Gov. Bill Lee today issued Executive Order No. 26 suspending current law to facilitate remote notarization and witnessing of documents. The Executive Order temporarily suspends all statutes requiring a physical presence for a notary public and witness(es), under certain conditions such as real-time audio and visual communication including Skype, FaceTime, Zoom, etc., among others. With COVID-19 impacting more and more people, many have prioritized setting up wills and healthcare directives. Gov. Lee’s executive order will allow the execution of wills and other legal documents without the in-person contact that risks exposure to COVID-19. The TBA had established a Remote Notary/Witness Task Force and has been in touch with the governor’s office and the Tennessee Supreme Court on this issue. "The The TBA sincerely appreciates the governor and the Tennessee Supreme Court allowing our organization to provide input on this very important issue," TBA President Sarah Sheppeard said. "Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we have benefited from the judicial and executive branches allowing us to weigh in and provide our members’ input on critically important issues, and we sincerely appreciate that courtesy and the consideration that our input has been given.”

Vanderbilt Law School student Kevin Witenoff and University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law student David McIntyre have been selected by the American Constitution Society (ACS) as 2020 Next Generation Leaders. Only 26 law students nationwide are selected for the honor, which is awarded based on leadership qualities and engagement with ACS. Both students will receive access to quarterly trainings and career advancement calls, invitations to press and donor calls and individualized career support.

A new episode of the Tennessee Court Talk podcast from the Tennessee Supreme Court is out and it features an inside look at the state’s chancery courts. The podcast features Chancellor J.B. Cox, Chancellor Pam Fleenor, Chancellor John Rambo, Chancellor Tony Childress and Chancellor John Weaver who discuss what chancery courts are, what unique remedies they can order and what it is like to serve as a chancellor. Listen online.

Judges from the Davidson County Criminal Court and General Sessions Court have denied a blanket release of many inmates from Nashville jails, the Tennessean reports. Nashville public defenders wanted the courts to issue an order immediately releasing almost all nonviolent inmates amid the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the district attorney’s office argued that the order would “imperil public safety” and potentially violate the Victim’s Rights Amendment and pushed for the release of those whose cases have been approved by a judge. Criminal court judges agreed with the DA’s office on Wednesday and denied the motion in that court, instead ordering hearings for each of the more than 1,000 inmates. General Session judges held a hearing on the matter this morning and released an order denying the motion. One inmate and one staff member from a Davidson County Sheriff's Office facility have tested positive for COVID-19.

Attorney General Herbert Slatery today announced he has joined a bipartisan coalition  of attorneys general from 39 states and the District of Columbia to hold companies accountable for defective products in their home-state courts. The Minnesota and Montana Supreme Courts ruled that Ford Motor Company may be sued in those states for defects in Ford vehicles that led to serious accidents. Ford appealed both decisions to the U.S. Supreme Court, prompting Slatery and the other AGs to file an amicus curiae brief asking the court to uphold the decisions made in Minnesota and Montana. Read the AG’s press release for more information.

The Tennessee Justice Center (TJC) will host a “MOMentous” weeklong celebration later this month in honor of mothers and the organization’s 2020 Hall of Fame inductees. Around lunchtime during the week of April 27, TJC will share stories from Hall of Fame inductees Sadiatou Jallow, Tony Garr, Judge William J. Haynes Jr., Carol Westlake and Robert Ashford, who will be honored posthumously. As a grand finale, Bill Purcell will emcee a virtual live gathering on May 1 at noon CDT to celebrate heroic moms and those who champion them. Watch the luncheon on Facebook live or RSVP to attend the Zoom meeting.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program (TLAP) has created a resource guide to assist attorneys who might be dealing with extra stress and pressure because of the outbreak and related closures. The guide includes resources for mental health, recovery and professional needs. TLAP is free and confidential and available to provide consultation, referral, intervention and crisis counseling for lawyers, judges, bar applicants and law students who are struggling with substance abuse, stress or emotional health issues. View the guide online. You can find more on TLAP and other resources on the TBA's Health and Wellness page.

Gov. Bill Lee announced Monday that $200 million in grants will be distributed across the state to every county and city government for one-time, local expenses, AP News reports. At least $500,000 will be given to each county, and each city or municipality will receive at least $30,000. The grant money can be spent on certain tornado recovery and COVID-19 response costs, road projects, IT upgrades, capital maintenance, utility system upgrades and public safety projects. Lee’s office will begin accepting applications for the grants on April 30.

A coalition of statewide organizations are urging Gov. Bill Lee to roll back certain state laws so that local officials can meet the needs of residents during the COVID-19 outbreak, the Tennessean reports. The organizations, which include the Tennessee Justice Center, Stand Up Nashville, Memphis For All and others, wrote an open letter on Monday asking Lee to use emergency powers to suspend laws that limit localities from requiring employers to provide paid sick days and repeal anti-sanctuary cities measures to ensure immigrants feel safe getting medical treatment. The coalition argues that local governments must have “every tool in the toolbox” to meet the needs of the community during the state of emergency. The group is also looking to expand property tax freeze eligibility and to allow “inclusionary zoning” polices to make housing affordable and provide incentives for new affordable units as some cities rebuild from the March 3 tornadoes.   

Joe Christian, assistant director of the University of Tennessee College of Law’s Bettye B. Lewis Career Center, has been elected to the nominating committee of the National Association for Law Placement (NALP). During his one-year term on the committee, Christian will represent Southeast universities through his service on the 11-member nominating committee that will select the organization’s next group of leaders. Christian is the career center’s primary employer liaison, developing and maintaining relationships with employers nationwide and coordinating all student and employer functions related to formal interview opportunities. Read more on the College of Law’s website.