Today is Law Day, a time set aside to reflect on and celebrate the rule of law as America’s founding principle. In a statement issued today, American Bar Association (ABA) President Mary Smith writes that Law Day has never been more important. “Today, we are at an inflection point regarding the rule of law. At home and around the globe, autocrats threaten its very existence. American democracy is under strain, and we must all use our voices to maintain our system of laws and ensure that our democracy — as conceived — endures.” She calls on lawyers to help promote a renewed nationwide focus on civics education, the principles of democracy, the rule of law and basic human rights.

The American Bar Association (ABA) has won its bid to toss a proposed class action over a 2023 data breach that exposed the personal information of about 1.5 million lawyers and others. Reuters reports that a New York federal judge granted the group's motion to dismiss the case, finding the plaintiffs did not provide enough evidence to support their claims. The ABA announced last year that an unauthorized third party penetrated its network and took user names and passwords for online accounts used to access an old ABA website and its career center prior to 2018.

Bradley County Juvenile Court has been selected by the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts as a new site for a Safe Baby Court, Chattanoogan.com reports. The expansion of the concept is part of the state's ongoing commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of infants, toddlers and families, officials said. Safe Baby Courts focus on building a multidisciplinary team, including judges, attorneys, child welfare workers, mental health providers and early childhood specialists, that works collaboratively to develop individualized plans that address the needs of families involved in the court system. The program emphasizes trauma-informed care, early intervention and prevention strategies.

After 22 years of teaching judges, Tennessee Senior Judge Don Ash will retire as a regular faculty member at the National Judicial College, the Administrative Office of the Courts reports. Ash, who joined the judicial college faculty in 2001, has taught nearly 1,500 judges from around the country and world and 50 courses, including ethics, case management and managing self-represented litigants. He first attended the judicial college in 1995, later earning a master’s degree in judicial studies through the college and the University of Nevada. His thesis focused on custody issues. Based on that research, he worked with the General Assembly to change the laws in Tennessee. His legacy will continue on following his retirement as Ash has set up a scholarship to the college for Tennessee judges. Read tributes from his colleagues.

Environmental groups have filed suit against the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) over its approval of a pipeline that will supply methane gas to a new Tennessee Valley Authority power plant near Clarksville. Tennessee Lookout reports that the Sierra Club and Appalachian Voices are asking the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to set aside the federal agency’s January order approving the 32-mile pipeline through Dickson, Houston and Stewart counties. The groups, represented by the Southern Environmental Law Center, argue that the pipeline poses avoidable risks to the communities and natural resources that lie in its path.

Jeanne Bigham Heaton has been named the new executive director of the Nashville Bar Association. She will begin her duties on May 20. Heaton is a lawyer who served as the director of continuing legal education for the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) for more than 17 years. In that role, she directed the association’s CLE program, working with more than 50 sections and committees. She also represented the ISBA on the CLE Advisory Committee to the Illinois Supreme Court’s Commission on Professionalism. Heaton previously practiced environmental law in Illinois. Read more from the NBA.

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti has announced that Tennessee and five other states are suing the federal Department of Education (DOE) to challenge its overhaul of Title IX of the Educational Amendments Act. The Tennessean reports that Title IX is a longstanding federal law that bans sexual discrimination against students, employees and others at public schools, colleges and universities that receive federal funds. Earlier this month, the Biden administration introduced updated Title IX rules that include protections against all sex-based harassment and discrimination, including discrimination based on sex stereotypes, sexual orientation, gender identity and sexual characteristics. The lawsuit claims that the changes would harm Tennessee students, families and schools.

Chief Deputy Clerk Lisa Marsh retired from the Tennessee courts after 25 years. She began working in the clerk's office in 1976 and left in 1983 after the birth of her son. She returned in 2003. "You will not find a more dedicated or reliable public servant in the judiciary than Lisa Marsh,” said Tennessee Court of Appeals Judge Neal McBrayer. “So many of us, especially me, have come to rely on her intimate knowledge of the inner workings of clerk's office. It is difficult for me to imagine coming to the courthouse without her steady presence." Read this tribute from the Administrative Office of the Courts.

Pass rates on the February 2024 bar exam are trending up, following what has been a multi-year slide in many states. Reuters reports that among the 42 jurisdictions that have reported February results thus far, 31 have a higher overall pass rate than in February of 2023 according to data, compiled by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE). However, only 15 had pass rates above 50%, according to the NCBE data. Tennessee had a 40% pass rate. Nationwide, 19,496 people took the February bar.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has announced that it will move to reclassify marijuana from a Schedule I drug (like heroin and LSD) to a less dangerous Schedule III drug (like ketamine and some anabolic steroids). The Associated Press reports that the proposal would recognize the medical uses of cannabis and acknowledge it has less potential for abuse than some of the most dangerous drugs. However, it would not legalize marijuana outright for recreational use. Schedule III drugs are controlled substances and subject to rules and regulations, and those who traffic them without permission still can face federal criminal prosecution.