The TBA’s Appellate Practice Section will hold a virtual roundtable discussion on federal appellate practice during the pandemic Aug. 26 from 2 to 3 p.m. CDT. U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Julia Smith Gibbons and Clerk of Court Deborah Hunt will discuss remote arguments and how the court has adapted its operations during this time. They will be joined by two Tennessee attorneys who have participated in remote oral arguments: Alexander Wharton from The Wharton Law Firm and Robert Hutton from Glankler Brown. Kevin Ritz, the appellate chief in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Memphis, will moderate the discussion. The event is free and open to all TBA members, but registration is required.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit yesterday upheld a federal judge’s ruling against a group of Tennessee prisoners suffering from hepatitis C who sued the Tennessee Department of Corrections in 2016 for its “deliberate indifference” to their serious medical needs, the Associated Press reports. The complaint stems from a 2016 TDOC policy that, because of the high cost of the medication, rationed out hepatitis C treatments only to those with severe cases—a practice the plaintiffs argued violated the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment. The 6th Circuit’s 2-1 decision upheld the federal judge’s ruling rejecting that claim, saying that TDOC’s limited resources made it reasonable to prioritize treatments. U.S. Circuit Judge Ronald Lee Gilman dissented, writing that officials cannot refuse treatment of a patient with a serious medical need “merely to avoid the bill.”

After The Commercial Appeal filed a motion to quash a subpoena for records, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation dropped its effort to obtain videos and photographs from a July 4 protest outside Shelby County District Attorney General Amy Weirich’s house, the paper reports. The subpoena was for records of any potential crimes that may have occurred at the protest where demonstrators allegedly aimed fireworks in the direction of Weirich's home, walked onto her lawn, and stole and burned American flags that belonged to her. In the motion to quash, Lucian Pera, an attorney for paper, cited state precedent and the Tennessee Shield Law, which protects journalists gathering information for publication.

Gov. Bill Lee has signed into a law a bill that makes it a felony to camp on state property, Nashville Public Radio reports. The anti-protest bill went into effect last Thursday. It means people who hold overnight sit-ins on public property, like the state Capitol, face up to six years in prison and loss of their voting rights. It also creates mandatory minimum sentences for assaulting a first responder. Read more about the legislation.

TikTok announced today that it is suing the Trump administration over two executive orders aimed at banning the video app from the country, The Hill reports. "The administration ignored our extensive efforts to address its concerns, which we conducted fully and in good faith,” the company said in a press release announcing the suit. “We do not take suing the government lightly, however we feel we have no choice but to take action to protect our rights, and the rights of our community and employees.” Trump signed the orders earlier this month compelling ByteDance, the China-based company that owns TikTok, to sell its American assets, arguing that its ties to China pose a security threat. The company argues that the administration failed to provide evidence that it is a national security threat.

Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law has named Katie Jones as its new director of academic success and assessment. Jones joined LMU Law as an assistant professor in 2017 and has taught legal foundations, estate planning and contract drafting. In her new role, she will lead the Academic Success Program, which helps students develop the skills necessary to succeed in law school. Before joining LMU, Jones worked at the Knoxville firm of Holbrook, Peterson, Smith, as a solo practitioner, and as a fellow with the Legal Aid Society. She earned her law degree at the University of Tennessee College of Law.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit is accepting applications from those interested in an appointment as bankruptcy judge for the Western District of Tennessee at Memphis. The position will be open due to the impending retirement of Judge David S. Kennedy. The appointment is for a 14-year term. Learn more in this announcement and procedures document, which also includes a copy of the application. Applications must be received by Sept. 18. For more information contact 6th Circuit Executive Marc Theriault at 513- 564-7200.

The Nashville Bar Association is hosting a one-hour free CLE tomorrow from noon to 1 p.m. CDT about the Power Act, the federal law that encourages pro bono legal services in the areas of domestic violence and sexual assault. Speakers will focus on the importance of pro bono legal services, the types of pro bono legal services that are available, and how to get involved. The panel will include U.S. Magistrate Judge Alistair E. Newbern with the Middle District of Tennessee; DarKenya Waller, executive director of the Legal Aid Society; David Esquivel with Bass Berry & Sims; and Tiffany Graves with Bradley. Register here.

The Tennessee Bar Association, as part of its annual sponsorship of the 2020 Equal Justice University, is providing scholarship support for law students who would like to attend the virtual conference but cannot afford the registration cost. Interested students are asked to submit this application by email to Nayeli Chavez by the close of business on Wednesday. Scholarship recipients will be notified of their award no later than Aug. 31. The 2020 EJU conference is planned for Sept. 9-10. Sessions will include presentations on building resilience, seeking advanced racial justice, substantive law, legal ethics and building paraprofessional skills, as well presentation of the group’s 2020 Access to Justice Awards. View the full conference agenda.

Tennessee Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III has joined a coalition of attorneys general in urging Congress to adopt key changes to the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), which provides financial support to victims of violent crimes and their families. The changes advocated would stabilize the Crime Victims Fund and provide more flexibility to grantees, the officials say. Deposits to the fund originate from criminal fines, forfeited bail bonds, penalties and special assessments collected by U.S. Attorneys' offices, federal courts and the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Read the letter to Congress.