Those interested in running for an elected office in the Tennessee Bar Association or as a TBA Delegate in the American Bar Association have until Feb. 15 to qualify for the 2023 ballot. To qualify, candidates must file a nominating petition with the executive director of the TBA by emailing barED@tnbar.org, or via mail at 3310 West End Avenue, Suite 590, Nashville, 37203. Because of limitations brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, scanned signatures can be collected and submitted electronically.

Those interested in a seat on the TBA House of Delegates must file a declaration of candidacy that includes their name, principal place of law practice, district of interest and contact information. This can be submitted with the executive director of the TBA via email at barED@tnbar.org. The TBA’s website has more information on the election process and a list of available positions.

Farrar & Bates LLP is seeking an associate attorney with two to five years of litigation experience. Applicants must have strong research and writing skills. The associate will be responsible for handling their own cases, including drafting pleadings and motions, attending depositions, preparing for and attending court hearings, and preparing for and attending mediations. Visit TBA's JobLink platform for more information and to apply.

The TBA's Federal Practice Section, in conjunction with the Nashville chapter of the Federal Bar Association and Waller Landsen Dortch & Davis, hosted a reception following the conclusion of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeal’s oral arguments in Nashville on Tuesday. See photos from the event.

Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti has published an opinion stating that the disposal of fertilized human embryos that haven’t been transferred to a woman’s uterus does not violate the state’s Human Life Protection Act and isn’t punishable as a “criminal abortion,” the Tennessee Lookout reports. The opinion goes on to clarify that the state’s new abortion law only applies when a woman is physically pregnant, which could indicate a shift for some in the legislature who believe life begins at conception. The article also notes that some state senators are considering filing legislation in the new year to change the Human Life Protection Act to potentially separate medical emergencies dealing with pregnancies from “elective” abortions. Such a move could enable doctors to treat women without facing the dilemma of being presumed guilty for performing an abortion or violating their oath to meet a standard of care for patients.

The American Bar Association Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility released a formal opinion today that provides practical guidance to lawyers operating in an email world, cautioning them to generally refrain from including their clients when sending emails to opposing lawyers. Formal Opinion 503 explores communications and the scope of ABA Model Rule 4.2, which is commonly called the “no-contact” or “anticontact” rule and has been part of the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct since its inception in 1983. The new formal opinion would not tag opposing lawyers with a violation of Rule 4.2 if they respond to a group email or text sent by the opposing counsel with a “reply all” even if that communication includes the opposing counsel’s client.

Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands is hosting a free Family Law Clinic on Saturday, Nov. 5 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at 1660 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge, TN 37830. Attorneys will offer free legal advice about orders of protection, getting a divorce, custody and child support, adoptions and domestic violence. If you need legal advice for any of the legal issues listed above, attend the clinic. Registration is not required. (Important: This clinic will only be for legal advice. The attorneys at the clinic will not be providing intakes or taking on any new clients.)

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti today announced the national Anti-Robocall Litigation Task Force is enforcing investigations into two voice service providers over alleged involvement in illegal robocalls. The targets of the investigation are Michael Lansky LLC — doing business as Avid Telecom — and One Eye LLC. The national task force is enforcing civil investigative demands (CIDs) against each entity. Fifty-one attorneys general participate in the national task force, which Indiana co-leads with North Carolina and Ohio. Read the full press release here.

The Associated Press reports that some Tennessee voters have cast ballots in the wrong congressional district. Davidson County Election Administrator Jeff Roberts says that at least one precinct has been affected. In that precinct, there is conflicting information between the legislature’s and the secretary of state’s maps, leading to some residents casting their ballots in the 6th district when they should be in the 7th district. Republican Congressman Mark Green is running against Democrat Odessa Kelly for that seat. During the redistricting process a few months ago, Republicans split the city of Nashville into three new districts.

The November/December issue of the Tennessee Bar Journal is live online and will arrive in mailboxes this week! Our cover story from Josh Mullen and Clare Magee lays out strategies for what to do if you've lost a bid on a government contract and want to appeal. Samuel Gowin tells the interesting and sad story of Grandison Grandberry and the Heirs Property Act, and Clint Kelly walks readers through the three types of notice for tortfeasors in health care liability. Our columnists cover a wide range of topics in this issue, and you can catch up on legal news, passages and licensure and discipline updates in The Legal Life. Finally, we say farewell to Executive Director Joycelyn Stevenson.

The Associated Press reports that Albuquerque Cosper Head, a Tennessee man who dragged Capitol Police Officer Michael Fanone into a mob of rioters on Jan. 6, 2021, was sentenced on Thursday to more than seven years in prison. U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson sentenced Head to seven years and six months of imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release. Read the full AP report here.