President Joe Biden granted commutations to nearly every individual on federal death row Monday morning, replacing 37 of the 40 death sentences with life without the possibility of parole. Biden's administration imposed a moratorium on federal executions, and the President said he is “more convinced than ever that we must stop the use of the death penalty at the federal level.” He did however let three death sentences remain in place: Robert Bowers, convicted for the mass shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue; Dylann Roof, convicted of the shooting at the Mother Emanuel AME Church; and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, convicted for the Boston Marathon bombing, CBS reports.

From August through November of this year, Belmont College of Law’s public interest and pro bono clinics provided $35,150 in free legal services –– calculated based on a standard rate of $250 an hour. Across 10 clinics, these services led to transformative outcomes for clients, including 24 powers of attorney for care of a minor child completed, 405 non-conviction expungement filings, 30 estate planning documents prepared, over 110 clients assisted and more than half a million dollars in court fees waived. This year, the law school set a goal of expanding its clinic offerings into new practice areas to better serve its Nashville neighbors. By also expanding its network of partnering organizations, Belmont Law’s public interest program is able to more readily identify communities in need, which were not previously on its radar, the school reports.

A new study from Belmont Innovation Labs, “Every Child Tennessee: Foster Youth in Tennessee 2024 Landscape Study — Transitioning into Adulthood,” highlights the crisis in Tennessee youth who are aging out of foster care. According to the study, 70 to 80% of children aging out of the state’s foster care system without proper support are facing challenges such as homelessness, addiction, imprisonment or trafficking by the age of 21. The research found that one “critical factor” that determined successful outcomes for those aging out of the system was “the presence of a stable adult relationship.” WSMV has more on the study, which drew on research over the last few decades.

Regional grocery chain K-VA-T Food Stores, known as Food City, has agreed to settle government allegations under the False Claims Act (FCA) related to its dispensing of opioids and other controlled substances. The lawsuit alleges that, from 2011 through 2018, 24 Food City store pharmacies dispensed opioids and other controlled substances that were medically unnecessary, lacked a legitimate medical purpose or medically accepted indication, and/or were dispensed to invalid prescriptions, and that, as a result, Food City submitted false claims to federal health care programs. Under the settlement, Food City will pay the United States $8,488,378, and will pay an additional $78,621 to the states of Virginia and Kentucky for claims paid to Food City by state Medicaid programs. Food City reached a similar settlement with Tennessee in 2023. Read more in a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Tennessee.

The Oral History Committee of the Lawyers' Association for Women (LAW) Marion Griffin Chapter on Friday presented a film featuring the life and impactful work of U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals Senior Judge Martha "Cissy" Daughtrey, a founder of LAW. The film was followed by a panel discussion featuring members of the legal community who have worked with Daughtrey over the years and who spoke about her impact on gender equity in the legal profession. The group capped off the night with its annual holiday celebration. See a photo from the event.

The TBA will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday in observance of the Christmas holiday. Offices will reopen Thursday at 8 a.m. CST. Online CLE programming will remain available throughout the holidays.

Gov. Bill Lee granted executive clemency in the form of a pardon to 43 individuals convicted of crimes, who have served their sentences and been out of prison for at least five years, according to a new annual list, the Daily Memphian reports. Lee said the list, which was compiled with recommendations from the Tennessee Board of Parole, includes individuals who have demonstrated "exemplary citizenship" since their release. “It’s a powerful tool, and I do not take it lightly,” Lee told reporters ahead of the list’s release. “They show a rehabilitative effort that is unique.”

Lawmakers received a draft report from the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (TACIR) on Thursday morning addressing issues within the state’s childcare industry. According to WSMV News, the study, mandated by Public Chapter 934, Acts of 2024, examined the characteristics and conditions of childcare workers and explored ways to expand support for early childhood educators. Key findings included discrepancies between zoning requirements from local communities and the Department of Human Services, with some local areas enforcing stricter rules. Additionally, 55% of childcare business owners cited staffing challenges as a major concern. The report recommended increased state support for childcare workers, including incentive programs, and suggested eliminating state and local business taxes for childcare providers. Researchers are working to finalize the draft of the report.

The Tennessee Association of Recovery Court Professionals has awarded the 2024 Ellen L. Abbott Vanguard Award to the 23rd District Recovery Court for its leadership in criminal justice reform. The award recognizes a demonstrated leader in the implementation of a criminal justice initiative or advocacy project. In a press release, the association praised the court’s efforts to reform the criminal justice system, highlighting the work of Circuit Judge Suzanne Lockert-Mash. "For too long, society has used incarceration as the primary tool for dealing with those with addictions. It hasn't worked. Addiction is worse than ever. Prisons are full. The 23rd Judicial District Recovery Court, under Judge Lockert-Mash's direction, is a model of success," the release states. The 23rd District Recovery Court serves Cheatham, Dickson, Houston, Humphreys and Stewart counties.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Tuesday that inmate Wesley Joyner died at the Shelby County Jail after being found unresponsive in his cell, according to the Daily Memphian. The sheriff’s office is awaiting results from the Shelby County Medical Examiner’s Office, but preliminary findings suggest Joyner died from an overdose. Joyner’s death marks the second inmate fatality at the jail in less than a month and the second overdose-related death at the facility this year.