Mike Fletcher, Memphis' deputy chief legal officer, will retire at the end of 2024, reports the Daily Memphian. Fletcher has been in his position since 2017 and has represented the city in court and other legal matters for a total of 33 years, both in private practice and from City Hall. Odell Horton Jr. has been appointed to fill the vacancy. Horton most recently served as general counsel for Memphis Shelby County Schools. He previously worked as vice president and general counsel for Memphis Light, Gas and Water, and was vice chancellor for university relations at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.

Vanderbilt University quarterback Diego Pavia has filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee against the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA). The suit claims rules that count junior college years toward NCAA eligibility are an antitrust violation, and that he should have at least one more year of eligibility in 2025 — and potentially two. Pavia, who played two years at New Mexico Military Institute before moving on to New Mexico State for two years and then Vanderbilt this year, argues in the complaint that the rule restricts the name, image and likeness (NIL) earning ability of college athletes. The Associated Press has the story.

The Tennessee Supreme Court has extended a limited disaster plan for all the trial courts in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Judicial Districts following severe flooding that occurred in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Deadlines for filings, statutes of limitation and certain court orders that were extended through Nov. 12 are now extended through Dec. 25. Read the full order.

Nashville lawyer John Edward Anderson Sr. died Oct. 29 at age 63. He graduated from the University of Tennessee and received his law degree from Washington and Lee University School of Law. Anderson later served as a member of the University of Tennessee (UT) Board of Governors and the Davidson County UT Alumni Association Board of Directors. Anderson practiced law with the Nashville firm of Dickinson Wright. Visitation will be held at St. Henry Catholic Church, 6401 Harding Pk., Nashville 37205, on Nov. 15 from 9-11 a.m. CST, followed by a funeral mass at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association or a charity of the donor's choice.

Produced by the TBA Women in the Profession Committee, the third annual Raising the Bar program will be held Dec. 4 at Baker Donelson's Nashville offices. Attendees will hear from a full roster of speakers and enjoy opportunities to network during breakfast and a reception after the program. This year's Raising the Bar CLE will address ways to successfully tackle personal and professional life transitions. The program will kick off with keynote speaker Megan Barry, who will discuss her new book 'It's What You Do Next: The Fall and Rise of Nashville's First Female Mayor.' The next two sessions will focus on personal and professional life transitions for attorneys and feature panelists such as Chancellor Anne Martin, former Judge Bernice Donald, former Chancellor Ellen Lyle, Casey Duhart, Paul Ney and Kisha Cheeks Rucker. The program will wrap up with a session on career development, including ways to advocate for professional advancement.

Memphis voters yesterday overwhelmingly passed three gun referendums that were on the ballot. The Daily Memphian reports that an amendment to require handgun carry permits passed with 81%, an amendment to ban assault rifles passed with 80% and an amendment to authorize red-flag laws passed with 84%. Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti in September announced that the state would not challenge inclusion of the questions on the ballot after a chancellor ruled the measures could appear. The Memphis City Council had sued the Shelby County Election Commission after it ruled the measures could not be included. In Nashville, voters passed Mayor Freddie O'Connell's transit plan — a half-percent sales tax increase with revenues supporting a 15-year program of bus, sidewalk and traffic projects — with 66% of the vote, according to the Nashville Banner. In Shelby County, two cities elected mayors. Collierville Alderman Maureen Fraser received 57% of the vote over fellow Alderman Billy Patton's 43%. In Millington, Alderman Larry Dagen defeated Shelby County Republican Party leader Cary Vaughn to become the town's next mayor, the first new mayor in 12 years. The Commercial Appeal reports on both of those races.

Candidates who passed the July 2024 Tennessee Bar Exam were admitted to the practice of law at a ceremony in Nashville this month. Representatives from the Tennessee Bar Association and its Young Lawyers Division were on hand to congratulate the new admittees. See photos from this event.

Candidates who passed the July 2024 Tennessee Bar Exam were admitted to the practice of law at a ceremony in Nashville today. Representatives from the Tennessee Bar Association and its Young Lawyers Division were on hand to congratulate the new admittees. Ceremonies continue in Jackson tomorrow and Memphis on Thursday. Watch for coverage and photos from these events coming soon in TBA Today and on social media. See photos from today's event.

Smith County recently received a $1.8 million grant to restore the Historic Smith County Courthouse. The grant comes as part of a larger allocation of $101.6 million in funding from the Department of Economic and Community Development as part of the second round of broadband and digital opportunity grants. The grant will cover the replacement of windows with energy-efficient models and the HVAC units. The first floor will be remodeled for office space and a free Wi-Fi room for citizens, including a designated area for health screenings and telehealth visits. The second floor will be revamped for county commission meetings and local business training sessions. Free Wi-Fi will be accessible on and around the courthouse grounds. The Smith County Insider has the story.