Qualified students from throughout the United States will be able to enroll at Pace Law School at the in-state tuition rate of their home state as part of the first law school tuition matching program, Pace unveiled today. “The affordability of education has become a critical issue and this program is a unique approach to making a first-rate legal education more accessible to students across the country,” said Dean David Yassky. 

Loudon County officials are considering adding another judgeship that could be funded, in part, by an addition to the litigation tax currently charged through filing fees. In 2014, a dual position of juvenile magistrate and judicial commissioner was created to assist with the probable cause and juvenile caseload at General Sessions Court. The News Herald has more.

A person convicted of three or more DUI offenses would be prohibited from buying alcohol under a new bill introduced by Sen. Frank Nicely, R-Strawberry Plains. If passed, the Department of Safety would print “NO ALCOHOL SALES” on the license or photo ID issued to a person who has been convicted of three or more DUI’s. WATE has more.

Many Tennessee House committees routinely go behind closed doors first for unannounced "pre-meetings" where they discuss pending bills before they come up in committees and subcommittees, the Chattanooga Times Free Press reports. Advocates of open government as well as some legislators and lobbyists have questioned the process, and House Speaker Beth Harwell, R-Nashville, is now asking  House  leaders to end the practice, The Tennessean reports.

The Nashville Metro Council is asking Gov. Bill Haslam and Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate District Attorney General Glenn Funk. In a letter sent to the governor and media, the council says Funk's hiring by Wally Kirby last June allowed Funk to enroll in a "more favorable state retirement plan" and could be viewed as an abuse of public money. The letter also questions Funk's part-time work as assistant district attorney while continuing his defense attorney practice as a possible conflict with Tennessee law. Fox 17 has the story.

Join CASA Nashville volunteers and staff on March 27 to celebrate Executive Director Jane Andrews’ retirement. Andrews has served CASA for nearly a decade, doubling the size of contributions and increasing reach to serve the more than 2,000 children in need in Davidson County. The event is at 601 Woodlands St. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Tennessee Court of Appeals has affirmed a $3 million judgment against Middle Tennessee State University after its original decision in the case was reversed by the Tennessee Supreme Court. In 2011, Jim Ferguson — an ex-maintenance worker who is of Japanese-American ancestry — sued MTSU for disparate treatment, malicious harassment and retaliation, alleging he was given work that exceeded doctor's orders after he filed a discrimination complaint. The Nashville Post has more (subcription required).

Writing about “Clones on the Court,” Yale constitutional law professor Akhil Reed Amar says it’s a mistake that the Supreme Court today has justices with nearly identical resumes. According to Amar, the Supreme Court works best when the justices can bring different perspectives on difficult legal issues. None of the current justices has ever served in the Cabinet or been elected to any prominent legislative or executive city, state or federal position. More than 30 organizations last year wrote a letter urging senators to consider professional diversity when considering judicial candidates. Gavel Grab has more.

Oklahoma officials released their investigation into the botched execution of death row prisoner Clayton Lockett who was declared dead of a heat attack more than an hour after being strapped to the gurney. Lawyers for other inmates have challenged the death penalty drug protocol, and the Supreme Court will hear the case this spring, focusing specifically on one of the drugs, midazolam, that is meant to cause unconsciousness. Although Lockett's execution is not squarely in front of the Court, several justices expressed concerns with midazolam in court papers. WCYB has more from CNN.

The Tennessee House of Representatives has approved a bill that would prevent people from being sued if they break into a car to rescue an overheated animal, Nashville Public Radio reports. Sponsored by Rep. David Hawk, R-Greenville, House Bill 537, builds on a law that went into effect last year that protects Good Samaritans who act to help children left in hot cars.