Tennessee lawmakers wrapped up a three-day special session yesterday after strengthening penalties against protesters and protecting businesses from COVID-19 related lawsuits, the Tennessean reports. The bill directed at protestors makes it a felony to camp overnight outside the Capitol, cause serious injury to first responders, block emergency vehicles when life or health is at stake, or trespass on the property of an elected official, law enforcement officer or judge with the intent to harass. It also makes it a misdemeanor to spit or throw bodily fluids on first responders. Finally, those who deface state buildings can be ordered to pay restoration or cleaning expenses. Those charged with felonies under the bill must be held for at least 12 hours without bond unless a magistrate certifies in writing that the defendant won't resume the behavior upon release. The final version of the bill does not allow the state attorney general to prosecute cases but allows him to highlight local prosecutors who decline to file charges through an annual report. The Senate passed the bill 26-5 on a mostly party-line vote with only Republican Sen. Steve Dickerson opposing it. The House approved the legislation 71-20. Despite earlier versions deferring the effective date, the bill now will take effect upon becoming law.

The Washington County Bar Association is gathering video tributes for Judge James A. Nidiffer, who retired from the bench this summer. Videos of 10 seconds to one minute should be emailed to myattorney1964@gmail.com. Nidiffer was elected Washington County General Sessions Court Judge with Juvenile Court jurisdiction in 2006, and was honored in 2007 for his role in creating the Washington County Mental Health Court. A graduate of the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, Nidiffer first worked at the law firm of Bernard H. Cantor and Associates and then served as associate city judge of the Johnson City Municipal Court.

The ABA Equal Justice Conference has been taking place this week with virtual programs related to access to justice, COVID-19 challenges and racial justice issues. The conference kicked off Tuesday with a keynote address by Andrea Young, executive director of Georgia ACLU and daughter of civil rights leader Andrew Young, a former Atlanta mayor and ambassador to the United Nations. Other programs addressed hot topics in civil legal aid, access to justice during COVID-19, evictions and other consumer issues, and racial and ethnic injustices. 

Circuit Court Judge Joe Binkley Jr., presiding judge of the 20th Judicial District, signed an order yesterday suspending jury trials in the district’s circuit and chancery courts through the end of the year. However, judges and chancellors will continue to be available to hear any case where the parties and their attorneys agree to hold the proceeding as a non-jury trial. Jury trials in the criminal courts are currently suspended through the end of August. Binkley reports that criminal court judges in the district are still considering what their policy will be for scheduling jury trials for the rest of 2020. The Tennessean has more on the story.

The Sumner County Chancery Court will launch e-filing services for all cases on Monday. The court also will continue to accept filings in person, by mail or by facsimile. The court is using the Tybera system, which is also used by the Davidson County Circuit Court, Rutherford County Chancery Court and Williamson County Chancery Court. For an annual fee of $300 an attorney can file an unlimited number of documents in any of these counties. Those who do not wish to pay the annual fee may pay $5 for each filing with a per case limit of $50 per year. A small processing fee will be charged for the use of credit cards. Visit efiling-tn.com for instructions on how to use the new e-filing system or call the court’s civil/domestic support line at 615-452-4282 or probate/delinquent taxes support line at 615-451-6036. Tybera also has support staff available to help. Call 801-226-2746 or email support@tybera.com.

TBA member and Nashville lawyer Kee Bryant-McCormick was chosen as the recipient of the 2020 ATHENA Leadership Award earlier this summer. Presented by Nashville Cable, the award celebrates women who demonstrate excellence, creativity and initiative in their profession, contribute to their community, and mentor other women. Bryant-McCormick is a member of Bone McAllester Norton’s Sumner County office where she focuses on criminal defense, government investigations, estate planning, business law and special education law. Prior to joining the firm, she ran her own law practice in Hendersonville, was planning commissioner for the city, and was an assistant public defender for the 18th Judicial District. She was also the first African American president of the Sumner County Bar Association. Read more about the ATHENA award or watch the award ceremony.

The TBA's 2020 Disability Law Forum is taking place virtually on Aug. 21. The program will cover a variety of topics, including ethical issues, legal technology and law office management tips. Additionally, vocational consultant Michelle McBroom Weiss will present a session on effective cross examination, transferable skills analysis and more; and Judge H. Scott Williams will provide a closer look at the Social Security disability hearing process. The program will offer three dual and two general hours of CLE credit. Thanks to Atlasware by Assure and Vista Points Special Needs Trust for sponsoring the program.

TBA Executive Director Joycelyn Stevenson will join a panel of legal leaders in the Knoxville Bar Association’s virtual event “The 19th Amendment at 100: Bold Women Change History” from noon to 1 p.m. EDT next Wednesday. The event will also feature Knox County District Attorney General Charme P. Allen, state Sen. Becky Duncan Massey, Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Sharon G. Lee, Avice Reid with the city of Knoxville, and Wanda Sobieski of Messer & Elledge. The discussion, which will be moderated by Cheryl G. Rice with Egerton McAfee Armistead & Davis, is part of the KBA’s Law Day celebration. Register at least one hour before the program begins to receive the Zoom link by email.

The Tennessee Bar Association Executive Committee voted Monday to assist the Kingsport Bar Association in asking U.S. Senators Lamar Alexander and Marsha Blackburn and Congressmen Phil Roe and Tim Burchett to support extending federal authorization for a U.S. bankruptcy judge in the Eastern District of Tennessee at Greeneville. Judge Marcia Parsons has served in that post for 27 years, however, she recently announced plans to retire on Sept. 27. The Kingsport Bar Association has been told that upon her retirement, the judgeship will expire, and all bankruptcy cases in the easternmost counties of Tennessee will be shifted to the docket in Knoxville. The TBA agrees with the Kingsport Bar Association that loss of the Greeneville judgeship will cause expense, inconvenience, and delay for both creditors and those seeking bankruptcy relief in Eastern Tennessee.

The Tennessee state Senate last week passed Gov. Bill Lee's “Tennessee Recovery and Safe Harbor Act,” News Channel 5 reports. The measure now goes to the House for a vote. The bill aims to provide retroactive COVID-19 liability protection to health care providers, businesses, schools and non-profits. Last month, Gov. Lee granted similar protections by executive order, but that order expired on July 31.