Friends of George’s, the theater group that opposed Tennessee’s law limiting drag show performances, plans to appeal the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals' recent decision to dismiss its suit. The attorney representing the group acknowledged that the appeals process could be difficult, calling it a "strong case, but statistically speaking, it’s a long shot," according to the Daily Memphian. Regardless of the law, the theater group says it plans to proceed with its first production of the year.

An inmate at the Shelby County Jail, 49-year-old Jerome Mimes, died on Tuesday, bringing the total to at least 51 deaths since 2019. He is the second to die at the jail in the last three months and at least the third this year. The Shelby County Sheriff's Office says it does not suspect foul play, but Mimes' cause of death has not yet been determined. The jail has faced scrutiny over its conditions, including overcrowding, understaffing and dilapidated facilities. Recent inmate deaths have prompted investigations and calls for reform, with concerns raised about the cause of death and the overall treatment of inmates within the jail. The Daily Memphian has the story.

U.S. District Judge Kelley Hodge in Philadelphia has rejected a tree-trimming company’s request for a preliminary injunction against the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) ban on noncompete agreements. Hodge said the agency has the power to ban practices that it deems anticompetitive, Reuters reports. By contrast, a federal judge in Texas earlier this month blocked the FTC from enforcing the rule against a coalition of business groups while they pursue legal challenges, but did not issue a nationwide injunction. The FTC adopted the ban in April. It estimates that about 30 million people, or 20% of U.S. workers, have signed noncompete agreements.

Chattanooga lawyer and past TBA President Sam Elliott was confirmed as chair-elect of the Tennessee Bar Foundation (TBF) Board of Trustees at the group's annual meeting in Memphis. He will serve a one-year term and move into the chair position beginning in June 2025, succeeding Jackie Dixon, also a past TBA president. The TBF administers Tennessee’s Interest On Lawyers’ Trust Accounts program, honors distinguished attorneys as “fellows” and supports law-related public interest projects through grants. Chattanoogan.com has more.

McKay's Knoxville store employees are unionizing to secure better working conditions and a stronger voice in company decisions. The recent 50th-anniversary road trip promotion, which overwhelmed staff and sent some fans to the hospital due to heat, highlighted issues like poor communication and employee strain. The union is facing challenges in contract negotiations with management, including labor charges filed with the National Labor Relations Board. “Some people think we were protesting, but it was an informational picket about us and our difficulties in bargaining with them because they are basically going as slow as possible," said Aaron Hege, a union leader who has worked at McKay's for 27 years. Knox News has the story.

Data from the Memphis Police Department (MPD) shows that crime is down in the city for the first half of 2024. The Daily Memphian reports that overall major property and violent crimes were down 18% through the first half of the year compared to the same period in 2023; homicides are down 11% with a total of 162 homicides as of June 30 compared to 182 on June 30, 2023; robberies are down 27% at 1,041 this year versus 1,427 last year; forcible rapes were down 7%; and aggravated assaults were down less than 1%. Officials credit Operation Code Zero, a bi-weekly enforcement effort that rotates through the city’s precincts, as one of the tactics contributing to the decrease. The Memphis Shelby Crime Commission also released similar data pointing to a decrease in crime from last year, but reports that the overall crime rate is up 20% from 2020.

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti and 13 other state attorneys general on Monday sent a letter to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), expressing concerns over its revived pilot program aimed at removing title insurance requirements from certain loans sold to Fannie Mae. In the letter, Skrmetti emphasized the role of title insurance in safeguarding homeowners from fraudulent activities and exploitation, and stated that the pilot solely benefits homeowners with "lower risk" refinance loans, neglecting the needs of first-time and low-income homeowners. In a March 7 statement, FHFA Director Sandra Thompson said, "The title acceptance pilot will make it possible to test whether allowing lenders to sell these refinance loans is a responsible approach to reducing the closing costs incurred by existing homeowners. Lenders will also retain the option to provide evidence of clear title through other options, such as title insurance or an attorney opinion letter (AOL)."

Gov. Bill Lee recently appointed Nashville lawyer Ross V. Smith to the Tennessee Board of Appeals. This board plays a crucial role in resolving employment disputes by hearing appeals related to dismissals, demotions and suspensions of preferred service state employees. As a board member, Smith will participate in hearings and help render decisions on employee appeals, contributing to the fair application of state employment laws and policies. Smith is a senior public policy attorney at Bass, Berry and Sims PLC, and serves on the TBA Young Lawyers Division's Executive Committee. His term on the Board of Appeals will run through June 30, 2030. This appointment recognizes Smith's expertise and dedication to public service. 

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) has awarded Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) a "green light" rating for free speech protections, the Tennessean reports. FIRE, a national free-speech advocacy organization that routinely reviews both public and private universities’ campus speech policies, says the green light rating is reserved for institutions with "no written policies that seriously imperil student free speech rights." MTSU revised its policies earlier this year having previously received a "yellow light" rating from the organization. MTSU is home to both the John Seigenthaler Chair of Excellence in First Amendment Studies, which promotes awareness of the First Amendment and quality journalism in Tennessee, and the Free Speech Center, a nonpartisan, nonprofit public policy center that seeks to further First Amendment education.

The Shelby County General Sessions Civil Court is seeking commitments from lawyers to volunteer as special judges when other sitting judges are not available to preside over a case. Those interested in serving in this capacity must meet the basic qualifications of TCA 8-18-101, be at least 30 years of age, a resident of the state for five years, a resident of the circuit or district for one year, and licensed to practice law in Tennessee. To be considered submit a letter of interest by email to Michelle McElhaney or by fax to 901-222-3415.