Gov. Bill Lee has signed off on legislation banning transgender athletes from participating in female college sports, Action 5 News reports. The bill will go into effect July 1. The collegiate ban comes after a separate bill banned transgender athletes from competing on middle and high school sports teams. According to the Human Rights Campaign, Tennessee is one of eight states that have passed anti-transgender sports bills.

The Tennessee Bar Association is launching a survey of Tennessee lawyers this week and both TBA members and nonmember lawyers are encouraged to participate. The survey focuses on the impact COVID-19 has had on the working habits of Tennessee lawyers, the state of work/life balance in the Tennessee legal community, and current practices related to hiring, developing, promoting and compensating attorneys. The TBA’s Women in the Profession Committee worked with Yacoubian Research to develop the survey, which should take about 10 minutes to complete. While each attorney will receive a unique link to the survey by email, all results will be presented in the aggregate so individual responses will remain anonymous and confidential.

The next Veterans’ Legal Advice Clinic — a joint project of Knoxville area legal organizations — will take place Wednesday from noon to 2 p.m. EDT at the Knoxville Community Law Office, 1101 Liberty St. This general advice and referral clinic is supported by the Knoxville Bar Association Barristers and Young Lawyers Division, Legal Aid of East Tennessee, Knox County Public Defender’s Community Law Office, University of Tennessee  College of Law, Lincoln Memorial University-Duncan School of Law, and the local Veterans Affairs office. Sign up here to volunteer.

Gov. Bill Lee last week signed legislation increasing criminal penalties for anyone distributing abortion medication through telehealth or mail, the Tennessean reports. The bill prohibits any distribution of abortion medication except when prescribing is done in person by a physician. The physician is not required to monitor a patient during or after taking the medication, except for a required follow-up appointment within two weeks. The bill also makes it a Class E felony punishable by a fine of up to $50,000 if the new procedure is not followed.

The TBA Adoption Law Forum will take place in person next Monday at the Nashville Public Library. The program will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. CDT and offer one dual and three general CLE credits. Topics will include updates on adoption assistance, civil and juvenile court rules, appellate updates and bonding and trauma. Lunch will be provided. Produced by Jennifer Williams, speakers include Meredith Brasfield, Douglas Dimond, Susan Kovac and Kevin Weaver. Register here.

Gov. Bill Lee has declined to sign a “truth in sentencing” bill championed by legislative Republicans, The Tennessee Journal reports. Under the final version of the bill, those convicted of nine categories of crimes, including murder, vehicular homicide and carjacking, would be required to serve 100% of their sentences. Those convicted of 17 other violent offenses — such as aggravated assault, reckless homicide or possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony — would be required to serve 85% of their sentences. In declining to sign the bill, Lee said, “Data does not support the basic premise of the legislation ... Similar legislation has been enacted before and resulted in significant operational and financial strain, with no reduction in crime. Widespread evidence suggests that this policy will result in more victims, higher recidivism, increased crime, and prison overcrowding, all with an increased cost to taxpayers.” The bill passed the House on a vote of 86-9 and 20-7 in the Senate. It will become law without Lee’s signature.

The Johnson City law firm of Brett Cole Law PLLC is seeking an associate to join the small firm that focuses on estate planning and estate administration practice areas. The firm also performs some business transactions. Two or more years of experience is preferred but not required. Applicants also should have experience in estate planning, familiarity with legal documents, the ability to build rapport with clients and multi-task, and strong analytical and problem solving skills. To apply send a resume to brett@brettcolelaw.com. See the full job listing on the TBA’s JobLink site.

Young lawyers in Tennessee and other Southeastern states are invited to attend the Southeastern States Young Lawyers Regional Summit in Orlando on Sept. 22-24. The event, which will be held at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club, will bring together young lawyers for compelling continuing education programs, collaboration and networking opportunities. Programming will focus on marketing your practice, managing non-attorney staff, handling finances and promoting diversity and inclusion in the profession. Social events include an opening reception on Thursday night and an optional “Network Around the World” at Epcot’s International Wine & Food Festival on Saturday. The $250 early registration fee includes up to five hours of CLE credit, materials, admission to Thursday's Welcome Reception, and breakfast, beverage break and lunch on Friday. Register for the conference and be sure to book through the room block for discounted room rates. For questions, contact TBA Young Lawyers Division Coordinator Ateia Aldridge.

The American Bar Association's push for required bias training for law students and its initiative to beef up law school diversity and inclusion rules have disturbed some who say the body is imposing a specific ideology on future lawyers, Reuters reports. Legal blogger and Cornell Law Professor William Jacobson told a panel at the Federalist Society’s 10th Annual Executive Branch Review Conference that the ABA has "stepped out of its lane" and should not impose mandates in the “hotly contested” arena of diversity and bias. Others have criticized the requirement for encroaching on law schools' autonomy. In February, the ABA adopted a requirement that law schools provide training in bias, racism and cross-cultural competency. It is now in the final stages of adopting a revised diversity and inclusion standard that schools must meet regarding racial and ethnic diversity among students, faculty and staff. Law schools would undergo an annual assessment of their inclusivity under the proposal.

The new Fred D. Thompson U.S. Courthouse and Federal Building in downtown Nashville officially opened last week after several days of partial operations and years of planning, designing and construction, the Nashville Post reports. The new building has already been christened with its first protest, as hundreds of pro-choice advocates gathered there earlier this week following news of a draft U.S. Supreme Court ruling that would overturn Roe v. Wade. The process of building the new courthouse began in 2015 when Tennessee’s congressional delegation secured funding. Initial work began in 2016. The Church Street property had been eyed as a possible location for a new courthouse for at least two decades.