Attorneys general from 21 states say the American Bar Association's (ABA) law school diversity rules are unlawful. According to Reuters, the coalition sent a letter opposing both the current diversity standard and a proposed revision under consideration. A letter, led by Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti, argues that both versions of the rule "impermissibly impose race-based admissions and hiring requirements as a condition of accreditation." The ABA on Monday closed its public comment period on the revised rule. As of Tuesday morning, publicly available comments were mixed, with several legal groups joining the state attorneys general in opposition, while the Law School Admission Council and other ABA entities defended the proposed standard as legal. The ABA’s Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar could vote on the revision when it meets Feb. 21.

January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Since 2010, each president has dedicated the month to raising awareness about human trafficking and educating the public on how to identify and prevent this crime. President Joe Biden, who authored the Violence Against Women Act as a U.S. senator, signed this year's White House proclamation on Dec. 30, 2024. The U.S. Department of State also works to raise awareness of human trafficking internationally through U.S. embassies and consulates. It supports the designation of Jan. 11 as National Human Trafficking Awareness Day or #WearBlueDay. The Blue Campaign encourages people to wear blue — the international color of human trafficking awareness — and post photos of themselves on social media using the hashtag #WearBlueDay.

Chancellor Daniel Forrester was elected to the 7th Judicial District Chancery Court in August 2024 after winning both the primary and general election. “I’d been practicing for about 18 years, and it seemed like the perfect time if I was going to attempt to do it to do so,” he says about his run for office. Forrester was sworn in on Aug. 30 by Circuit Court Judge Ryan Spitzer. After just a few months on the bench, one duty in particular stands out. “I love doing the adoptions,” Forrester says. “It’s always been a favorite in private practice and when we get to do them, they’re always happy. You have a courtroom full of families and people, and they’re always wonderful. It’s one of the few things we get to do as judges and attorneys where everyone’s smiling and happy to be there.” Read more about Forrester's career from the Administrative Office of the Courts.

"Valley So Low: One Lawyer's Fight for Justice in the Wake of America's Great Coal Catastrophe," published last year and written by Franklin author Jared Sullivan, was named one of 2024's "Best Books" by The New Yorker. The book follows Roane County attorney Jim Scott's representation of dozens of workers who were sickened after working on the cleanup site of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) coal ash spill in December 2002. The lawsuit was eventually settled in 2023. Williamson Source reports on the book and the honor.

The TBA Young Lawyers Division has announced the opening of the 2025-2026 leadership appointment and election filing process. For positions subject to election, nominating positions should be filed with YLD Secretary Ross Smith no later than Feb. 15. Available positions include district representatives in odd-numbered districts (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13). Check the YLD Election Guidelines webpage for additional openings and to download a nominating petition. Elections for any contested races will take place between March 1 and April 1 by electronic voting. Those interested in an appointed position on the division's board should review available positions and complete the online application by Feb. 28.  Learn more about the YLD and its mission and its various programs.

The Nashville Hispanic Bar Association (NHBA) recently announced its 2025 board of directors. They are: President Ginette Garza Brown, Tennessee State University; Vice President Lody Powers, Davidson County District Attorney's Office; Secretary Lindsay Oakes, TennCare; and Treasurer L. Maverick Flowers, Polsinelli Law Firm. The NHBA began in 2019 as a networking association for Hispanic attorneys, legal professionals and allies. Read more in a press release from the organization. For more information about the group contact hispanicattorneystn@gmail.com and follow its activities on Instagram @HispanicAttorneys.

A recent scam targeting Davidson County residents involves fraudsters impersonating law enforcement officers, including those from the sheriff’s office, to falsely claim that individuals missed court dates or jury duty, the Nashville Banner reports. The scammers use phone numbers and the names of actual staff to threaten arrest or jail time unless the victim pays fines through untraceable methods, such as Bitcoin. Officials have emphasized that they never request payment for federal cases, and no government agency accepts Bitcoin as payment. They also warn that legitimate government agencies will never call from blocked numbers or demand money in this manner. Local authorities, including Davidson County Sheriff Daron Hall, have urged the public to remain vigilant and report such incidents.

A federal judge has rescheduled until next year the civil trial for former police officers charged in the death of Tyre Nichols. According to the Commercial Appeal, Judge Mark S. Norris explained the delay was necessary given the state criminal trial scheduled for April and the filing of a new complaint, which has led to several contentious legal filings between attorneys representing the city of Memphis and those representing Nichols' mother, RowVaughn Wells. A new mediator also will need to be selected, as retired federal Judge Bernice Donald, initially chosen to mediate settlement discussions in 2023, notified attorneys she will no longer be available for the case. The civil trial is now set to begin July 13, 2026, with attorneys estimating it could last nearly six weeks due to the extensive amount of evidence to be presented.

A planned Hamilton County Commission vote on a proposal to move private practice attorney Janie Varnell into the role of county attorney has been rescheduled. The commission now will not address the issue until Jan. 15, according to the Chattanoogan. County Mayor Weston Wamp is backing the proposal, which would allow Varnell to join county government and take over as county attorney starting in July, while current county attorney Rheubin Taylor would stay on until the first of next year. According to the Chattanooga Times Free Press, the commission previously had set Jan. 8 for the vote. Taylor told commission members last month that the proposal, which would place Varnell in a transitional role within the county attorney’s office, breaches his contract, which gives him authority over personnel.

A new law that took effect Jan. 1 will make it easier for TennCare recipients to access contraceptives. According to Fox 17 news, SB1919 allows patients to receive a 12-month prescription for birth control and pick up the medication directly from a doctor's office instead of a pharmacy. Tennessee joins 24 other states that have adopted similar legislation designed to streamline access to contraceptives.