Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti has announced a “major bipartisan win” in federal court against Google following a ruling from U.S. District Court Judge Amit Mehta that Google violated federal antitrust law, specifically Section 2 of the Sherman Act, regarding the monopolization of its search and advertising business. In a statement released today, Skrmetti said, “I’m proud my Office was part of the trial team that successfully proved Google is an illegal monopolist. We will continue to work alongside our AG partners and the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division to protect consumers from Google’s anticompetitive conduct.” Reuters has more on the ruling.

The legal battle in Shelby County over a new state law that restricts how judges set bail will impact local taxpayers, says Shelby County General Sessions Criminal Court Judge Bill Anderson. According to the Daily Memphian, Anderson, citing experience with similar suits, estimates court costs and attorneys’ fees could reach into the millions of dollars if a lawsuit challenging the new state law is successful. Just City and the ACLU have sued over the law, arguing it disproportionately affects low-income individuals. The county previously used a financial assessment tool to calculate bail, but a new state law bans the consideration of an individual's ability to pay when setting bail.

A three-judge panel of the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals last week upheld a Columbus, Ohio, school policy requiring students to use preferred pronouns for transgender classmates.  According to the ABA Journal, a group of parents challenged the policy, arguing it infringed on free speech rights. The court disagreed, ruling that students can avoid using pronouns altogether if they object. The opinion was written by Judge Jane B. Stranch. In a dissenting opinion, Judge Alice M. Batchelder compared the policy to forcing students to believe in ghosts, arguing it compelled acceptance of a particular viewpoint.

A federal judge has ordered that the son of Tyre Nichols must have separate legal representation in the civil lawsuit against the city of Memphis. U.S. Magistrate Judge Annie T. Christoff made the recommendation at the request of Judge Mark Norris, who is presiding over a civil suit brought for the death of Nichols at the hands of police in January 2023. The decision comes amid concerns that Nichols' mother, RowVaughn Wells, who is also the estate's representative and suing the city for wrongful death, could face conflicts of interest during settlement negotiations. The court has appointed a guardian ad litem to protect the child's interests, recognizing the potential for significant damages in the case. Read more at The Daily Memphian.

Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert is facing a second ouster petition after the first was dismissed in June. A new legal challenge has been filed alleging that Halbert has neglected her duties. The petition cites financial mismanagement, issues with auto dealers, and other administrative failures as grounds for removal. The county is seeking Halbert's immediate suspension pending the outcome of the case, which will involve a jury trial outside of Shelby County. The Daily Memphian has the story.

Former TBA President Sherie Edwards was elected to the executive council of the National Conference of Bar Presidents (NCBP) during the group’s Annual Meeting in Chicago last week. The NCBP — a nonprofit founded in 1950 to provide resources and training for state and local bar association leaders — met in conjunction with the American Bar Association (ABA), ABA Young Lawyers Division and National Association of Bar Professionals. See a photo from the meeting.

A Shelby County Circuit Court judge has ruled that 73 Memphis police officers can join an ongoing legal battle between the city and the police union over a new police rank. The Memphis Commercial Appeal reports that the dispute centers around the city's attempt to implement a second lieutenant rank, which the union opposes. An arbitrator sided with the union, but the city is contesting the decision. Concerned about potential career implications, 73 officers have joined the lawsuit, arguing that neither the city nor the union adequately represents their interests. Despite the city's objection, the judge sided with the officers, recognizing their direct stake in the outcome of the case due to potential career implications.

The legal battle over the release of the Covenant School shooter's writings is moving to the Tennessee Court of Appeals, WSMV reports. After a lower court judge ruled to keep the materials sealed, the Tennessee Star and Tennessee Firearms Association have appealed the decision. The appellate process is expected to be lengthy, involving multiple stages of legal proceedings, with the possibility of the case eventually reaching the Tennessee Supreme Court. Until a final decision is reached, the shooter's writings will remain sealed.

July 2024 bar exam takers have a paid opportunity to participate in a prototype exam for the upcoming NextGen Bar Exam. The pre-test will be held in October across 32 jurisdictions and will offer participants $1,500 each. While a good-faith effort is required, applicants do not need to specifically study for the exam. Those interested should ensure their contact information is up to date with the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) and their local jurisdiction's bar examiners, as application details will be sent out on Aug. 19. The Tennessee Supreme Court announced in April that the NextGen test will be administered in Tennessee starting in July 2027.

The U.S. economy added a weaker-than-expected 114,000 jobs in July, while the unemployment rate climbed to 4.3%, The Hill reports. This unexpected slowdown in job growth comes amidst growing pressure on the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates to stimulate the economy. Legal jobs ticked down slightly In July, shedding 500 jobs and continuing a three-month streak of declines following a gain in April, Law.com reports. While the overall economy remains relatively strong, some economists warn of potential challenges ahead, including rising unemployment and increased financial strain on consumers. Members of Congress are calling for immediate interest rate cuts to support the economy and prevent further job losses.