A new study, published in the Illinois Law Review, finds that the majority of incoming law students are not able to accurately predict their grades. Reuters reports that 95% of the more than 600 surveyed students believed they would end up in the top half of the class, while more than 22% of students predicted they would be in the top 10%. Study authors surveyed incoming law students at the school about their expected class rank between 2014 and 2019, then compared those predictions with their actual rank at the end of their first year.

Tennessee residents who have felony convictions and want to vote now must obtain a pardon or have all citizenship rights restored, and show they have paid all restitution and court costs from their conviction, and are current on child support payments, according to guidance from the state coordinator of elections. The Tennessee Lookout reports that the guidance from Coordinator of Elections Mark Goins applies to people convicted in Tennessee, another state or in federal court. The policy builds upon a June 29 ruling by the Tennessee Supreme Court on the voting rights of Ernest Falls, who currently lives in Tennessee and was convicted and then granted clemency in Virginia.

The Franklin Ethics Commission has found that Alderman Gabrielle Hanson violated two provisions of the city’s ethics code and recommended that she be censured. WPLN reports that the commission found that Hanson used her position as an elected official to attempt to solicit gifts and secure privileges for the African American Heritage Society, violating sections I-805 and I-808 of the Franklin Municipal Code. The hearing stems from an email that Hanson sent in early June to Nashville International Airport (BNA) President Doug Kreulen. Hanson asked the airport to withdraw financial support from a Juneteenth festival put on by the Franklin Justice and Equity Coalition — an organization she characterized as “radical” and anti-police — or send an equal donation to the African American Heritage Society.

The TBA House of Delegates has vacancies in several of its districts. In accordance with Article 29 of the TBA Bylaws, if no candidate files a declaration of candidacy for district delegate in a district or if there is no district delegate by reason of death, declination or other cause, the officers of the House of Delegates may fill the vacancy with the term to commence at the time of appointment.

The following seats covering these counties are available: 7th Judicial District (Anderson); 9th Judicial District (Loudon, Meigs, Morgan and Roane); 14th Judicial District (Coffee); 15th Judicial District (Jackson, Macon, Smith, Trousdale and Wilson); 17th Judicial District (Bedford, Lincoln, Marshall and Moore); 20th Judicial District (Davidson); 22nd Judicial District (Giles, Lawrence, Maury and Wayne); 23rd Judicial District (Cheatham, Dickson, Houston, Humphreys and Stewart); 24th Judicial District (Benton, Carroll, Decatur, Hardin and Henry); 26th Judicial District (Chester, Henderson and Madison); 28th Judicial District (Crockett, Gibson and Haywood).

If you would like to be considered for any of these positions, please fill out this form with your interest by Aug. 11.

The Trial Court Vacancy Commission on Tuesday sent three individuals to Gov. Bill Lee for his consideration in filling a criminal court judge vacancy in the 13th judicial district, which includes Clay, Cumberland, DeKalb, Overton, Pickett, Putnam and White counties. Meeting in Crossville, the commission advanced Shawn C. Fry and Benjamin Marsee of Cookeville and Brandon S. Griffin of Sparta.

Hawkins County Commissioners will choose among three nominees to be the next county attorney at their July meeting. The Kingsport Times News reports that the replacement comes after the county’s previous attorney, Jim Philips, died unexpectedly in April. The three candidates are Allen Coup, Jefferson B. Fairchild and Crystal Jessee.

A Nashville law firm has filed a lawsuit against a landlord and tenant for their alleged responsibility in the November 2022 fentanyl overdose death of an infant. Stranch, Jennings & Garvey PLLC is representing Mickey Rose, the grandfather of Ariel Rose, a one-year-old who was exposed to a lethal dose of fentanyl while at Nashville's Highroad Transitional Housing Facility. Rose is also seeking damages under Tennessee’s Drug Dealer Liability Act (DDLA), which provides a civil remedy to persons damaged in a community as a result of illegal drug use.

Reps. Justin Jones, D-Nashville, and Justin J. Pearson, D-Memphis, raised about $2 million in their week-long absence from the state House after expulsion in March. The Tennessee Lookout reports that the removal of Jones and Pearson allowed the lawmakers to raise money during the legislative session, which is normally not permitted. Jones raised $1,079,688.86 over the first six months of the year, and Pearson raised $1,058,036.34. Part of Pearson’s total includes the roughly $52,000 he raised at the start of 2023 to win his House seat in a special election held in January. Both face Republican opponents in the Aug. 3 general election.

Shelby County Circuit Court Judge Mary Wagner on Friday ruled that Alicia Franklin will not have her civil case against the city of Memphis re-opened. Franklin said she was raped by Cleotha Abston-Henderson a year before he was charged with Eliza Fletcher's murder and kidnapping in September. The Commercial Appeal reports that Franklin's case — which alleges the Memphis Police Department did not investigate her rape despite providing the name, contact information and social media account of the man who did it — was dismissed in March this year.

The Cozza Law Group is planning an expansion to Nashville this fall. The Nashville Post reports that the firm is focused on business and entertainment law and has a presence in New York City and Pittsburgh. Firm founder Rocco Cozza is also the CEO of Alpha LPO, a legal process outsourcing provider.