Rep. Scott Cepicky, R-Culleoka, has filed a bill that would restrict the ways students can use devices like cell phones, tablets and laptops in schools. WBIR reports that the bill would require school districts across the state to pass policies prohibiting students from using devices during instructional time, though it does make a number of exceptions, such as 504 plans, an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) that specifically include devices, if a teacher grants permission, in an emergency, or if students need devices to manage their health.

The Tennessee Bar Association Academy offers an exciting opportunity for a limited number of Tennessee attorneys to be admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court. The 2025 admission ceremony will take place March 4 at the court in Washington, D.C. In addition to taking part in the private ceremony, participants will be invited to a TBA President's Reception and a special celebration dinner, and will receive three hours of prepaid credits to use for future CLE programming. The group will stay at the Hay Adams Hotel, where a block of rooms has been reserved at the discounted rate of $395 a night. The cost to register is $750 for TBA members and $450 for guests. Those interested in participating should complete this online form by Dec. 3. Applicants will be considered on a first-come basis and will be contacted to confirm interest and complete the application process.

The Tennessee Bar Association will hold its first-ever Conference on Artificial Intelligence & the Law (TCAIL) in Nashville on Dec. 6. Given the importance of learning more about this rapidly changing technological advancement and to make this innovative program accessible to all lawyers, the registration price has been reduced for the month of November to $150 for TBA members and just $100 for Law Tech and General Solo & Small Firm Section members. Non-members can attend for $350, which includes TBA membership! The special registration rate ends this weekend. Don't miss out on this opportunity! Register today. 

Hamilton County General Sessions Court Judge Tori Smith’s quest to become a judge started after watching an episode of "Saved by the Bell." "I wish so badly that I could quote some philosopher, but it was Jessie Spano," Smith says. "It was a flashback episode or a dream where she was a judge, and I just thought it sounded really cool and that’s how it started." She wanted a career that allowed her to serve her Native American community as a member of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. Her tribe established an education scholarship, which she was able to advantage of in her journey to law school. Smith was appointed to the court to fill the vacancy left by Judge Alex McVeagh, who recently was elected to the 11th Judicial District Circuit Court. Read more about Judge Smith from the Administrative Office of the Courts.

The Tennessee Bar Association (TBA) has filed comments with the Tennessee Supreme Court in response to an order soliciting comments on proposed changes to the Appellate, Civil, Criminal and Juvenile Rules of Procedure as well as the Tennessee Rules of Evidence. The TBA’s comment is limited to proposed changes in three rules: Rule 24 of the Tennessee Rules of Criminal Procedure, Rule 47.02 of the Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure and Rule 26 of the Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure. Read the full comment.

The Tennessee Department of Revenue has refunded $938 million to almost 47,000 businesses based on a change to the franchise tax law passed during the 113th General Assembly. The Nashville Post reports that the 2024 fiscal year budget had provided $1.6 billion for about 120,000 taxpayers to receive refunds due to the legislature's change to its tax on businesses, a modification that removed the provision for the tax based on the amount of property a business owned. Almost 59% of the money in the budget for the refunds has been given to approximately 39% of businesses that are eligible. The department is accepting refund claims until Dec. 2 for most taxpayers, but those in eight counties impacted by Hurricane Helene have until May 1, 2025.

Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands (LAS) was recently awarded a new $73,000 grant from the Legal Services Corporation (LSC). In an email to TBA, the LAS says it will use the grant money to evaluate its existing pro bono program, with the goal of attracting and retaining pro bono attorneys to assist in serving low-income clients in the 48 counties it serves across Middle Tennessee. The grant is for six months, with the option to apply for a longer two-year grant to implement recommendations suggested by the evaluation.

The George Barrett Social Justice Program at Vanderbilt Law School will host a book talk on Nov. 20 at 12:10 p.m. CST with Jessica Pishko on her newly released book, "The Highest Law in the Land: How the Unchecked Power of Sheriffs Threatens Democracy." Pishko is a journalist and lawyer who earned her law degree from Harvard Law School and her Master of Fine Arts degree from Columbia University. She has been reporting on the criminal legal system for a decade, with a focus on the political power of sheriffs since 2016.

The Tennessee Department of Correction (DOC) is proposing a $6.8 million increase to CoreCivic’s contract next year, raising the total payout to $244.5 million despite the company’s history of failing to meet contractual obligations and an ongoing federal civil rights investigation. Tennessee Lookout reports that CoreCivic, which runs four Tennessee prisons, has paid over $29.5 million in penalties since 2022 for issues like staffing shortages, with turnover rates reaching 146% last year. Trousdale Turner Correctional Center, a CoreCivic facility under federal scrutiny, has faced significant safety risks, including contraband smuggling and a 188% guard turnover rate.

Last week, U.S. District Judge Sean Jordan in Texas blocked a new rule from the Biden administration that would have expanded access to overtime pay to millions more salaried workers across the U.S. The Associated Press reports that the judge agreed with the state of Texas and a group of business organizations that the Department of Labor (DOL) exceeded its authority when it finalized the new rule earlier this year, ruling that the department could not prioritize employee wages over job duties when determining eligibility. The rule would have increased the threshold at which employers are required to pay overtime to salaried workers from $43,888 a year to $58,656 a year, marking the biggest increase in decades. Jordan had temporarily blocked the rule in June.