Gov. Bill Lee announced yesterday that more than 40 independent schools, pending approval, will immediately make seats available to students enrolled in the state’s Education Savings Account (ESA) program. The Davidson County Chancery Court last week lifted an injunction on the program after it was upheld by the state Supreme Court in May. According to the Tennessean, an education department representative swore in court documents that it needed 36 business days for a successful rollout, but will now only get 18. Metro Nashville and Memphis-Shelby County public schools released statements expressing concern about the “rush to implement” the program and argued it will “divert funds away from Memphis and Nashville schools.” Lawyers for families who oppose the program on Tuesday signaled their intent in a court filing to request a new injunction as the case against the ESA program continues to be litigated.

Memphis law firm Darrell Castle & Associates PLLC is now accepting resumes for an attorney experienced in personal injury, who is interested in managing all aspects of personal injury for the firm, preferably including vehicle accidents, workers compensation, Social Security Disability and more. Two years of experience and experience in taking a case to jury verdict is preferred. Resumes and a letter of intent can be sent to Hire@darrellcastle.com or you may reach Darrell Castle directly at 901-327-2100 between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. CDT Monday through Friday. Read more about this job posting and others like it on the TBA’s JobLink page.

The TBA Young Lawyers Division, Legal Aid of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands and Legal Aid of East Tennessee will host a virtual name change clinic on Aug. 20 and are in need of volunteers. A one-hour training will be provided from 9 to 10 a.m. CDT, immediately followed by the clinic from 10 a.m. to noon CDT. Volunteers will help members of the public fill out a name change petition, give advice about representing themselves in the filing and give them information on next steps. Malpractice insurance will be provided through Legal Aid. Register online to volunteer or contact Alix Rogers with questions.

Hit the slopes in beautiful Snowmass, Colorado, while earning CLE credit! The TBA’s 36th Annual CLE Ski program will take place on Jan. 21-26, 2023. This special event combines 15 hours of quality CLE on a variety of practice areas and topics with the beautiful slopes of one of Colorado's premier ski resorts as its setting. Attendees will stay at the Stonebridge Inn, just 10 miles southwest of Aspen. Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more information on topics and speakers.

Meet TBA Assistant Executive Director Barry Kolar! Barry is the glue that holds the TBA’s Communications Team together, and he also assists in the management of all TBA staff. Additionally, Barry oversees the TBA’s website, the TBA Today daily newsletter and SO much more! He spent much of his career working in journalism and has a master’s in political science from the University of Tennessee. Barry is a world traveler and loves working with Sister Cities of Nashville, where he enjoys making one-on-one connections with people in other countries. He says that experience “really lets you see how much we all have in common.”

The #TeamTBA series offers members a behind-the-scenes look at the inner workings of the TBA and how each staff members makes the association run. Check back every Wednesday for a new staff profile in TBA Today and on the TBA's Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts. 

The Tennessee Bar Foundation recently installed Knoxville attorney Angelia Nystrom as its 41st chair during its annual membership meeting. Nystrom was first elected to the board in 2015 as East Tennessee trustee. She has also served as secretary and was a member of the committee responsible for creating the “Tennessee Legal Initiatives Fund,” which has granted $3,300,000 to law-related, new initiatives across the state. Nystrom is the executive director of Specialty Programs for Institutional Advancement for the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture. She will chair the foundation through June 2023. Read the release from the Tennessee Bar Foundation.

Attorney Amber Griffin Shaw has been appointed to serve as attorney for the Town of Atoka – a Tipton County city of more than 10,000 residents. Shaw is managing partner of the Covington office of Harris Shelton Hanover Walsh. “I am looking forward to assisting Atoka as it continues to plan for more people to relocate, a variety of new improvements, and the development of standards that will provide a desirable place to live and work for many years to come,” Shaw said. Shaw has previously been named Tipton County Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Woman of the Year and Memphis Area Legal Services Pro Bono Attorney of the Year. She is a TBA member and a 2015 graduate of the TBA Leadership Law program. Read more from Harris Shelton.

State Rep. Torrey Harris, D-Memphis, was arrested in Nashville on Sunday for alleged theft and assault, the Daily Memphian reports. According to a police report, Harris had an argument with ex-boyfriend Terence Nealy and scratched Nealy’s arm while trying to prevent the man from leaving a Nashville apartment. The report then states that Harris left with a dog, a video game console, a MacBook Air and other items. Harris was charged with felony theft between $1,000 and $2,500 and misdemeanor assault and is scheduled to appear in court Oct. 10. In a Twitter statement, Harris maintained his innocence and expressed confidence the issue would be resolved easily. He encouraged people with mental illness to get help. Harris is running in the Aug. 4 Democratic primary for the District 91 House seat after the District 90 seat was eliminated in redistricting.

Memphis attorney Muriel Malone Nolen has been selected as the next executive director of the Tennessee Human Rights Commission (THRC), the Commercial Appeal reports. Nolen is a former Shelby County assistant district attorney general and joined THRC in April 2021 as the agency’s deputy director before taking on the role of interim executive director in February. Additionally, Nolen has worked for Memphis Area Legal Services, Hamilton County District Attorney’s Office and Southwest Tennessee Community College. She currently serves on the Board of Crime Stoppers of Memphis and Shelby County and the executive board of the Ben F. Jones-National Bar Association and is the immediate past regional director of The National Black Prosecutors Association.

Attorneys from Memphis law firm Petkoff and Feigelson PLLC have joined Evans Petree PC. Attorneys James L. Cresswell Jr., David I. Feigelson and Logan A. Klauss joined the firm on July 1 and will continue to represent their clients in the areas of aviation, trucking and general casualty. Evans Petree President Joe Getz said Petkoff and Feigelson are “national leaders in aviation law and commercial transportation and are a great addition to our litigation team.” Petkoff and Feigelson was founded in 1976 by George Petkoff, who died in 2020. Read the press release from Evans Petree.