The Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board has set four cases for live oral argument in Knoxville this week, and one virtual oral argument later in the month. The in-person cases will be heard Thursday in Knoxville, with a fifth set for Oct. 19 online. Arguments start at 9 a.m. local time on both dates. Learn more about the cases.

Mock Trial Committee member Bridget Pyman and Essential Documents for Essential Workers Chair Matt Knable visited the University of Tennessee College of Law today to speak with students about the benefits of their free membership with the Tennessee Bar Association. They encouraged students to get involved early by applying to the TBA's Diversity Leadership Institute program, volunteering at pro bono clinics and attending CLE programs.

Assistant U.S. Trustee Nick Foster was honored recently at reception held by the U.S. Justice Department in Chattanooga, the Hamilton County Herald reports. Foster was named assistant U.S. trustee for the Eastern District of Tennessee over the summer. Before that, he served as a trial attorney in the Chattanooga office of the U.S. trustee beginning in September 2008. Born and raised in Memphis, Foster earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and law degree from Mississippi College School of Law. He was joined at the reception by his wife, attorney Leslie Foster, and their two daughters.

On the heels of a high-profile criminal case last year, Tennessee politicians vowed to push resources toward the state's evidence testing labs that were taking more than 34 weeks, on average, to process sex offense evidence. That effort appears to be paying off, the Tennessean reports. New data shows that in the Jackson lab, the average turnaround time for forensic sex offence evidence was 17.8 weeks over the past year, a significant improvement over the 41.9 weeks reported between August 2021 and August 2022. Testing times also improved In the Nashville and Knoxville labs. Efforts over the past year included outsourcing the testing of 500 rape kits and bolstering forensic scientists, lab technicians and administrative support personnel at state labs.

Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands has launched a new disaster preparedness website to help residents better prepare for disasters. Executive Director DarKenya W. Waller tells the Smith County Insider that the site is designed to help speed up the process of recovery by educating people how to prepare and safely store essential paperwork — such as advance care plans, powers of attorney, titles, deeds of property, citizenship verification, contracts and agreements — before disaster strikes. The site also includes advice on developing a disaster plan and a checklist of emergency supplies to have on hand. 

The Shelby County Office of Re-Entry is an innovative community agency dedicated to providing education, support and advocacy for justice involved individuals. Director DeAndre Brown tells the Commercial Appeal that the agency's focus on citizenship restoration, including voting rights, is a key element of reentry post-incarceration and is a way to "make a person whole again." Five individuals have successfully completed the restoration of citizenship application process and have filed their petitions with the county circuit court clerk. The filing fees were paid by Just City, a Memphis-based criminal justice reform group.

Shelby County Probate Court Division 1 Judge Kathleen Gomes today ruled to end the conservatorship over retired NFL player Michael Oher and allowed Oher's case against conservators Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy to continue. Oher filed a petition in Shelby County Probate Court on Aug. 14 asking to terminate the conservatorship, which he claimed the family duped him into entering. The Daily Memphian reports that in addition to ending the conservatorship, Oher is seeking a full accounting of funds he believes the Tuohys made during the conservatorship, including money for “The Blind Side” movie, which he says he never received. He also has requested an unspecified amount.

The Texas State History Museum Foundation (TSHMF) will honor Dean of Belmont College of Law and former U.S. Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales as a 2024 History-Making Texan at the 20th annual Texas Independence Day Dinner in February. The award recognizes living Texas legends whose contributions to the state and the nation have been truly historic and exceptional in scope. Gonzales notes, “I am incredibly honored to be receiving such an award from my home state, and it is especially humbling to be joining the esteemed company of past honorees of the Texas State History Museum Foundation. I am grateful for those involved in my selection and for the many mentors, friends and family members who have supported me throughout my life.”

Clarksville is celebrating the opening of a new mental health court as part of a statewide effort to expand access to such courts, WKRN reports. Mental health courts are designed to reduce correctional costs, enhance community safety and improve public welfare. Participants are identified through a screening and assessment process, and they voluntarily agree to engage in community-based treatment. Tennessee has seen a significant increase in the number of mental health courts, with 17 now in operation due to increased funding and support from the state. These courts are seen as a way to reduce incarceration rates, improve public safety, and help individuals lead better lives.

There is increasing discussion among elected officials in outlying Shelby County cities about the possibility of forming a new county, though it remains a complex and challenging endeavor. The Daily Memphian reports that the idea has resurfaced in connection with topics like utility districts and concerns about crime rates and the governance of Shelby County. While some officials believe it's worth exploring the concept of a new county, others caution against raising unrealistic expectations and emphasize the difficulties involved in meeting constitutional requirements for creating a new county, including size and voter approval thresholds.