Join the CLE Performer Stuart Teicher for an overview of the ethical duties that are critical to all lawyers. TBA CLE’s "Turning Up the Heat: Ethical Times Are Getting Tougher" program will address issues with technology and competence and the emerging duty to look into the potential misdeeds of our employers/clients. The virtual program will air on Feb. 10 from 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. CST and is worth three hours of dual credit CLE. Register today for the program.

The TBA announced today the selection of 34 attorneys from across the state for its 2022 Leadership Law (TBALL) program. TBALL is designed to equip Tennessee lawyers with the vision, knowledge and skills necessary to serve as leaders in their profession and local communities. The class will meet for its first session in March and spend the next six months learning about leadership in the legal profession, issues in the courts, policymaking in state government and the importance of community service. The program, now in its nineteenth year, is produced by a steering committee of 12 attorneys, all former class members. Co-chairing the program are Terica Smith from the 26th Judicial District Attorney General's office in Jackson and Jeffrey Maddux of Chambliss Bahner & Stophel in Chattanooga. Meet the Class of 2022.

Members of the Registry of Election Finance panel today voted to subpoena former House Speaker Glen Casada, his former aide Cade Cothren and several others as part of a reopened audit of a political action committee, the Tennessean reports. The registry chose to reopen the audit of the Faith Family Freedom Fund PAC after the PAC's treasurer stated under oath that she opened the PAC at Cothren's request, but had no further involvement in its operations. Rep. Todd Warner, R-Chapel Hill, Rep. Charlie Baum, R-Murfreesboro, former Rep. Rick Tillis, and Casada’s longtime assistant Carol Simpson will also be subpoenaed. Members of the board emphasized the subpoenas are intended to gather information and will include any and all records, correspondence and electronic communications of all kinds by and between the subpoenaed individuals.

A House Republican plan that would divide Nashville into three congressional districts yesterday passed through that chamber's Redistricting Committee despite the objections of House Democrats, the Tennessean reports. Under the plan, Democratic U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper’s 5th Congressional District would significantly shift southwest to include south Davidson County, east Williamson county and west Wilson County, in addition to covering Lewis, Maury and Marshall counties. The plan would also move northwest Davidson County into the 7th Congressional District, represented by U.S. Rep. Mark Green, R-Clarksville. Northeast Davidson, including most of East Nashville, would slide into the 6th Congressional District represented by U.S. Rep. John Rose, R-Cookeville. The Tennessee Democratic Party said on Twitter that it is prepared to sue over the plan, saying it denies "an entire community of shared interests a voice at the national level.” The state Senate Redistricting Committee chair also advanced two maps today – one that mirrors the map advanced by House Republicans and another that helps the Senate keep its Republican supermajority. Senate Minority Leader Jeff Yarbro, D-Nashville, criticized the congressional map, but was more resigned to redrawn Senate districts.

The Tennessee Supreme Court today dismissed a lawsuit brought by a Florida resident whose husband was injured in a car crash with a Tennessee Department of Transportation truck. Steven Kampmeyer filed written notice of a claim against the State with Tennessee’s Division of Claims and Risk Management, alleging the TDOT employees were negligent. The claim was not settled and was transferred to the Tennessee Claims Commission. Kampmeyer there filed a formal complaint, which included a claim by his wife for loss of consortium. The Commission dismissed Mrs. Kampmeyer’s claim because she did not give written notice within a year of the injury and the decision was upheld by the state Court of Appeals. The decision was appealed to the state Supreme Court, which affirmed the complaint’s dismissal because Mrs. Kampmeyer’s claim was not in her husband’s original written notice. Read more from the Administrative Office of the Courts.

Dr. J. Adam Lowe, a small businessman and conservative talk radio host, has announced his bid for the Ninth District state senate seat currently held by Sen. Mike Bell, R-Riceville, the Chattanoogan reports. Bell has announced plans to retire. Lowe is a faculty member in public policy for Lynchburg, Virginia’s Liberty University and Montreat College in Asheville, North Carolina. He was previously executive director of the Cleveland State Foundation, where he helped steward the Bradley Achieves scholarship program and helped catalyze programs in workforce development. For six years, Lowe has hosted the conservative talk radio show, “Man Up America,” for Talk 101.3 FM. He was actively involved in the promotion of the “Yes On One” ballot initiative and served as a delegate to the 2016 Republican National Convention.

Tennessee Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III today announced that Navient, one of the nation’s largest student loan providers, will pay $1.85 billion to resolve allegations of deceptive practices in originating predatory student loans. According to a coalition of 39 attorneys general, Navient steered struggling students into costly long-term forbearances despite saying it would help borrowers find the most affordable income-driven repayment options. Under the terms of the settlement, Navient will cancel the remaining balance on more than $1.7 billion in subprime private student loan balances owed by approximately 66,000 borrowers nationwide. In Tennessee, $2,861,854 will be available in restitution and $47,626,335 will be available in debt relief. The state will also receive $687,456 of the settlement. Read more from the AG’s office.

The U.S. Supreme Court today blocked a Biden administration policy that would require employees at larger businesses be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus or undergo weekly testing and wear a mask, the Tennessean reports. "Although Congress has indisputably given OSHA the power to regulate occupational dangers, it has not given that agency the power to regulate public health more broadly," the court wrote. The high court let stand a second vaccine mandate for those employed at health care facilities that receive federal funding through Medicare and Medicaid. That measure will go into effect this month.

The University of Tennessee has racked up more than $1 million in legal fees for its NCAA investigation into alleged recruiting violations committed by ex-football coach Jeremy Pruitt and some on his staff, the Knoxville News Sentinel reports. The university announced in November that its internal investigation, which began in November 2020, had concluded, but failed to comment further. Based on invoices provided to the Sentinel, UT has paid the firm Bond, Schoeneck & King a total of $1,077,638. The December invoice had not yet been released. Tennessee’s statement hinted at the possibility of self-imposed sanctions, which could potentially soften the blow from the NCAA if the school is found to have violated the rules. Those penalties could be scholarship reductions or recruiting limitations.

The Veterans’ Legal Advice Clinic is a joint project of the KBA/Barristers Access to Justice Committees, Legal Aid of East Tennessee, the Knox County Public Defender’s Community Law Office, the UT College of Law, LMU- Duncan School of Law, and the local Veterans Affairs office. This is a general advice and referral clinic that requires attorney volunteers for its continued operation. The next Veterans Legal Clinic will be held in person at the Knoxville Community Law Office on Feb. 9 from noon until 2 p.m. EST. Attorneys can register online to volunteer at the clinic.