The African American Clergy Collective of Tennessee held coordinated news conferences in Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga and Memphis on Wednesday urging that gun violence be considered a "public health crisis," reports the Commercial Appeal. In Memphis, Shelby County Commissioner Erika Sugarmon spoke about the upcoming referendum scheduled for October 5 that will challenge recent state legislation that removed requirements for gun permits and background checks. "This referendum … states that individuals must have a permit to carry firearms," said Sugarmon. A recent survey by the Daily Memphian confirmed that crime is a big concern in Shelby County, noting that 52% of Shelby County respondents say they have considered leaving the area because of crime.

Attorneys for four former Memphis Police Department officers are requesting that a $500 million civil lawsuit filed by the family of Tyre Nichols be halted until the criminal case is finished, the Commercial Appeal reports. Pausing the civil lawsuit, which alleges negligence by Memphis police and fire departments in the death of Nichols, would include a freeze on civil discovery and any mediation efforts while the criminal case is ongoing, the Commercial Appeal says. In their motions, attorneys claimed that the civil case could be prejudicial to the criminal case. On Thursday, two former officers who are facing criminal charges also filed motions to have their cases tried separately, reports the Tennessean.

A press release issued by Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti yesterday announced a fundraising effort for crisis pregnancy centers as a way to mark the one-year anniversary of the Dobbs decision. "Tennesseans have made clear, through their elected representatives, the desire to support mothers and children,” Skrmetti said. “In celebration of the Dobbs decision, I’m proud to highlight the organizations in our state who go above and beyond to provide resources and care for mothers-to-be.” The effort is being held in conjunction with the attorneys general of eight other states, but some are questioning the appropriateness of the effort. Gov. Bill Lee had sought to put $100 million toward pregnancy centers in the state budget, but the legislature cut it to $20 million, Tennessee Lookout reports.

Federal prosecutor Brent Hannafan has joined the Nashville office of Sanford Heisler Sharp, the Nashville Post reports. Hannafan was criminal chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Tennessee from 2017 to 2023. He will chair the firm’s trial practice and will represent local governments in lawsuits targeting the opioid industry as well as plaintiffs suing UnitedHealth Group. Hannafan graduated from Vanderbilt University and Washington University School of Law. Sanford Heisler Sharp opened a Nashville office in 2017 with the hiring of former federal Judge Kevin Sharp.

Gov. Bill Lee today encouraged Tennessee schools and local law enforcement agencies to apply for nearly $200 million provided through two grants to strengthen school safety, WREG reports. The Statewide School Resource Officer Grant provides $140 million to place a full-time, armed SRO at every public school. Local law enforcement agencies are eligible to apply for the grant, not to exceed $75,000 per year, per school. The Public & Non-Public School Security Grants provide one-time funding to strengthen security at schools, including $40 million for public schools and $14 million for non-public schools. These funds can be used to support a variety of school security efforts, including improved physical security, emergency operations planning, violence prevention programs, conflict resolution and safety training for staff members. Both grant programs were approved in the recent legislative session.

An administrative law judge has rejected plans by Vanderbilt University Medical Center to establish a new Rutherford County hospital, siding with a trio of inpatient facilities already operating in and around the area, Tennessee Lookout reports. Members of a state health agency panel earlier had approved Vanderbilt’s plans to build a new $144 million hospital but Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital, TriStar StoneCrest Medical Center and Williamson Medical Center appealed the decision. The judge overturned the decision saying Vanderbilt had failed to show the need for a new facility.

Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) has turned over transgender patient medical records to the Tennessee Attorney General's office, the Tennessean reports. The attorney general’s office confirmed yesterday that it is conducting an investigation into potential medical billing fraud at the hospital. VUMC reportedly informed patients that the information was turned over as a result of an investigation into "billing for transgender care services provided to individuals enrolled in State-sponsored insurance plans." VUMC also told patients it was assured by the AG’s office that records would remain confidential, and offered patients a hotline number to call with questions and concerns. The attorney general's office today issued a statement about the investigation.

The TBA Young Lawyers Division Fellows met for their annual meeting Friday night as part of the TBA's 2023 Annual Convention. The group elected U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Rachel Mancl as president, Jackson lawyer Michelle Greenway Sellers as vice president, Memphis lawyer Mason Wilson as secretary and Chattanooga lawyer David McDowell as treasurer. Outgoing president Rachel Moses of Cookeville also inducted six new fellows: Chattanooga lawyers Blair Bennington Cannon, Matt Brock, Justin Faith, David McDowell and Wade Hinton, and Memphis lawyer Will Perry. Three honorary fellows also were named, including, Knoxville lawyer Heidi Barcus, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Suzanne Bauknight of Knoxville and Senior U.S. District Judge Curtis Lynn Collier of Chattanooga. Barcus was recognized for her election as TBA vice president while the judges were recognized for their assistance with the YLD’s Debt Relief Clinics. See photos from the event.

The TBA Young Lawyers Division met last week in Knoxville in conjunction with the TBA's 2023 Annual Convention. On Friday, the group held its Annual Meeting, at which Memphis lawyer Quinton Thompson took office as president. Others taking office were President-elect Sean Aiello of Franklin, Vice President Alex McVeagh of Chattanooga, Secretary Ross Smith of Nashville and Treasurer Darius Walker Jr. of Nashville. The 2023-2024 YLD Board then met on Saturday for committee planning sessions and its first board meeting. On Friday, the group met for its annual board dinner. During the evening, outgoing president Brittany Thomas Faith presented a number of awards. The President’s Award was given to Knoxville lawyer Samantha Ellis for her work developing YLD CLE programs, and Chattanooga lawyer Justin Faith for his assistance during the year. Distinguished service awards were presented to Hamilton County Judge Alex McVeagh and President-elect Quinton Thompson. The Public Service Award was presented to Mock Trial Long Range Planning Committee Chair Kati Goodner and Mock Trial Committee Chair Judge Zack Walden and Vice Chair Ashley Tipton for their work on the 2023 competition. Finally, six were recognized with Star of the Quarter Awards: Billy Leslie, for service as immediate past president; Michael Holmes, for assistance with the mock trial competition; Courtney Smith, for service as co-chair of the Diversity Committee; Lindsay Oakes for service as Publications Committee vice chair; and Charlotte Mattingly and John Murphy for work on the "Welcome to Tennessee Basket.” In addition to YLD activities, the 2023 class of the Diversity Leadership Institute met for programming during the convention and celebrated their graduation at the dinner. The group completed a service project at the Richard Bean Detention Center on Saturday. See photos from these events.

The Johnson County Commission on Thursday accepted the resignation of Judge Perry Stout for what he called “immoral” acts, WJHL reports. But Stout told commissioners he hopes to return to the bench, planning to run again in 2024. Stout serves as a general sessions and juvenile court judge. He self-reported an incident in January involving “court staff.” County Mayor Larry Potter said the incident involved “an elected official and a county employee.” During a commission meeting this week, Stout said he did not break any laws but said it was best that he step aside. “All acts were consensual with a woman twice the age of consent,” he told the panel. The commission will appoint someone until the next election.