The state attorney general is seeking $700,000 to hire additional attorneys to fight for new state laws, and the governor is requesting $7 million more for court costs, moves that are raising questions about whether the state is spending too much money on litigation it could avoid, Tennessee Lookout reports. With three abortion-related cases arising out of laws passed by the state legislature in 2020 and efforts to fight off increased absentee ballot voting during the pandemic, the state spent a considerable amount on litigation. This session, legislation dealing with transgender athletes and transgender restrooms could also draw legal challenges that could translate into additional costs.

Today the TBA joined a number of professional organizations, including the Tennessee Medical Association and the National Federation of Independent Businesses, in asking members of the Tennessee General Assembly to eliminate entirely the professional privilege tax. Two years ago, Tennessee took a positive step forward removing this discriminatory tax on 15 professions; however, seven professions, including attorneys, still are taxed arbitrarily. Last year, the groups applauded Gov. Bill Lee’s decision to budget for a two-year phase-out of the tax. But after the COVID-19 pandemic hit, that proposal was put on hold. Now that revenues in Tennessee are growing again, the coalition is asking the legislature to completely eliminate the tax.

The Jackson Supreme Court Building and the Nashville Supreme Court Building will be closed tomorrow due inclement weather conditions. The closures include the appellate court clerk's office in both buildings. E-filing will remain available and questions may be directed to the Knoxville appellate court clerk's office at 865-594-6700. Oral arguments for the Court of Appeals Western Section that were already scheduled to be held virtually tomorrow will proceed as planned. The Administrative Office of the Courts will be open and working virtually, unless an update affecting all state employees is announced at a later time. Read the announcement. In related news, legislative leaders have canceled committee meetings and closed the Cordell Hull Building until at least Wednesday, the Tennessee Journal reports. Leaders said they would monitor further developments before making a decision about whether to return Wednesday.

The University of Tennessee College of Law’s Tennessee Journal of Race, Gender, And Social Justice presents the 2021 Rose Lecture — a symposium on “Rethinking Reentry” — next Tuesday. The free event will take place at noon EST and feature prison reform advocate Cyntoia Brown Long and Bone McAllester Norton founding partner Charles Bone. Two additional sessions will include a range of speakers and will focus on overcoming obstacles to reentry and restoration of voting rights. View a flyer for the event

Vanderbilt University today announced the establishment of the Carolyn T. and Robert M. Rogers Center for the American Presidency. The new center — funded by a $5 million donation from the Rogers — will be housed at the school’s College of Arts and Science and will “chart the story of our country through one of the most distinctive American inventions: the office of the president.” Historian and author Jon Meacham will join the center as will two dean’s faculty fellows and a director, according to the Nashville Post. Meacham currently holds the Carolyn T. and Robert M. Rogers Chair in American Presidency. The Rogers graduated from the school in 1975. Carolyn Rogers later earned a law degree from the University of Tulsa.

The U.S. Census Bureau announced Friday that it would not be releasing population data — which states need to redraw state legislative and congressional district boundaries — until Sept. 30, six months after the data typically is made available. Officials said the latest delay was necessary because of pandemic restrictions on verifying counts. According to Tennessee Lookout, states are weighing a number of options, including holding special sessions later this fall, asking state courts for help and using preliminary population data to begin redoing district maps.

TBA President Michelle Greenway Sellers is launching a new initiative to hold virtual town hall meetings across the state to hear from TBA members. The first session will take place Wednesday at noon CST. It will focus on issues impacting the legal community in Jackson, including technology and the courtroom, criminal and civil issues, and what to expect in a post-COVID legal world. Judge Roy B. Morgan Jr., president of the Tennessee Judicial Conference and judge on the 26th Judicial District Circuit Court, and Terica Smith, TBA YLD president and 26th Judicial District assistant district attorney, will join Sellers for the discussion. Please RSVP to let us know if you will be joining this live event. Also, feel free to post questions in advance for the panel. CLE credit for this program (0.75 general hours) is available for a $35 fee. Please contact the TBA CLE team if you would like to receive CLE credit.

The Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands (LAS) will hold three phone clinics this week for members of the public with questions about housing and renters’ rights, bankruptcy, medical bills, debt collection, domestic violence, SNAP benefits and unemployment benefits. Clinics are tomorrow from 3 to 4 p.m., Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Saturday from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. All times central.  LAS is looking for attorney volunteers to help answer legal questions during these times. To volunteer contact Andrae Crismon or Kendra Cheek or call 615-780-7131. See the list of all clinics in February. 

Make plans now to join the Juvenile and Children's Law Section for its annual Spring Forum on April 29 from 9 a.m. to noon CST. Topics to be covered this year include an update on human trafficking in Tennessee, the impact of COVID-19 on education, and equity issues. Not a Juvenile and Children's Law Section member? Join the section for additional savings and benefits.

The ABA’s Presidential Appointments process concludes at the end of this week, so now is the time to show your interest. There are approximately 600 positions open across various standing committees, commissions, and other entities within the ABA, and terms typically last from one to three years.  The deadline to apply is this Friday at 6 p.m. EST.  Use this portal to obtain more information about the positions available and to submit an application.  If you need more information, would like to discuss the process, or are intending to seek a leadership position, please contact John Tarpley, (615) 259-1366, or Jonathan Cole, (615) 726-7335, on the TBA’s ABA Resources Committee.