Bill Adams, the American Bar Association’s (ABA) managing director for accreditation and legal education since 2020, will step down from the position next spring. Adams also served as deputy director for nearly six years prior to taking his current post. In his position as managing director, he has helped steer both the 15,500-member ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar and its governing council, which serves as an independent arm of the ABA for accreditation of U.S. law schools. A nationwide search for his successor has been launched.

The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance has issued a consumer alert regarding the Chattanooga-based accounting firm Croft & Frost, which appears to have abruptly ceased operations. For more information on actions to take or filing a complaint, see this memo from the Tennessee State Board of Accountancy.

The Tennessee Supreme Court Access to Justice Commission is kicking off the Rights Restoration Project, a new pro bono initiative to help Tennesseans with criminal records restore their rights. A virtual informational meeting for attorneys who are interested in volunteering for the project during Celebrate Pro Bono Month will be held Sept. 26 at 2 p.m. CDT and will last approximately 30 minutes. Click here to register for the informational meeting on Zoom or see the flyer for more details.

Since the introduction of a reformed bail system in Shelby County, data reveals an increase in the average bail amounts for defendants facing violent charges when they are initially booked at the Shelby County Criminal Justice Center. However, bail amounts for non-violent offenses have decreased since the new bail hearing room opened. The changes reserve pretrial detention for individuals accused of serious, violent offenses and allows others the opportunity to secure release regardless of their financial situation. There are ongoing discussions and calls for increased transparency regarding the new bail system, with some officials and critics expressing concerns about the impact of low bail amounts on public safety. The Commercial Appeal has the story.

The U.S. has been hit by a record-breaking 23 billion-dollar disasters so far in 2023, with Tennessee suffering from 10 of them. These disasters, primarily caused by windstorms and thunderstorms, have resulted in significant damage ranging from $2 to $5 billion across the state. WPLN reports that the increase in billion-dollar disasters is part of a national trend exacerbated by climate change.

Around 200 community members and University of Memphis students participated in the 12th annual Memphis Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event yesterday, where they walked a mile in high-heeled shoes and regular footwear to raise awareness about violence against women. The march started from the University of Memphis and participants carried signs advocating against sexual assault and victim-blaming, emphasizing the need for change in men's behavior and attitudes toward women. The Daily Memphian reports that the event aimed to highlight the challenges women face and promote awareness and prevention of violence against women, with participants from various backgrounds joining in solidarity.

House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, is planning to revive a bill aimed at stiffening sentences for serious juvenile crimes in 2024. The bill, which died during a truncated special session on public safety, seeks to classify children aged 14 and older as "serious youthful offenders" for certain offenses, allowing them to be transferred to prison through age 24. Critics argue that tougher sentences may not address the root causes of juvenile crime and could exacerbate problems such as the school-to-prison pipeline. Other bills, including those related to gun storage requirements, mass violence threats and child autopsy reports, are also expected to be reintroduced in 2024. The Tennessee Lookout has a comprehensive overview.

U.S. District Judge Mark Norris is considering how to proceed with the civil lawsuit over Tyre Nichols' death and which parties should be involved. The civil suit involves five officers accused of killing Nichols, and they, along with other former MPD personnel, have sought a stay of the proceedings, citing fear of federal criminal charges. According to the Daily Memphian, attorneys for Nichols' mother, RowVaughn Wells, and the city of Memphis agree that the case should proceed in a manner that would allow the defendants to avoid self-incrimination. They also agree the civil case will largely focus on the city's practices and its role in Nichols' death.

Chattanooga attorney and Immediate Past TBA YLD President Brittany Faith has been appointed to the advisory committee of the American Bar Association’s Commission on Immigration by ABA President Mary Smith. The Advisory Committee provides counsel to the Commission in its efforts to ensure fair treatment and full due process rights for immigrants and refugees within the United States, develop and implement immigration-related policy for the ABA and advocate for changes in the law when necessary.

Sullivan County commissioners want to give a raise to uniformed officers in the sheriff's office, but are still working out what the budget impact would be and how big a raise they can fund, The Kingsport Times News report. The commission's Budget Committee has given its OK to a $1,045,000 budget for the department, but Michael Kennedy, finance director for the sheriff’s office, says the amount approved would not fund the $3 per hour raise that Sheriff Jeff Cassidy has proposed. Kennedy calculates the department would need $1.68 million to fund raises for 270 officers over an entire year. Commissioners will continue work on the budget next week.