Nominations are being accepted for the TBA’s Public Service Awards. The annual awards recognize outstanding commitment to access to justice in three categories: work performed by an attorney employed by an organization primarily involved in providing legal representation to the indigent; pro bono work performed by a private attorney; and a strong commitment to pro bono service by a Tennessee law student or recent graduate. Nominations have been extended and should be submitted via the TBA website no later than Jan. 5. Nominators are welcome to include supplemental information including letters or videos of support. For more information, contact TBA Access to Justice Director Liz Todaro.

Presidential electors met across the country today to formally cast their votes for the country’s next president. In Tennessee, electors met at the state capitol with all 11 votes going to President Donald Trump without incident, the Tennessean reports. California's 55 electoral votes cast at 4 p.m. CST put Joe Biden over the 270 votes needed to affirm him as president-elect, the New York Times reports.

Attorney General William Barr announced today that he will step down from his position in the coming days, leaving the Trump administration about a month before the president’s current term expires, The Hill reports. President Trump announced Barr's decision on Twitter, saying that the two had a "very good" relationship and praising Barr for doing an "outstanding job."

Rev. James Netters, civil rights leader, pastor and one of the first Black members of the Memphis City Council, has died at age 93. His death was announced yesterday by Mt. Vernon Baptist Church in Westwood, where he served as pastor for more than 60 years. Netters began his decades-long work of advancing civil rights after he attended the March on Washington in 1963. Inspired by national civil rights leaders, Netters returned to Memphis and started a bus boycott, working with Rev. Billy Kyles to ultimately integrate the city bus system. As a city councilman, Netters marched with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in support of the city’s sanitation workers' strike in 1968. King was in town for the event when he was assassinated at the Lorraine Motel. Netters frequently spoke to lawyers about the civil rights movement in Memphis. The Commercial Appeal and U.S. News have more on his life.

Legal Aid of East Tennessee recently announced a partnership with Hamilton County judges and local attorneys designed to help low income people during the holiday season, Chattanoogan.com reports. On Friday, LAET set up a Pro Bono Christmas Tree at the Hamilton County Courthouse. Local judges then decorated the tree with pro bono cases for local attorneys to take, starting today. Lawyers also can visit www.laet.org to sign up for a case. The effort is designed to give back to the community, which has seen many impacted by the pandemic.

Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III today joined a bipartisan group of 51 state attorneys general in a letter urging Congress to pass legislation aimed at protecting the safety of federal judges and their families. The bill would shield the personal contact information of federal judiciary members in public records and limit the distribution of that information online and by data brokers. The Daniel Anderl Judicial Security Act is named for 20-year-old Daniel Anderl, the late son of Judge Esther Salas of the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. Anderl died when an attorney who had appeared in Salas’ courtroom, showed up at her house and shot her son. The attorney also shot her husband, who survived. Read more about the effort to protect federal judges.

A 2019 officer-involved shooting in Whitehaven has been ruled as justified, Shelby County District Attorney General Amy Weirich's office said Monday. The shooting of Abdoulaye Thiam was justified, Weirich said, because the officers involved were threatened with "serious bodily harm” when Thiam ran toward four Memphis police officers with a knife. The Commercial Appeal has more on the developing story.

Looking for CLE around a specific topic or just need a certain number of credit hours? TBA has you covered with new packages designed specifically for your needs. Topic-based packages include courses on legal basics, legal essentials, attorney wellness and section forums. Hour-based packages are also available for those who need 15, 12, 10, eight, six or four hours of credit. See all the options here. Questions? Contact the TBA staff for help. And thanks to Blast presenting sponsor Clio and event partner Geico for supporting this month-long event.

Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee & the Cumberlands 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 will take place on Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday from 3 to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. All times central. LAS is looking for attorneys to help answer questions. To volunteer, contact Andrae Crismon or Kendra Cheek or call 615-780-7131.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled yesterday that federal officials can be liable for money damages in their individual capacities for violations of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993. The case involves three Muslim men who say they were placed on the no-fly list for refusing to spy on their religious communities. They claim placement on the list cost them money from wasted airline tickets and lost job opportunities. A lower court had rejected the suit arguing the Religious Freedom Restoration Act does not allow monetary relief. The court of appeals reversed the ruling, saying that “appropriate relief” can include a claim for money damages. The Supreme Court affirmed. The ABA Journal has more on the story.