The American Bar Association (ABA) celebrates National Women’s History Month this month, recognizing the vital contributions of women who have played pivotal roles in our nation’s history and the legal profession. This year’s theme is “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.” According to a press release from the ABA, a recent National Association of Law Placement study shows a historic shift: for the first time, women account for more than 50% of associate attorneys in law firms.

A sales tax increase across Shelby County could pay for a new jail. The Daily Memphian reports that the news outlet obtained a draft bill in which the state would give the county permission to increase the total sales tax rate to 10.75%. The tax increase, raising the local sales tax rate to 3.75% across Shelby County, would have to be approved through a referendum. The draft bill is an amendment to a caption bill being carried by Rep. John Gillespie, R-Memphis, and Sen. Paul Rose, a Republican who represents Tipton, Lauderdale and Shelby counties.

Election Day is tomorrow and across the state, voters will see signs at their polling place reminding them they must be a "bona fide" member of a political party in order to vote in that party's primary election, reports the Knoxville News Sentinel. Former Knoxville Mayor Victor Ashe, a Republican, sued the state along with Democrat Phil Lawson and the League of Women Voters of Tennessee, alleging that the signs are meant to intimidate and confuse voters. The suit claims that there is no legal mechanism to determine whether a voter has "bona fide" party credentials or not. Tennessee has open primary elections, which allow any voter to  select any ballot at the polls, including selecting different party ballots in different election years. Judge Eli Richardson dismissed the suit, writing that the plaintiffs' argument cannot be applied because they are unable to prove that the law actually confuses and suppresses voters.

A bill is moving through the Tennessee General Assembly that would remove the requirement that foster and adoptive families be vaccinated against flu and whooping cough. HB1726/SB2359, introduced by Rep. Ron Gant, R-Piperton, and co-sponsored by Sen. Bo Watson, R-Hixson, will be discussed in the Civil Justice Committee on Wednesday. WSMV reports that the bill exempts an individual or member of an individual’s household from the Department of Children’s Services (DCS) immunization requirements for adopting or fostering a child if they object on the basis of religious or moral convictions. The Federal Administration for Children and Families requires caregivers of infants to have an up-to-date whooping cough and influenza vaccine.

The Tennessee Bar Association is now accepting nominations for its 2024 Claudia Jack Award and Justice Frank F. Drowota III Outstanding Judicial Service Award. The Claudia Jack Award honors an outstanding public defender or court-appointed private practitioner who has served the legal community and clients in an exemplary fashion. It is named after the late Claudia Jack, a public defender and long-time champion of the poor and underprivileged. The Drowota Award is given to a judge or judicial branch official of a federal, state or local court in Tennessee who has demonstrated extraordinary devotion and dedication to the improvement of the law, the legal system and the administration of justice, as exemplified by the career of former Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Frank F. Drowota III. The deadline to submit nominees for both awards, which will be presented at the TBA Annual Convention in June, is April 1.

The March/April 2024 issue of the Tennessee Bar Journal is now available online! Laura Kidwell brings readers a timely primer on the final judgment rule — and its exceptions — in Tennessee civil actions in this issue's cover story. We're saying heartfelt goodbyes to Barry Kolar in the feature story from former Journal editor Suzanne Craig Robertson. Our thanks to all the staff, former TBA presidents and other friends who contributed to this article! Russell Fowler is back with another fascinating history lesson, this time about a former Tennessee governor who was tried for assault and defended by Francis Scott Key, and Wade Davies' Crime & Punishment column delves into the question of when to notify the Tennessee attorney general before proceeding with a claim challenging the constitutionality of a statute. You can also catch up on the TBA's grassroots advocacy efforts, especially around funding for indigent representation, staffing news, a save the date for TBA's Day on the Hill and Big Shrimp reception, and more!

Sign up now for "Avoiding Pitfalls in Immigration Court" webcast on March 25 from 12:30-1:30 p.m. CDT. Two lawyers with extensive experience in immigration court and a retired immigration judge will explore some ways to avoid pitfalls in immigration court. Participants will be provided a copy of the Immigration Court Practice Manual and will have an opportunity to ask questions of the panelists. Pre-submit your questions here.

Williamson County lawyer Melissa Ann Baker was reinstated to the active practice of law on Feb. 28 by the Tennessee Supreme Court, conditioned on continuing compliance with the terms and conditions imposed by the court on Feb. 6, 2023. Baker previously was suspended for three years with one year to be served on active suspension. Baker filed a petition for reinstatement on Jan. 12. The board found the petition was satisfactory and submitted an order of reinstatement to the court.

On Feb. 28, the Tennessee Supreme Court suspended Johnson County attorney Perry Lee Stout from the practice of law until further orders of the court pursuant to Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Section 22.3. Stout entered a plea of guilty and was adjudged guilty to one felony count of criminal conspiracy to possess Schedule VI-controlled substances and one felony count of money laundering in violation of Tenn. Code. Ann. §§ 39-17-417, 39-12-103 and 39-14-903.

Senior U.S. District Judge Robert Leon Jordan died on Feb. 27 at age 89. Jordan served in the U.S. Army from 1954 until 1956. He earned a bachelor's degree in 1958 from the University of Tennessee and his law degree in 1960 from the University of Tennessee College of Law. Jordan began his law practice in Nashville with the firm of Goodpasture, Carpenter, Dale and Woods before becoming a partner in the law firm of Bryant, Price, Brandt, Jordan and Fox in Johnson City in 1971. In 1980, then-Gov. Lamar Alexander appointed him to Tennessee’s Chancery Court, and he was elected to a full term in 1982. Jordan was confirmed to the federal bench in 1988 and served as senior judge from 2001 until a few months ago. He served for several years as chairman of the planning committee of the Sixth Circuit Judicial Conference, which honored him in June 2001 for his leadership. At the Judicial Conference in 2004, Jordan was elected president of the Sixth Circuit District Judges Association. He was also instrumental in the formation of the Federal Bar Association of the Court’s Northeastern Division. In December 2014, he was presented the Judicial Excellence Award by the Knoxville Bar Association. Judge Jordan’s beloved wife of 67 years, Dottie, died at the age of 91 just over two months ago. Arrangements are pending.