The ABA will host its Law Day 2023 Launch Program on Monday from 4-5 p.m. EST. The program — held virtually with free registration — will provide suggestions and guidance to inspire people to plan and lead their own Law Day celebrations on May 1, the national day set aside to celebrate the rule of law. This year's theme is “Cornerstones of Democracy: Civics, Civility and Collaboration.” Register for the launch program and access Law Day resources online.

A story in yesterday's TBA Today contained incorrect information about the death of Lisa Edwards of Knoxville. According to the Knoxville News Sentinel, Edwards became unresponsive in the back of a police cruiser and was taken back to Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center, where she died of a stroke the next day.

The March/April issue of the Tennessee Bar Journal is available online! This issue celebrates women in the legal profession with a cover story by Jackie B. Dixon and Psonya C. Hackett on mothers and daughters who practice law, a look at the work of and survey results from the Women in the Profession Committee by Sherie L. Edwards, and the tale of the first Native American woman lawyer by Russell Fowler. Lisa Gill makes the case for why the state legislature should adopt the Tennessee Domestic Relations Arbitration Act (TDRAA), and Buddy Stockwell shares TLAP's exciting news! Also enjoy three book reviews and stories of judges who "adopt, don't shop" their furry family members.

The family of Lisa Edwards, a Knoxville woman who died following arrest in early February, plans to sue, possibly against the Knoxville Police Department (KPD) and the hospitals that treated Edwards. The Knoxville News Sentinel reports that the family is working to gather as much information as possible about what happened during her medical emergency and eventual death. Edwards was arrested Feb. 5 outside Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center, where she had been treated. Hospital security staff called police when Edwards declined to move off the property after she was discharged. The family maintains that Edwards was physically disabled and unable to use her left side due to a 2019 stroke. Officers struggled to get Edwards into a police van and then into the backseat of a cruiser, where she later became unresponsive. She was taken back to the medical center where the Knox County District Attorney's office said Edwards died of a stroke the next day. The DA's office says none of the officers who handled her arrest will face criminal charges.

The Supreme Court’s conservative justices cast doubt on President Biden’s student debt forgiveness plan during oral arguments today in a pair of challenges to the administration’s relief program. In the first case, Biden v. Nebraska, a majority of the justices appeared skeptical that Congress gave clear enough authorization for the Biden administration to forgive billions of dollars in student debt. But conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett joined the court’s three liberals in questioning whether a group of Republican-led states had legal standing to challenge Biden’s plan. The Hill as the full story.

Voting begins tomorrow in the 2023 TBA election. Two candidates are competing for the Second District Governor position — Knoxville attorneys Ben Jones and Andrew Roskind — with voting continuing through April 1. Three candidates are competing for the two East Grand Division Governor positions — Brittany Thomas Faith and David McDowell from Chattanooga and Deborah Yeomans-Barton from Johnson City. Access to the electronic ballot will be sent from the email address TBA.Election@intelliscanvotes.com. Please check your spam filters if you do not receive a ballot notification. Please feel free to reach out to elections@tnbar.org if you have any questions or concerns.

Attorneys general from 36 states, including Tennessee, have written Congressional leaders of their concern with the National Human Trafficking Hotline. Polaris has operated the National Human Trafficking Hotline since 2007 with funding authorized by Congress. The letter says that Polaris only forwards tips to state law enforcement about adult victims in limited circumstances. This practice is contrary to what Polaris advertises, to what states and organizations have come to expect from this partnership, and, the attorneys general believe, to what Congress expects from its funding. 

Tennessee Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton said he plans to introduce legislation that would do away with federal funding for the state’s education system, WATE in Knoxville reports. The state receives $1.8 billion in funding from the U.S. Department of Education. The federal money covers many programs within the school systems. “This helps those who are most in need, the low socio-economic students, our students that need it for special ed,” says Tanya T. Coats, President of the Tennessee Education Association. Speaker Sexton said that Tennessee would replace those funds with state tax dollars, citing $3.2 billion in new spending outlined in Gov. Lee’s recent budget proposal as evidence that the state could cover the difference.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee said Monday he intends to sign an anti-drag show bill into law when it reaches his desk, the first time he has publicly taken a position on the legislation. The Tennessean reports that the legislation (SB 03/HB 09) bans “adult-oriented entertainment” that is “harmful to minors” from public property and places where it might be seen by children. The law specifically mentions “go-go dancers, exotic dancers, strippers” and “male or female impersonators” — the latter of which includes drag performers. Opponents have argued that laws are already in place to prevent public obscenity and that the bill's broad language will have a chilling effect on artistic performance and depictions of gender nonconformity.

Legislation designed to let physicians determine when an abortion is needed to save the life of a mother has been put on hold while its sponsor, State Sen. Richard Briggs, R-Knoxville, tries to shore up support before presenting it to the Judiciary Committee, The Tennessee Lookout reports. The bill, Senate Bill 745, was to be heard this afternoon. Judiciary Chairman Todd Gardenhire, R-Chattanooga, recently told the Lookout he would prefer to see current law stay in effect for at least a year to see how it works. Lt. Gov. Randy McNally and Gov. Bill Lee also have said they prefer to keep the “trigger” law in effect.