U.S. Supreme Court Justice Neil M. Gorsuch joined his former clerk and Vanderbilt Law professor Tim Meyer to discuss the differences between serving as a federal appellate judge and a Supreme Court justice, his judicial philosophy, the importance of an impartial justice system, and how the court decides which cases to hear. The talk was held virtually with law students and other faculty tuning in as part of the Cecil Sims Lecture Series. Gorsuch also offered insights into the extremely high volume of cases handled by the lower courts. “Only about 5% of cases go up on appeal,” he said. He also said the court is more unified than portrayed. Of the 70 cases typically heard each year, the justices reach unanimous decisions about 40% of the time, he said. 

Bettors placed $27 million worth of wagers in the first week of sports gambling in Tennessee, The Tennessee Journal reports. Tennessee Lottery head Rebecca Hargrove said sportsbooks paid out $23.9 million, leaving them with an adjusted gross income of $2.5 million for the period covering Nov. 1-8. The state’s tax on that amount totaled $509,000. Most of the betting action has focused on football, with 60% of wagers placed on the NFL and 40% on college games. Four sportsbooks are operating in the state: BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel and Tennessee Action 24/7. Hargrove said three more — Churchill Downs, William Hill and WIN Interactive — are in the process of applying and are hoping to be operational by the end of the year.

The U.S. Department of Justice has closed its investigation into the 1940 cold case murder of Elbert Williams in Brownsville “without prosecution or referral.” The department’s Civil Rights Division opened an investigation into the case in 2018 under the federal Emmett Till Act following review by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee, which also did not recommend charges. The review was requested by Alamo attorney and former TBA President Jim Emison, who has studied and written about the incident and championed Williams’ cause for many years. The department cited several factors that led it to close the case without charges. Read more about the reasons in its Cold Case Closing Memoranda. Read past coverage of the Williams case from TBA Today.

The Legal Aid Society has partnered with Catholic Charities to help Davidson County residents with financial or personal hardships due to COVID-19. More than $100,000 in funding is available from the state through the CARES Act, and county residents can apply for up to $4,000 per person to use for food, rent, mortgage or utilities. Individuals interested in applying should call 615-244-6610 or 800-238-1443 by Nov. 18. The program is being tested in Davidson County with hopes of expanding to other communities if funding becomes available.

Rep. Andrew Farmer, R-Sevierville, is dropping his bid for House majority leader, according to a message to colleagues obtained by The Tennessee Journal. Farmer cited the “fantastic” outcome of this month’s elections in his decision to give up his challenge to Rep. William Lamberth, R-Portland. “A change in leadership is not what the caucus needs right now and therefore I am officially withdrawing my name,” Farmer said. “The best thing we can do is stand together in unity and support the leadership that is currently in place.” His decision means the only contested leadership race for Republicans will be between Rep. Robin Smith of Hixson and Rep. Jeremy Faison of Cosby for House Republican Caucus chair.

The YWCA of Nashville & Middle Tennessee will hold its annual Stand Against Racism program this Thursday from noon to 1 p.m. CST. The virtual event will focus on “Public Safety in a Time of Crisis,” exploring why distrust of police exists in many communities and ways policing can be changed to address community concerns. Speakers include representatives from the American Muslim Advisory Council, Conexión Américas, Gideon’s Army and Nashville Community Oversight Board. Nashville’s interim police chief John Drake is also scheduled to participate. Learn more or register online.

The Knoxville Bar Association will hold a Virtual Annual Meeting & Elections on Dec. 11 at 8:30 a.m. EST. The meeting will include a recognition of outgoing board members and award winners, as well as votes on bylaws changes and new board members. At the end of the meeting, Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Sharon G. Lee will issue the oath of office to incoming KBA President Cheryl G. Rice. Members interested in attending should register by 4 p.m. on Dec. 10 to receive a personalized link. For non-members interested in the event, the program will be recorded and made available afterward.

The Tennessee Supreme Court today transferred the law license of Robertson County lawyer Van Davis Villines to disability inactive status pursuant to Section 27.3 of Supreme Court Rule 9. Villines may not practice law while on inactive status. He may petition for reinstatement by showing clear and convincing evidence that the disability has been removed, and he is fit to resume the practice of law.

Metro Nashville Police Sergeant Michelle Hammond-Beville has filed a federal lawsuit against several high-ranking members of the police department, WPLN reports. Hammond-Beville says leaders in the Office of Professional Accountability violated her civil rights and punished her unnecessarily causing “emotional damage, career damage and financial losses.” Hammond-Beville was decommissioned in 2018 after a family member accused her of child abuse. She claims the department violated protocol by delaying her reinstatement for more than a year after she was cleared of the allegations.

Williamson County Mayor Rogers Anderson recently honored the county’s longtime delinquent tax attorney Bill Yost with a proclamation setting the day as “Bill Yost Day.” Yost is stepping down after 40 years in public service, the Williamson Herald reports. Prior to joining the delinquent tax office, Yost worked as an associate with Joe Saperstein & Associates in Nashville after graduating from Vanderbilt Law School in 1973. Two years later, he became a partner at Petersen, Buerger & Yost in Franklin, where he remained until 1986. He then helped form the law firm of Yost Robertson Nowak, where he will continue to work.