Gov. Bill Lee recently signed a resolution honoring and commending Vanessa Pettigrew Bryan for her distinguished service to the state as public defender for the 21st Judicial District, the Williamson Herald reports. Bryan retired in November 2020 after 31 years of service. The resolution, introduced by Franklin lawmakers Rep. Sam Whitson and Sen. Jack Johnson, commends Bryan on her “honorable and astute service” and wishes her “a happy and fulfilling retirement.” In addition to serving as public defender, Bryan sat on the board of directors of the 21st Judicial District Drug Court and the D.U.I. Drug Court, and volunteered with Discovery House, Magdalene House, Mending Hearts, Mercy Clinic, Nashville Rescue Mission, New Life Lodge and the Refuge Center, among other organizations.

Well-Being Week in Law is recognized each year during the first full week of May as part of Mental Health Awareness Month. The initiative, sponsored by the Institute for Well-Being in Law, is designed to engage the legal profession in practical activities that reflect a holistic approach to well-being. Today's theme is “Stay Strong: Physical Well-Being.” Activities to focus on include getting regular exercise and enough sleep, eating a good diet, limiting addictive substances and seeking help for physical health when needed. The institute recommends reading “Don't Underestimate the Power of a Walk” from the Harvard Business Review, watching “How Exercise Can Change Your Life” with neuroscientist Dr. Wendy Suzuki, and downloading guides for desk yoga and breathing exercises. Access these and other resources.

The 2021 Immigration Law Forum is set for Thursday from 9 a.m. until noon CDT. Join Bruce Buchanan of Sebelist Buchanan Law in Nashville to learn how the Biden administration's first 100 days has impacted immigration law. The program also will look at immigration cases at the U.S. Supreme Court, pending litigation, ethics and more. Want to save money? Join the Immigration Law Section for discounts on this and other section programs.

Many businesses are re-assessing and planning for an economic future after the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the May-June TBJ cover story, Scott Douglas and Dominic Rota explain one pathway to growth — corporate rebranding of a company name, logo or design. But businesses looking to bridge historic brand recognition with a modern update should explore the legal doctrine of “tacking.” The issue also includes Part 2 of Nick McCall and Jill McCook's "Getting to Know the Federal Executive Branch Ethics Laws," and much more. And in her last column, TBA President Michelle Greenway Sellers writes about the wild ride that has been the past year, and how the legal profession has risen to meet the challenges. 

R. Culver Schmid writes about his practice as a corporate lawyer forming companies with new members, partners or shareholders. But he recently expanded his practice to advise individuals convicted of a felony crime to restore their voting rights. "The reason for donating my time, energy and legal experience in this effort was simple," he says. "According to the Campaign Legal Center, approximately 450,000 Tennesseans, around 9% of the voting-age population, are not able to vote on account of a felony conviction. It is estimated nearly 80% of those individuals completed their probation and parole obligations and are potentially eligible to restore their voting rights.

Tennessee’s juvenile court judges know all too well the life-altering effects of child abuse, and this year especially, are deeply concerned about the well-being of the state’s children, the Administrative Office of the Courts reports. As National Child Abuse Prevention Month comes to end today, Williamson County Juvenile Court Judge Sharon Guffee and Sevier County General Sessions and Juvenile Court Judge Jeff Rader talk about the unprecedented challenges currently facing Tennessee youths. Read more about what they are seeing in their courts.

A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit heard arguments yesterday in a case challenging the constitutionality of a Tennessee law that blocks patients from obtaining abortions for specific reasons, such as a Down syndrome diagnosis, and allows felony charges against health care providers who knowingly perform abortions for such reasons. Less than an hour after the governor signed the proposal into law last summer, District Judge William L. Campbell halted the measure from taking effect while the appeals process played out. Last November, the appeals court overturned Campbell's ruling in part, allowing the ban to be enforced during the appellate proceedings, but gave opponents more time to make their case. Earlier this month, the appeals court upheld a similar "reason ban" in Ohio, the Tennessean reports.

Tennessee lawmakers recently gave final approval to a bill that will allow athletes at colleges in the state to earn money off their name, image and likeness. Schools would be required to conduct financial literacy workshops and players would be prohibited from endorsing gambling, alcohol, tobacco or adult entertainment products. Gov. Bill Lee is expected to sign the bill, the Nashville Post reports. The bill will take effect Jan. 1, 2022. The move comes as the NCAA is considering a nationwide name, image and likeness framework.

Tennessee Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III last week called on the U.S. Supreme Court to reject claims that the state violated Mississippi’s sovereignty when it pumped water from a vast aquifer in the region, Bloomberg Law reports. The filing comes after a special master appointed by the high court to consider the matter recommended rejecting Mississippi’s claims last year. The longstanding dispute between the two states centers on whether a Memphis utility interfered with Mississippi’s authority over its land and waters when it pumped water from the Sparta-Memphis Aquifer. Mississippi asked the Supreme Court to recognize its right to the groundwater and impose damages on Tennessee.

The legal community, including law students from a number of schools, provided meaningful opportunities for Tennesseans to connect to civil legal help during Help4TNMonth, the Administrative Office of the Courts reports. Events this month included a Faith and Justice Phone-In General Legal Advice Clinic in Knoxville, a statewide virtual town hall on Tennessee’s mandatory reporting laws and best practices for dealing with survivors of assault, and continued efforts to assist courts facing a backlog of civil cases caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. At the legal clinic in Knoxville, 22 students from the Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law conducted intake, completed necessary paperwork and provided case summaries to the attorney volunteers. Students from the University of Tennessee College of Law also participated. Read more about these activities and reflections from attorney volunteers who participated on the AOC website.