Stephanie Celada, a rising 3L at Belmont University College of Law, is the winner of its second annual Legal Fiction Workshop for her story, “Diminished Capacity.” The piece tells the story of a young attorney struggling with the fallout of a complicated ethical decision. Celada’s story was chosen by an outside reader panel, through an anonymized review process. Belmont’s Legal Fiction Workshop is conducted over the Spring semester as an extracurricular activity for a limited number of 2Ls and 3Ls, and is taught by Professor Kristi Arth, who designed the workshop as an incubator and space for students to produce creative work capable of publication. Read the winning entry and more about the award from Belmont.

Before the General Assembly adjourned for the year, the House passed the Senate-amended version of HB1072/SB915, sponsored by Sen. Brian Kelsey, R-Germantown, and Rep. Michael Curcio, R-Dickson, by a vote of 71-21. As originally drafted, the bill would have banned local governments from filing lawsuits to challenge the constitutionality of state laws, but it was amended by Sen. Kelsey during Senate consideration to allow the state to appeal as of right an interlocutory order issued by a circuit or chancery court that grants, continues or modifies an injunction, or if the order denies a motion to dissolve or modify an injunction. This provision only would apply to lawsuits brought against the state, department, agency or official that challenge the constitutionality of a state statute. The bill now goes to the governor for his signature.

Well-Being Week in Law wraps up today with a focus on emotional health, defined as the ability to value emotions, identify and manage emotions, achieve goals and seek help for mental health when needed. To explore this topic, the Institute for Well-Being in Law suggests reading “Feeling Overwhelmed? Here’s How To Get Through The Workday” from the Harvard Business Review; watching the TED Talk “Practicing Emotional First Aid” with Dr. Guy Winch; and downloading two activity guides: one that focuses on retraining unhelpful thoughts and one designed to help us savor positive experiences. Get these and all resources shared this week.

The TBA’s Tax Law Section will continue its 2021 tax law webcast series next Wednesday with an Update on the CARES Act, PPP Round 2, and Employee Retention Credit. The program will run form noon to 1 p.m. CDT. Register now to get updates on the various tax-related COVID-19 relief measures currently in place. Renew your TBA membership and get three prepaid CLE credits you can use for this program!

The Tennessee General Assembly last night adjourned for the year with a flurry of last-minute negotiations over proposed changes to the court system, the Tennessean reports. Lawmakers reached a compromise regarding HB1130/SB868, which sought to create a statewide chancery court. In the end, the conference committee crafted a measure that created a three-judge panel of trial court judges – two of whom are to be appointed by the Supreme Court and must hail from the other two grand divisions – to handle constitutional challenges and declaratory/injunctive claims against the state, a department/agency of the state, and/or one of its officers. The measure, which combined a number of elements of previously unsuccessful bills – including the venue for out-of-state plaintiffs to be held in Sumner County – passed the House 67-22-1 and the Senate 27-2 just minutes before adjournment. For more in depth information on this bill and several others, check out the latest episode of the TBA Legislative Update podcast. TBA Executive Director Joycelyn Stevenson hosts today's episode and interviews TBA Director of Public Policy and Government Affairs Berkley Schwarz and Adams and Reese attorney and TBA lobbyist Brad Lampley for a behind-the-scenes look at TBA’s lobbying efforts. Legislative Updates can be found on the TBA’s Facebook page, website and anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff and Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh visited the Dr. Benjamin L. Hooks Job Corps Center in Memphis’ Whitehaven neighborhood this morning, the Commercial Appeal reports. The stop is part of a tour to highlight benefits of the Biden-Harris administration’s American Jobs Plan. The $2.3 trillion plan is aimed at improving the nation's infrastructure and advancing the fight against climate change while creating jobs. U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, D-TN, and Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland joined Emhoff and Walsh for a listening session between one of the participants of the Job Corps program and program leaders. The Jobs Corps program is a decades-old program housed within the U.S. Department of Labor.

Funeral services were held today for Memphis lawyer Arnold Edwin Perl who died Tuesday at 81. Perl earned his law degree from the University of Illinois. He worked at the Memphis law firm Glankler Brown, practicing in labor and management relations, and served as general counsel for the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry and as secretary and general counsel for the Memphis Chamber of Commerce. Perl played a pivotal role in the completion of what is now known as the FedEx Forum in Memphis, fulfilling his promise that the arena would be completed “on time and on budget.” In addition to serving on the New Memphis Arena Public Building Authority, Perl spent about 30 years as a member of the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority, including 16 years as chair. The family requests that memorials be made to Temple Israel, 1376 E Massey Rd., Memphis, TN 38120; Memphis Jewish Federation, 6560 Poplar Ave., Germantown, TN 38138; or MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030. The Daily Memphian has more on Perl’s career and civic work.

Twenty fifth Judicial District Circuit Judge Joe H. Walker III will retire on July 1, the Administrative Office of the Courts reports. Walker was elected in 1990 to the 25th Judicial District bench, which covers Fayette, Hardeman, Lauderdale, McNairy and Tipton counties. He had previously been appointed by then Gov. Lamar Alexander to serve as chancellor for what was then the 9th Chancery Division in 1982 and later served for a number of years as the city judge for Ripley. To commemorate his years of service, a portrait of Judge Walker was recently hung in the Lauderdale County courthouse. The AOC has more on Walker’s career.

Today’s Well-Being Week In Law theme is “Connect: Social Well-Being,” which means building connection, belonging and a reliable support network. To explore this topic, the Institute for Well-Being in Law suggests reading the 2020 New York Times article “Working From Home Poses Hurdles for Employees of Color,” by Nelson D. Schwartz. The institute also recommends watching a podcast/YouTube video on the science of friendship, how deep and meaningful friendships can help you thrive and reach your goals. Finally, follow along with a 15-minute guided Loving-Kindness Meditation. The exercise is meant to strengthen feelings of kindness and connection toward others.

Ron Swafford, who has served as Chattanooga City Court Clerk for eight years, announced yesterday that he is retiring, the Chattanoogan reports. Swafford began a long career of public service in 1978 at the Hamilton County Juvenile Court, where he was elected Juvenile Court Clerk for 12 years.