The American Bar Association (ABA) has issued a public alert regarding a sharp increase in the number of individuals fraudulently posing as immigration attorneys, often falsely stating they work for reputable legal services organizations, including the ABA, or that they have special relationships with government officials. The alert comes as the ABA says it has been contacted about immigration practitioners claiming to be legally qualified to provide immigration representation despite lacking any credentials or authority. With improvements in technology, the scams may be more difficult to discern as false, the group says. Fraudsters are using ABA branding and office addresses to trade on the ABA’s reputation, often charging thousands of dollars for services that are never provided, said Adonia R. Simpson, deputy director for policy and pro bono at the ABA Commission on Immigration. Read more in a press release.

U.S. District Judge Thomas Cullen on Tuesday dismissed the Trump administration’s lawsuit against all 15 federal judges in Maryland over a standing order that briefly delays deportations for migrants who file legal challenges. Cullen called the lawsuit an improper and confrontational attack on the judiciary and criticized the impugning of judges as “unprecedented and unfortunate.” He ruled that the dispute was a political clash between branches of government and said the administration’s proper recourse is to appeal the order, not sue the entire bench. The Hill has the story.

A three-judge panel in Gibson County — comprised of Chancellor Michael Mansfield of Trenton, Judge Wyatt Burk of Shelbyville and Judge Lisa Rice of Elizabethton — ruled that Tennessee’s laws against carrying weapons “with the intent to go armed” and in state parks are unconstitutional, finding they violate both the U.S. and state constitutions. The Tennessee Lookout reports that the lawsuit, filed by Gun Owners of America, Gun Owners Foundation and several individuals, argued the statutes criminalize lawful gun carrying, effectively creating a “gun-free” zone statewide. While the panel declared the laws void, it said it did not have authority to impose an injunction, leaving enforcement in limbo. Rep. Chris Todd, R-Jackson, praised the decision but said he asked Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti to appeal the ruling for clarity on the enforcement issue. Democrats, including Sen. London Lamar of Memphis, warned the decision will worsen gun violence and hinder law enforcement’s ability to intervene before crimes occur.

TBA's "Raising the Bar" program will be held Nov. 19 at Baker Donelson in Nashville. Breakfast will begin at 9:15 a.m. with programming from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This CLE will address the age-old concept of "the grass is greener on the other side," challenging attendees to think instead that "the grass is greener where you water it." The program will encourage participants to live their best life as a lawyer by re-focusing their energy. Speakers will include Meera Ballal, Heidi Barcus, Rebecca Blair, Sherie Edwards, Psonya Hackett and Rachel Lawson. A networking reception will follow from 4:30 to 6 p.m. All times CST. Stay tuned for updates on this annual favorite produced by the Women in the Profession Committee.

Three Tennessee law schools recently have added to their faculties. Vanderbilt University Law School has added Jeff Gordon, who will teach courses on tax law, federal budget law, legislation and regulation; Jeffrey Bellin, who will teach classes related to criminal law and evidence and join the Branstetter Litigation & Dispute Resolution Program and Criminal Justice Program; and Anne-Marie Moyes, who has been named the inaugural clinic director of The Gail Anderson Cañizares Innocence Clinic, which supports the exoneration of wrongfully convicted individuals in Tennessee. Belmont University College of Law has expanded its experiential learning program with increased staffing and the addition of a three-credit hour seminar. Patrick Riley will serve as director of field placements and teach the seminar, while former director Kristi Arth steps into a new role as assistant dean of experiential learning. The law school also has hired former Loyola Law School professor Joe Sliskovich to teach courses on business associations, federal income tax and business and tax planning. Finally, Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law (LMU Law) has hired Joseph A. Figueroa and Courtney Panter as assistant professors of law.

Three families are suing the Williamson County Board of Education and Legacy Middle School’s principal after a transgender student was allowed to participate in a girls-only sex education class. The families claim the decision violated Tennessee law and caused emotional harm to students. The plaintiffs, represented by state Rep. Gino Bulso, R-Brentwood, seek to bar anyone other than “biological females” from the course and criticize a school counselor’s LGBTQ+ advocacy as conflicting with the state’s abstinence-based policy. The Nashville Post reports that Bulso, who recently launched a bid to fill Mark Green's seat representing the 7th Congressional District, is promoting the lawsuit as part of his campaign. In a web post he asks supporters to help him “take this fight to Washington” and stop “the madness.”

The Trump administration has proposed a rule change to the Supplemental Security Income program that could cut or eliminate benefits for about 375,000 disabled people nationwide, including 7,500 in Tennessee. According to the Tennessee Lookout, the change would end an exception that currently prevents benefits from being reduced when individuals live with family members who receive SNAP food assistance. Analysts estimate the shift could completely end benefits nationwide for 100,000 people and reduce payments for another 275,000.

The Memphis City Council is considering a plan to dedicate $900,000 toward a stronger legal push against blighted properties, with a final vote possible Sept. 9. The funds, redirected from a policing task force proposal, come from interest earned on federal COVID-19 relief money. The Daily Memphian reports that City Attorney Tannera Gibson said the money will be used to hire additional attorneys and outside counsel to move blight cases from general sessions environmental court to chancery court for quicker resolutions. The approach could eventually become self-sustaining through revenue from restored properties sold out of receivership, while also freeing up code-enforcement officers from heavy court duties according to the city.

Make plans now to attend the TBA’s 2025 Health Law Primer and Health Law Forum this fall. The primer will take place Nov. 12 at Barnes & Thornburg in Nashville. Designed for those new to health practice, that program will provide a general health law overview and practical tips to identify and avoid the pitfalls of real-life situations in the heavily regulated health care industry. Then on Nov. 13 and 14, the forum will take place at the Music City Center in downtown Nashville. The two-day event will dig deeper into topics such as regulatory fraud and abuse, medical malpractice, controlled substances enforcement, a legislative update, AI contracting issues, ethics and more. The premier program for Tennessee health care lawyers, the forum provides all necessary CLE requirements for the year — 12 general hours and three dual hours — while providing opportunities to connect with colleagues from across the state. Get more information and register here.

Lawyers for Kilmar Abrego Garcia have asked a federal judge to dismiss his human smuggling case, arguing the prosecution is a retaliatory effort by the Trump administration for their client's successful challenge to removal to El Salvador. The Associated Press reports they cite public attacks from Donald Trump and top officials as evidence of “vindictive prosecution,” claiming the government is trying to punish him and reshape public opinion after deporting him in 2019 despite a judge’s order protecting him from gang violence. Abrego Garcia was returned to the U.S. under a Supreme Court order to face the smuggling charges. The case arose from a 2022 Tennessee traffic stop. The legal team is seeking at least a hearing on the government’s motives. The Hill also reports on the developments.