A former inmate is seeking $1 million in a lawsuit filed Monday in federal court against Wellpath, a for-profit medical care provider that handles medical services at the Shelby County Criminal Justice Center, the Commercial Appeal reports. Erik Honeycutt filed the Civil Rights complaint in U.S. District Court, alleging he had seizures after he was given the wrong medication to combat his non-epileptic seizure disorder. A CNN investigation last year revealed that Nashville-based Wellpath is facing dozens of lawsuits and allegations that it is responsible for as many as 70 deaths. Two former Wellpath employees in Shelby County also filed suit for wrongful termination after they raised concerns about the company’s practices.

A team of three Belmont University College of Law students took the title of regional champions last month at the American Bar Association’s National Appellate Advocacy Competition in New York. That team, made up of Eric Donica, Marisa Garcia and Joseph North, went undefeated at the competition, which included 32 moot court teams and nearly 100 individual competitors. Belmont also placed first in every category of the competition, including number one best brief and number one best oral advocate, which was awarded to Garcia. The team, coached by Belmont professor and director of advocacy Amy Moore will now advance to nationals in April. Belmont's website has the full story. 

This week on the Legislative Updates podcast, TBA Director of Public Policy and Government Affairs Berkley Schwarz and Adams and Reese attorney and TBA lobbyist Brad Lampley check in on the progress of TBA-sponsored bills, including legislation from our Business Law (SB1990/HB1886), Real Estate (SB1989/HB1885) and Adoption Law (SB1769/HB1676) sections. Legislative Updates is part of the TBA Podcast Network and can be found on the TBA’s website and anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors  (JFON) will hold its monthly Legal Clinic on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1:00pm at Hillcrest United Methodist Church, 5112 Raywood Lane, Nashville, 37211. JFON provides affordable, high-quality immigration legal services to immigrants, educates the public and faith-based communities about issues related to immigration and advocates for immigrant rights. Immigration lawyers interested in volunteering should contact JFON Legal Director Bethany Jackson.

West Tennessee Legal Services will hold its “Military Monday” legal clinic on Monday from 9 to 11 a.m. The event will take place at Starbucks, 2034 N. Highland Ave., Jackson 38305. The clinic provides general civil legal advice for U.S. veterans, military members and their families. For more information, call 800-372-8346.

The TBA’s Immigration Law Winter Forum will provide updates and trending issues in immigration and an overview of the many procedural and policy changes that have taken place during the last few years. Attendees will earn 4.5 hours of CLE. Catch this program on March 9 from 9 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. at the Tennessee Bar Center in Nashville. Find more information and get registered here. 

Nashville Chancellor Ellen Hobbs Lyle ruled this afternoon that polls in Davidson County must remain open until 8 p.m., and that five of those sites must stay open until 10 p.m. The ruling was in response to a temporary restraining order filed against Secretary of State Tre Hargett and the Davidson County Election Commission by the Democratic presidential campaigns of Joe Biden, Mike Bloomberg, Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. Polling sites did not open this morning until 8 a.m. and 21 sites in Nashville were closed due to extensive damage from a tornado early Tuesday morning, leading to long lines at “super sites.” The Tennessean has the full story and list of sites that will be open until 10 p.m.

Due to Tuesday morning’s storms in Nashville, the Family Law CLE Forum has been postponed. The TBA’s Family Law section will meet next week to decide on a new date. The Local Government Forum will move forward as scheduled on Thursday, March 5, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Tennessee Bar Center. The TBA office, which was closed today due to a power outage, will reopen tomorrow for regular hours. Follow the TBA’s Facebook, Twitter or Instagram accounts to keep up with new alerts.

Three legal clinics will take place tomorrow in Blountville and Nashville. In Blountville, Legal Aid of East Tennessee will host a General Advice Clinic from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Branch House Family Justice Center, 313 Foothills Drive. That same day, Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands will host the Downtown Nashville Free Legal Clinic from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Nashville Public Library, 615 Church Street and the Veteran’s Project from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Operation Stand Down Tennessee, 1125 12th Avenue South, Nashville.

Patti Possel of Cordova has filed papers to run as a Republican for the state House District 96 seat, representing Cordova and part of Germantown, the Daily Memphian reports. Possel, who holds an education degree from Wright State University, is currently running unopposed and will face off with Democratic state Rep. Dwayne Thompson should no other Republican join the race. Thompson beat out incumbent Steve McManus four years ago. The primary is set for August and the general election for November.