The Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation will offer a free online training beginning this month to help employers develop or enhance the skills and knowledge to coordinate an employee’s return to employment after a work-related injury. The training is part of the bureau’s newly developed REWARD — Returning Employees to Work and Reducing Disabilities — Program. The virtual program includes 90-minute classes every other week for six week beginning this Thursday. Learn more online or by contacting Marion White, 615-253-1204.

Friday is the deadline to submit nominations for the Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services (TALS) annual access to justice awards. The Janice M. Holder Award, the B. Riney Green Award and the New Advocate of the Year award recognize those who have contributed to Tennessee’s equal justice community. The recipients will be recognized during the annual Equal Justice University (EJU) virtual conference Sept. 21-23. Visit TALS’ award nomination page for nomination instructions, the awards nomination form, and specific eligibility and criteria for each of the three awards.

A federal judge in West Tennessee has joined other judges in blocking a Biden administration program designed to redress generations of discrimination against some farmers, saying the federal government failed to show the U.S. Department of Agriculture discriminates against people of color today, Knoxnews reports. Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas Anderson issued the third such national injunction to bar enactment of the loan forgiveness plan approved by Congress in March calling it reverse racism. The program was designed to compensate Black, American Indian/Alaskan Native, Hispanic, or Asian, or Hawaiian/Pacific Islander farmers whom the Congress said had been discriminated against in the past and who suffered a disproportionate impact from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Justice Department is expected to appeal.

The Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) Duncan School of Law recently announced two faculty promotions for the fall. Assistant Professor of Law Jason Smith has been promoted to director of legal writing, while Head of Research and Digital Collections Librarian Ann Walsh Long has been promoted in faculty rank to associate professor of law. Read more in a release.

Last Friday was the first day the bust of Nathan Bedford Forrest could have been removed from the Tennessee State Capitol but it was not, WREG reports. In March, the Historical Commission voted to authorize the removal after 120 days. But Lt. Gov. Randy McNally asserts the State Building Commission must concur in that action, citing an opinion by the state attorney general. A spokesperson for McNally's office said the issue will be considered at the building commission’s July 22 meeting. Sen. Brenda Gilmore, D-Nashville, a longtime opponent of the statue, says she is “hurt” and “sad” over the delay.

The Arts & Business Council's Volunteer Lawyers and Professionals for the Arts and the law firm of Bradley Arant Boult Cummings will provide free legal services for Black-owned small businesses and nonprofits at a virtual clinic this Friday. Eligible businesses may receive up to one hour of pro bono legal assistance. Appointments are first come, first serve. Companies may sign up online. For more information email vlpa@abcnashville.org.

Williamson County lawyer Jason Scott Mangrum was publicly censured Friday by the Tennessee Supreme Court. The court found that Mangrum failed to obtain consent from his clients for the voluntary dismissal of their lawsuit. Following dismissal of the suit, Mangrum also made misrepresentations to his clients, falsely claiming that depositions were in the process of being scheduled. He also delayed in taking proper action for his clients throughout the representation. The court found his actions violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.2(a), 1.3, 1.4 and 8.4(c).

The Tennessee Supreme Court says it will not intervene early in a dispute between Nashville and the Davidson County Election Commission over a property tax referendum, WPLN reports. In an order issued late Friday, the court said it sees no need to speed up the case and will instead let it work its way through the normal appeals process. The referendum’s backers had wanted the court to take up the case early so a vote could take place in September.

A news item in Friday's issue of TBA Today had the incorrect location for the Knoxville veterans’ legal advice clinic on Wednesday. The event will be held at the Knox County Public Defender’s Community Law Office, 1101 Liberty St., from noon to 2 p.m. EDT. Those seeking advice should pre-register at 865-637-0484. Lawyers who would like to volunteer can sign up online. To learn more, download a flyer or sign up for an "Understanding VA Benefits" webinar tomorrow at 10 a.m. EDT.

The TBA's Summer Business Education Webinar Series continues Thursday with a one-hour session on Email Management. The virtual program will run from noon to 1 p.m. CDT and offer one hour of dual CLE credit. The series, designed to help attorneys work smarter not harder, will continue on July 22 with Task Management and on July 29 with Using Core Financial & Productivity Reports.