The global pandemic is impacting every sector of the economy and the legal industry is no exception. In response to interest in more information about how COVID-19 is affecting the legal profession, Above the Law has launched a new podcast. The first episode features an update on financial austerity measures being implemented by law firms and a conversation with Kristin Tyler, co-founder of LAWCLERK. She talks about the state of freelance lawyering and how the freelance world could experience a boom as a result of the crisis.

Tennessee Sen. Lamar Alexander is in self-quarantine after one of his staff members tested positive for the coronavirus, WPLN reports. Alexander will stay at his Tennessee home and will not return to Washington, D.C., for at least 14 days. He will run a Senate Health and Education Committee hearing remotely on Tuesday to review the pandemic response.

Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands will hold four legal clinics by phone this week. General legal clinics will be held on Tuesday from 4:30-6:30 p.m.; on Thursday from 3-4 p.m.; and on Saturday from 8:30-11 a.m. Then on Wednesday, LAS will hold a clinic specifically for veterans from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Those needing assistance can call 800-238-1443 during any of these times. Also on Wednesday, the group will broadcast the next installment of its Facebook Live Show answering questions about how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting particular areas of law. Join Mary Gillum at noon CDT that day to learn more about tax issues and IRS stimulus payments.

The Tennessee Department of Health is providing the names and addresses of residents who test positive for COVID-19 to sheriffs and chiefs of police across the state on a daily basis, the Times Free Press reports. The information is being shared with jurisdictions that have entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Health Department. The paper reports that 32 county sheriff's offices and 35 police departments have entered into such agreements. The ACLU of Tennessee criticized the policy saying even in “extraordinary circumstances” privacy rights should be protected.

The national law firm of Hagens Berman has filed a class action lawsuit against Vanderbilt University arguing that it violated state laws in refusing to reimburse students for room and board, tuition and other costs for the spring 2020 semester after it closed residence halls and halted in-person classes in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. The suit, being brought on behalf of a freshman student known as “John Doe,” is proposing that all students enrolled at the school for the spring term who paid tuition, fees and/or room and board in whole or in part be part of the class. The Tennessee Ledger has more on the story.

Gov. Bill Lee yesterday issued Executive Order 34 extending authorization for state, county and municipal governing bodies to meet and conduct business electronically. A previous order authorizing electronic meetings was set to expire on May 18. Chattanoogan.com reported on the move.

The Tennessee Department of Correction today announced that of the 586 inmates at the Bledsoe County Correctional Complex in Pikeville who tested positive for COVID-19, 580 have recovered, the Tennessean reports. Six positive cases remain, including two inmates who are hospitalized and four who are asymptomatic and in isolation. After mass testing in April, about 25% of Bledsoe inmates were positive for the virus, but a TDOC spokesperson claimed that 98% of those who tested positive were asymptomatic. Earlier this week, an inmate at the Trousdale Turner prison in Hartsville died after being diagnosed with COVID-19, but that inmate’s cause of death is still pending.

The Legal Services Corporation will host a virtual briefing on Domestic Violence and Civil Legal Services during the Coronavirus Pandemic on May 11 from 10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. CDT. Rep. David E. Price, D-North Carolina, Rep. Susan W. Brooks, R-Indiana, and Rep. Gwen Moore, D-Wisconsin, will deliver remarks during the briefing and Chief Justice Cheri Beasley from the Supreme Court of North Carolina will provide an update on how North Carolina’s courts have handled the pandemic. A panel will also be held to discuss serving domestic violence survivors during the COVID-19 pandemic with attorney panelists from civil legal organizations from across the country. The event invitation has information on how you can watch the event via Facebook or Zoom.

The 2020 Family Law Forum is now available in a convenient 1-click online package. The four-hour program will cover extensive revisions to the Child Support Guidelines set to take effect on May 10. In addition to revisions surrounding what happens when a stepparent has health insurance coverage for the child and whether a person can claim voluntary unemployment while incarcerated, the program also covers required federal changes. Other topics in the forum include key issues in family law during the COVID-19 pandemic, G.A.L. essentials and ethics in family law. Visit the TBA course catalog to see all available online courses.  

The Tennessee Supreme Court issued an order yesterday approving a reopening plan for the 6th Judicial District in Knox County. According to the Knoxville Bar Association, the plan emphasizes staggered dockets to limit the number of people in courtrooms and courthouses at any given time. The court also this week approved plans for the 2nd Judicial District, 5th Judicial District, 13th Judicial District, 15th Judicial District, 22nd Judicial District, 25th Judicial District, 26th Judicial District and 28th Judicial District. Today, the court approved plans for the 9th and 11th Judicial Districts. See all plans here. All districts now have plans in place.