WKRN reports the state Legislative Black Caucus and other lawmakers today called for a Department of Justice investigation into the handcuffing of students at Murfreesboro's Hobgood Elementary for allegedly not stopping a fight that happened off-campus. “The action by the police is an example of the over disciplining of children of color,” said caucus member Rep. Brenda Gilmore, D-Nashville. 

U.S. Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland praised lawyers for their work with low-income Washingtonians yesterday in his first public remarks since his nomination last month, The Associated Press reports. The appearance at the federal courthouse in Washington – where he is the chief judge of the appeals court – was part of the White House’s effort to familiarize the public with him. Garland has met with roughly 40 senators so far, but there are no signs that Republicans will allow hearings on his nomination. 

A Fitbit fitness tracker recently provided crucial evidence when data pulled from the device contradicted the claims of an alleged rape victim. A Pennsylvania woman claimed an intruder raped her in the middle of the night, but according to the affidavit, data from the Fitbit showed “she was awake and walking around the entire night prior to the incident and did not go to bed as reported." The woman was ordered to two years of probation and community service. Read more from The Wall Street Journal. 

Volkswagen is expected to compensate $5,000 to each U.S. car owner that was a sold vehicle that pollutes more than is legally allowed, USA Today reports. The deal could help the automaker avoid a trial before U.S. District Court Judge Charles R. Breyer in San Francisco. Breyer had set a deadline for today for Volkswagen to submit a plan after the automaker admitted last year that it installed “defeat devices” in certain diesel automobiles in order to pass emissions tests.

A debate over the constitutionality of injunctions that restrict alleged Memphis gang members from publicly associating with each other in court-ordered zones landed in front of Environmental Court Judge Larry Potter on Tuesday. Assistant Public Defender Barbara Sidelnik argued the injunctions are “overly broad” and violated her client's constitutional rights. Assistant District Attorney Colin Campbell said the orders are “a way for citizens to take back their communities from gangs,” The Commercial Appeal reports. Potter said he will deliberate before issuing a ruling at a later date. 

The Indigent Representation Task Force announced the first two stops on its statewide listening tour will be next week in West Tennessee. The first tour stop is planned for April 28, 3-6 p.m. in Memphis at the Criminal Justice Center Auditorium. The next day (April 29), the task force will hold a session from 3-6 p.m. in Trenton at The Chancery Building. View other scheduled tour stops and more information. 

Debra Lawrence of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission will speak on the Equal Pay Act at the 20th Annual Labor & Employment Forum on May 6 at the Bar Center in Nashville. Other topics include federal and Tennessee Law updates, hot topics in wage and hour law, and perspectives from the bench. The forum, approved for six CLE credits, is from 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Register by May 1.

The Tennessean reports Rutherford County Attorney Jim Cope resigned from his position on the Pinnacle Financial Partners board of directors after bank officials discovered an unnamed board member may have bought Avenue Financial Holdings stock after learning of merger talks. The more than 10,000 shares were purchased before the public was informed of the merger. A Pinnacle spokeswoman said she cannot confirm Cope, who has served on the board since 2006, is the unnamed member. 

TBA Executive Director Allan Ramsaur shares advice for incumbent bar leaders in the National Conference of Bar Presidents Spring 2016 Issue. “One of the key tasks for a bar president is assembling a leadership team,” Ramsaur writes. 

The Nashville firm of Sherrard & Roe is now Sherrard Roe Voigt & Harbison, adding the names of partners John Voigt and TBA President Bill Harbison to the shingle. Voigt primarily represents health care providers and provider-owned businesses. Harbison is a litigator who works primarily in the areas of corporate law, trusts and estates. Read more from the Nashville Post.