Tennessee’s sex offender registration act shouldn’t be applied retroactively to two offenders who sued over the law, the Associated Press reports. Richardson found that parts of the law violate the Ex Post Facto Clause of the U.S. Constitution, which prevents people from being punished by a law passed after their crime was committed. He came to that conclusion after analyzing the specific circumstances of the plaintiffs, finding that parts of the law did act as a punishment to the two men. The plaintiffs claim the law has caused them to lose housing and jobs and has prevented them from spending time with their kids. Richardson’s decision was narrowly written to apply only to the two plaintiffs and he has yet to make a specific ruling as to which parts of the law should not apply to them.

The Tennessee Supreme Court today suspended Mark Steven Graham from the practice of law for three years, retroactive to March 11, 2020, the date of his temporary suspension from the practice of law. Graham represented a foreign company involved in intellectual property litigation in the U.S. The company retained an expert witness and the client sent funds to Graham for payment of the expert witness fees. Graham failed to pay the expert as agreed and used a portion of the funds to pay his outstanding attorney fees. Graham will serve one year on active suspension and the remainder on probation. He must also obtain an evaluation with the Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program, engage a Practice Monitor, pay restitution and pay the Board of Professional Responsibility’s costs and expenses and court costs.

Judson Wheeler Phillips was permanently disbarred from the practice of law by the Tennessee Supreme Court on Feb. 4. Phillips consented to permanent disbarment because he could not successfully defend himself on charges alleged in pending disciplinary complaints. He is not eligible for reinstatement in Tennessee, and he must comply with the requirements of TSC Rule 9, Sections 28 regarding the obligations and responsibilities of disbarred attorneys.

The University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law Career Services Office is looking for alumni volunteers to participate in virtual mock interviews with law students and recent graduates. The interviews will take place on March 4 from 12:30 to 1 p.m. CST. Those interested should email lawcareerservices@memphis.edu.

Nashville attorney Costin Shamble has been appointed director of the Office of Conflict of Interest and Commitment Management at Vanderbilt University. In that role, she will utilize technology and web content to support and advance the university’s system for identifying and addressing conflict of interest and commitment concerns. Prior to Vanderbilt, Shamble served four years as university attorney for Austin Peay State University and 10 years as diversity compliance manager at the Tennessee Department of Conservation and Environment. She is a member of the Tennessee Bar Journal Editorial Board and of the TBA Leadership Law (TBALL) class of 2016. Read more on Shamble’s new role from Vanderbilt’s website.

Register now for the TBA Litigation Law Ethics Forum set for March 30 from 9 a.m. until noon CST. 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 TBA’s Legislative Updates podcast is back with an all-new episode for an all-new legislative session. On this week’s episode, TBA Director of Public Policy & Government Affairs Berkley Schwarz and TBA lobbyist and Adams and Reese attorney Brad Lampley talk us through what’s going on at the General Assembly, including an update on the Professional Privilege Tax, the status of two real estate bills and one adoption bill sponsored by the TBA, plus a recap of Gov. Bill Lee’s State of the State address. The program is part of the TBA Podcast Network and can be found anywhere you listen to podcasts and on the TBA’s website. You can also catch the show live on the TBA’s Facebook page every Thursday.