The Tennessee Court of Workers' Compensation Claims has canceled in-person settlements at its Chattanooga office for tomorrow due to winter weather. Those with business before the court should call 800-332-2667 to reschedule.

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti has joined a coalition of 26 states in sending a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) emphasizing the potential harm in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) by telemarketers and asking the FCC to impose strict restrictions on such usage. Read more about that effort. Skrmetti also recently joined a coalition of 23 attorneys general and the Arizona Legislature in filing an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in support of the National Rifle Association. The group is attempting to sue a New York state official who is alleged to have violated its First Amendment right to free speech. The brief asks the court to reverse a lower court ruling that rejected claims that the official threatened financial institutions doing business with the NRA.

Birmingham-based Burr & Forman LLP recently announced that it experienced a data security incident that impacted data belonging to some of its clients. The firm said in a press release that it has begun notifying impacted individuals of the incident and providing resources to assist them. The affected information, belonging to two health care clients, included individuals' names as well as Social Security numbers, medical coding information with dates and descriptions, and insurance information. It has estimated that the breach impacted nearly 20,000 people. The firm has established a toll-free call center to answer questions. Representatives are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CST and can be reached at 888-774-8132. The firm has offices in Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina. It's sole Tennessee office is in Nashville.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced appointees to a series of key state boards and commissions last Friday. New members have been named to the Tennessee Board of Parole, Heritage Conservation Trust Fund Board, Textbook and Instructional Materials Quality Commission, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Advisory Board, University of Tennessee at Martin Advisory Board, State Board of Accountancy, Real Estate Commission, Tennessee Motor Vehicle Commission, Tennessee Auctioneer Commission and Air Pollution Control Board. See the full list.

A recent article from the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) looks at the path 16th Judicial District Circuit Court Judge Terry Fann has taken to the bench. Fann, who was appointed to the court last November following the retirement of Judge Mark Rogers, recounts how he learned of the upcoming vacancy and the encouragement he received from lawyers and friends to apply for the seat. Since his appointment, Fann says he has “overwhelmed and honored by the kindness and the assistance of all the people involved” in the court system. Fann was sworn in Nov. 23, 2023, by Rogers at an event hosted by the Cannon and Rutherford County Bar Associations. His longtime law partner Steve Waldron introduced him during the investiture and retired judge David Bragg gave the invocation. Read the full profile from the AOC.

Senior 12th Judicial District Circuit Court Judge Justin C. Angel has been named chair of the Tennessee Judicial Conference’s (TJC) Courtroom Security Committee, Chattanoogan.com reports. The committee is comprised of trial judges across the state who focus on the safety of judges, attorneys, court staff, jurors and litigants. The committee appropriates millions of dollars in grant funds which improve safety measures and judicial building security statewide. Angel has served the 12th Judicial District, which encompasses Bledsoe, Sequatchie, Marion, Rhea, Franklin and Grundy counties, for almost 10 years.

Due to inclement weather, Tennessee Supreme Court Buildings in Nashville, Knoxville and Jackson, as well as the Administrative Office of the Courts will be closed tomorrow. Oral arguments scheduled in Knoxville for tomorrow have been postponed. Visit https://www.tncourts.gov/ for more information. The Memphis Bar Association in an email this afternoon announced numerous court closings for tomorrow including Shelby County Circuit Court, Chancery Court, Probate Court, Criminal Court, General Sessions Civil and Criminal and Juvenile Court, as well as Memphis city courts and federal courts in Memphis and Jackson. The Knoxville Bar Association reports that the U.S district courts in the Eastern Grand Division determine closings and delays on a case-by-case basis, but make every effort to contact attorneys with matters before the court that will be affected.

The Tennessee legislature is back in session, and lawmakers are focused on your issues. The Tennessee Supreme Court recently announced its intention to ask the governor and General Assembly to increase compensation for court-appointed attorneys in the juvenile and criminal courts. Court-appointed attorneys, who represent the indigent, including children, are grossly underpaid in Tennessee. Because of this, fewer and fewer attorneys can afford to take cases representing the indigent, resulting in a crisis in our legal system. It’s time for Tennessee attorneys to convey to their elected legislators how serious this problem is and the toll it is taking on the entire judicial system. Learn more from the TBA Government Affairs team and then reach out to your legislators and ask them to support increased funding for indigent representation (find your Tennessee legislators here). Also, please respond to this survey and join TBA’s Grassroots Advocacy efforts to receive action alerts as relevant policy issues arise, including indigent representation. Finally, please sign up to join us for TBA Day on the Hill on March 20.

The TBA's Leadership Law Program (TBALL) held an opening retreat for the 2024 class at Henry Horton State Park this past weekend. Featured speakers and presenters included TBA President Jim Barry, TBA Executive Director Sheree Wright, Nashville School of Law President and Dean William C. Koch Jr. and attorney Randall L. Kinnard. The weekend also included a judge’s panel led by TBALL alumni now serving on the bench. The 2024 class will hold meetings in Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga and Columbia, culminating in a graduation ceremony in Memphis during the annual TBA Convention. The TBALL program aims to serve the legal profession by equipping participants with the vision, knowledge and skills necessary to serve as leaders. Now in its 20th year, the 2024 class includes participants from around the state. Learn more about the class and the program. See pictures from the event.

The TBA Young Lawyers Division (YLD) Board held its winter meeting this past weekend at Paris Landing State Park. YLD President Quinton Thompson presented Stars of the Quarter Awards to Anthony Adewumi for his work as an ambassador of the YLD, Samantha Ellis for her development of CLE programs, and Faith Watson for creating “Beyond the Bar: Resources & Opportunities for Those Who Do Not Pass” as a resource for those who do not pass the bar exam on the first try. Thompson also expressed appreciation for all board members and their outstanding effort in their roles. The Diversity Leadership Institute’s (DLI) Class of 2024 also met during the weekend for the first time. The law school students participated in sessions designed to help them prepare for their future, heard from TBA President Jim Barry and networked with YLD leaders. The class sessions were organized by DLI Co-Chairs Brande Boyd and Rod Watson. See pictures from the event.