Free Legal Answers — the pro bono platform that allows clients to post legal questions online and receive answers from volunteer attorneys — is approaching its 10th anniversary and almost 500,000 questions answered. In an article published by the ABA Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section, Memphis lawyer and past TBA President Buck Lewis recaps the Tennessee origins of the platform and how it has expanded to 43 states nationally and several countries internationally. Lewis also highlights new and innovative capabilities, including an AI component, coming to the platform in the near future. Learn more in “Freelegalanswers.com: Then, Now, and Tomorrow” or in an interview Lewis gave to Memphis TV station WMC-TV, and watch for more information coming soon about how the ABA plans to celebrate these milestones.

Tennessee Attorney General (AG) Jonathan Skrmetti on Thursday announced a $7 million settlement with property management company LivCor LLC over allegations that it participated in a scheme that used RealPage’s rent-pricing software and competitors’ confidential data to increase apartment rents. The settlement is part of a bipartisan lawsuit brought by the U.S. Department of Justice and nine states against RealPage and several large property managers. Subject to court approval, LivCor has agreed to stop using rent-pricing software that relies on competitors' nonpublic pricing information, cooperate with the states' ongoing case and strengthen its antitrust compliance practices. “Tennessee renters deserve a housing market driven by competition—not by secret agreements and shady algorithms that raise prices for everyday families,” said Skrmetti. Read more in a press release.

The Nashville School of Law (NSL) honored two distinguished members at its Annual Recognition Dinner on June 5. Professor Kimberley Reed-Bracey Johnson received the Faculty Honoree Award for her dual legacy as an inspiring teacher and humanitarian, having taken over 50 mission trips to Haiti, establishing a school there and helping two Haitian brothers relocate to the U.S. for greater opportunities. Alumni Honoree Tim Ishii was recognized for his remarkable resilience. After a training injury left him paralyzed from the chest down, he earned his law degree and built a distinguished career as a trial and appellate attorney, becoming known as much for his character and compassion as his legal skill, according to the school. Read more and see photos from the event.

Shelby County General Sessions Court Clerk Tami Sawyer was suspended on June 17 after being charged on six federal counts including wire fraud, money laundering, theft concerning programs receiving federal funds, and interstate travel in aid of racketeering enterprises. The Daily Memphian reports that all 15 General Sessions Court judges signed the order suspending Sawyer. She will be paid and receive benefits during the 60-day suspension, which began at the end of the day Wednesday, but must forfeit her badge, keys and access to computer systems. “The outcome of your legal matters will determine whether or not these items and access will be returned and restored,” judges wrote in the order. The judges also appointed Ed Stanton Jr., a former General Sessions Court clerk, to run the office in the immediate interim.

Federal Judge Katherine Crytzer denied fired University of Tennessee (UT) professor Tamar Shirinian's request for immediate reinstatement to her position, citing a shifted legal landscape following her February firing and a new state law expanding chancellors' disciplinary authority. Meanwhile, Magistrate Judge Jill McCook approved Shirinian's amended lawsuit naming UT officials, state Rep. Chris Todd, R-Jackson, and U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Knoxville, as defendants over claims including First Amendment violations and defamation. Knox News reports that Shirinian was fired after a Facebook comment about Charlie Kirk's assassination drew online backlash and pressure on UT leadership, including a donor's threat to pull a $10 million gift unless she was terminated. Shirinian also is seeking to unmask that donor's identity. A trial in the case is scheduled for Jan. 19, 2027.

Memphis attorney Adam Remsen snagged his fifth straight Jeopardy! win on Thursday, earning $27,000 and bringing his four-day total of winnings to $99,601. According to the Commercial Appeal, Remsen was the only contestant to answer the Final Jeopardy question correctly. With this win, he has qualified for the game show's Tournament of Champions. He will try for a sixth victory on Friday.

The TBA offices will be closed Friday for Juneteenth, a federal and state holiday in the United States commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. Specifically, it marks the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, finally learned they were free, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued. The TBA will reopen on Monday at 8 a.m. CDT. Staff information, including emails and direct phone lines, is posted on the TBA website and TBA CLE can be accessed at any time!

Adams & Reese has announced the launch of a Blockchain & Digital Assets Practice, led by partner Mike Henson. The new practice will advise clients on legal and regulatory issues involving blockchain technology, cryptocurrency, digital assets, fintech, Web3, NFTs, smart contracts and other emerging technologies. Henson, who recently joined the firm's Nashville office, is a registered patent attorney known for his work at the intersection of intellectual property law and emerging technology. He will work with startups, emerging-growth companies, financial institutions, technology companies, investors, developers and established businesses integrating blockchain technology into their operations. “Clients are looking for practical guidance that helps them innovate while managing legal, regulatory and commercial risk,” Henson said in a press release. “Our Blockchain & Digital Assets Practice will help clients address the full range of issues that arise as blockchain and digital asset technologies continue to develop.”

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has moved to intervene in and dismiss a lawsuit filed by the NAACP and the Mississippi State Conference of the NAACP against Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company xAI, according to the Commercial Appeal. The lawsuit alleges violations of the Clean Air Act related to the use of gas turbines at xAI’s Southaven, Mississippi, facility. In court filings, the DOJ argued that xAI’s Grok artificial intelligence model is important to national security and that disrupting operations at the company’s power plant could hinder the development of future AI systems. The motion also cites concerns raised by Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves that an injunction could negatively affect the state’s economy. The NAACP and the Southern Environmental Law Center, which represents the plaintiffs, criticized the filing, arguing it would undermine the public’s ability to challenge alleged environmental violations.

A federal judge recently approved a class-action settlement with Google that provides hundreds of millions of U.S. account holders with a new way to limit the sharing of personal information in real-time bidding (RTB) advertising auctions, according to a release from Stranch, Jennings & Garvey, a Nashville law firm that is a member of the plaintiffs' executive committee. The lawsuit challenged Google's practice of sharing user data with hundreds of third parties through RTB auctions, which plaintiffs alleged was not adequately disclosed to users and occurred billions of times each day. As part of the settlement, Google introduced a new RTB Control that allows users to limit the information and reduce tracking within auctions. The control also is available online for certain signed-out users. The settlement also requires Google to provide enhanced disclosures about RTB auctions and available privacy options.