The Blount County Recovery Court is seeking additional federal grant money funneled through the state, the Daily Times reports. The funds are to offset the costs the court incurs when it sends some of its participants to a residential facility in Morgan County, which offers a more intense recovery program for addicts.

The Tennessean reports an anti same-sex marriage lawsuit has been filed in Bradley County challenging the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling overturning bans on same-sex marriage. The suit, filed by attorney David Fowler, is the second case filed by the former state Senator challenging the landmark ruling. “These lawsuits have had the additional positive effect of helping an increasing number of Tennesseans begin to appreciate the important constitutional boundaries that the United States,” Fowler said.

David Harris used his time behind bars for armed robbery to conduct legal research and successfully convince an appeals court to overturn a state-imposed sentence. Now after a long and difficult journey, Harris is a Davidson and Rutherford County attorney specializing in appeals after having won approval to practice in Tennessee from the Board of Law Examiners. His story is featured in The Tennessean. “His adversity doesn’t define him. It refined him,” said Verna Wyatt, executive director of Tennessee Voices for Victims.

Aubrey Harwell of the Neal & Harwell law firm in Nashville will be honored by the T.J. Martell Foundation, which funds innovative medical research focused on finding cures for leukemia, cancer and AIDS. The Tennessean shares Harwell’s personal connection with the organization’s work through the loss of his grandmother. Harwell, along with country star Kenny Rogers and others, are honorees at the organization’s gala planned for Feb. 29.

Judge Camille R. McMullen of the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals will be the featured speaker at Middle Tennessee State University's annual Unity Luncheon on Feb. 18. The event, scheduled from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., is part of the university's observance of Black History Month. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased online before Feb. 11. Read more from the Shelbyville Times-Gazette. 

The Tennessean complied a list of 10 state officials who have resigned over the past few weeks. Rep. Jeremey Durham, who resigned as House Majority Whip, along with resignations from Davidson County Election Administrator Kent Wall and Tennessee Rehabilitative Initiative in Correction (TRICOR) CEO Patricia Weiland are included.

Formal sex abuse allegations against guards and other staff in state juvenile justice facilities have doubled, according to a study released last week by the the Justice Department’s Bureau of Justice Statistics. According to ProPublica, the report also claims that when investigations done by facility administrators confirm staff members sexually abused a juvenile, the staff members often receive no punishment beyond losing their jobs.  “We are talking about known perpetrators, adults who are typically employed in public facilities supported by our tax dollars,” said Lovisa Stannow, executive director of Just Detention International.

Live programs in The Business of Lawyering Series and other ethics credits programs are planned this month in Memphis, Chattanooga, Nashville and Knoxville. The programs offer three hours of dual credit. Sessions include managing yourself and your support staff, engaging clients, ending the client relationship ethically and using social media to advertise. Online courses are also available on accounting basics, the state Department of Revenue and popular financial issues.

Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III today announced a $470 million joint state-federal settlement with HSBC, a mortgage lender and servicer. The settlement, which includes 48 other states and the District of Columbia, requires the company to provide 2,600 Tennessee borrowers with loan modifications or other relief. It also requires HSBC to change how it services mortgage loans, handles foreclosures and ensures the accuracy of information provided in federal bankruptcy court.