Tennessee lawmakers were quick to condemn the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, this week, Axios Nashville reports. Rep. John Ray Clemmons, D-Nashville, during a press conference Wednesday urged Gov. Bill Lee to call a special legislative session to "work together and take action on the public health crisis." He also called for a pause on gun purchases without background checks. NewsChannel 5 reports House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, rebuked the idea of a special session but, along with other Republicans, expressed interest in increasing funding for Student Resource Officers (SROs).

A recent report that found leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) helped cover up sexual abuse reports for two decades is claiming the convention acted on the advice of attorneys from a Nashville law firm, the Tennessean reports. The report, conducted by Guidepost Solutions, says Guenther, Jordan & Price advised SBC officials to ignore reports of sexual abuse, focusing only on “protecting the SBC from legal liability and not on caring for survivors or creating any plan to prevent sexual abuse within SBC churches.” Attorneys Jim Guenther and Jaime Jordan shot back at the claim saying professional standards necessitated them to "zealously protect our clients' legitimate interests." The law firm resigned from representing the SBC and its executive committee in October after 56 years, but still represents other Southern Baptist organizations, including the Tennessee Baptist Convention. Jordan wrote the Tennessean on Wednesday, saying “The advice we gave was framed and guided by decisions made by our client.”

State lawmakers have renamed a bridge on Interstate 75 that spans State Route 2/U.S. Highway 64 in Ooltewah in honor of late state Rep. Mike Carter, the Chattanoogan reports. The renaming was included in the Transportation Omnibus Bill, which Gov. Bill Lee signed off on earlier this month. The bridge will now be known as the “State Representative Mike Carter Memorial Bridge.” Bill sponsor Rep. Dan Howell, R-Cleveland, said Carter “was a dedicated, highly respected public servant, attorney, judge and state representative for House District 29.” He added that the late representative “did a lot for Tennessee and left his imprint on this body.”

Register now to join your colleagues at the 2022 TBA Annual Convention before the price increases on June 1. The in-person event is set for June 15-18 at the downtown Nashville Hilton, featuring key convention events such as the Better Right Now and Legislative Update CLE programs, Bench Bar CLE and Luncheon, Lawyers Luncheon and more. In person law school breakfasts are back for the first time since 2019 and the Thursday evening Bench/Bar social event will include dinner and a live band on the rooftop of Nashville's new Fifth & Broadway entertainment venue. The current event rate is $425 for TBA members, but will increase to $495 after June 1. Learn more and get registered here.

Morgan & Akins PLLC has an opening in its Nashville office for an attorney with general liability and/or workers’ compensation experience. Defense work preferred but not necessary.  Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience and includes a benefits package. Excellent writing and communication skills are required, as is the ability to work independently and collaborate with other attorneys. To apply for the position, please send a resume and writing sample to nakins@morganakins.com and cjackson@morganakins.com. Find more on this position and others on the TBA’s JobLink site.

Rounding out the membership team is Mindy Thomas, TBA’s Membership Director! Mindy leads the charge in finding ways to bring value to TBA memberships by keeping her finger on the pulse of statewide bar association trends and communicating with TBA members and sections and committees. As for her hobbies, Mindy admittedly enjoys cleaning her house simply because it doesn’t require emailing anyone.

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 Instagram accounts.

United States 6th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Bernice Donald on Saturday addressed 121 graduates during the University of Tennessee College of Law’s commencement and hooding ceremonies in Knoxville. “Be courageous and selfless enough to always exercise a measure of empathy and respect for those who may hold views and positions different than yours,” Donald told the students. “It is my hope that you will chart an ethical path forward, and always take the long view, knowing that the decisions you make today will influence the rest of your life.” Members of the class of 2022 performed more than 8,850 hours of pro bono services throughout their law school careers. Read more on the College of Law’s website.  

The life of retired Tennessee Appeals Court Judge Charles D. Susano Jr. was celebrated last week in Knoxville. All five members of the Tennessee Supreme Court were in attendance at Susano’s funeral mass on Tuesday, as were judges in the Eastern Section of the Court of Appeals. “He was a great partner and incredible lawyer who did an amazing job of coping with a terrible situation,” former TBA President Sarah Sheppeard said of Susano’s 1993 sleepwalking accident that left him paralyzed from the chest down.  Supreme Court Justice Sharon Lee said Susano “had a huge heart, a brilliant mind, a deep and abiding faith, and an almost endless capacity to love others.” “He was a highly respected appellate judge, yet remained humble and grateful for the opportunities he had been given,” Lee said. The Knoxville News Sentinel has more on Susano’s life.

Morgan Ortagus, a former candidate for U.S. House in Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District, has joined the team of her former opponent in the race, the Associated Press reports. Ortagus will now co-chair the National Security Advisory Committee for the campaign of GOP congressional candidate Kurt Winstead. Ortagus was removed from the ballot after the state Republican Party determined she, and two other candidates, did not meet party “bona fides.” Ortagus was the State Department spokesperson under former President Donald Trump and has recently launched a national security advocacy group.

The Tennessee Center for Estate & Elder Law PLLC in Murfreesboro is seeking to hire an attorney with at least two years of experience in estate planning and trust law. The attorney may also practice in other areas of law handled by the firm, including probate, conservatorships, elder law and transactional business and real estate law. For consideration, please send resumes and cover letters to Amy Farrar. The TBA’s JobLink webpage has more on the posting.