The coronavirus pandemic has fueled an outbreak of lawsuits challenging public health policies, but the U.S. Supreme Court has been a dead end for most, according to a review by USA Today. In April, the court refused to extend absentee voting in Wisconsin beyond the primary election date. In May, it turned down a California church's challenge to state reopening guidelines, which imposed tighter restrictions on churches than other establishments. In June, the court declined to order the move of more than 800 inmates from an Ohio prison experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak. And in July, it turned down an effort to make it easier to vote by absentee ballot in Alabama, and denied petitions from spiritual advisers seeking to delay executions until they could safely attend. Taken together, the high court's actions signal a desire to leave the pandemic in public officials’ hands, the paper concludes.

Judge Kristi Davis was sworn in this week as the newest member of the Court of Appeals. Davis, who has been a circuit court judge in Knoxville since 2014, fills a vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Charles D. Susano Jr. Prior to her judicial career, Davis was a partner at the Knoxville firm of Hodges, Doughty & Carson. During her time with the firm, she argued 26 appeals before the Tennessee Court of Appeals, the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals, the Tennessee Supreme Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit. Since becoming a judge, she has served as a special judge on the Tennessee Supreme Court Workers’ Compensation Panel and the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility’s disciplinary panel. Davis was appointed to the court by Gov. Bill Lee several months ago.

Faith leaders, judges, attorneys and other members of Tennessee’s religious and legal communities gathered online recently to discuss ways to work together and expand access to justice in the state. During the summit, Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Connie Clark discussed the history of the Access to Justice Commission and its faith and justice initiative. Attendees also heard from speakers on the front lines of efforts to expand access to justice through faith-based partnerships as well as judges who are coordinating programs such as safe baby courts. Read more about the summit and access video recordings of several of the sessions.

The American Bar Association’s Law Student Division is collaborating with education provider Kaplan to offer a new course for incoming law students. The “Welcome to Law School” program offers 18 hours of on-demand video instruction designed to provide a sneak peek into the 1L experience. Topics include writing, reading and processing data like a lawyer; managing stress; mastering the art of time-management; and introductions to key areas of the law. The goal of the online program is to help incoming 1Ls be better prepared for the challenges of law school. Read more in a release from the ABA.

The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and YP Nashville have named finalists for the 2020 Nashville Emerging Leader Awards. The program recognizes Middle Tennessee’s young professionals under the age of 40 for accomplishments in their career field and contributions to the community. Those selected in the legal services category include Alé Dalton, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings; Cornell Kennedy, Sherrard Roe Voigt & Harbison; and Arrin Richards and Jeffrey Zager, Neal & Harwell. The Nashville Post has the full list of finalists.

The Nashville Conflict Resolution Center, which provides free and low-cost victim-offender mediation, is expanding its services to Memphis thanks to a grant from the federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA). The center will receive $500,000 over three years to serve the Memphis area. The work there will be done in partnership with the Shelby County Juvenile Court, led by Judge Dan Michael, and the Shelby County Community Justice & Mediation Center. The Memphis office will be run family mediator Karen Phillips. Read more in a release from the group.

Applications for the Tennessee Community CARES Program are now open. The program, which includes $150 million in relief funds for Tennessee nonprofits, allows applicants to apply for relief for expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Groups can apply now through Aug. 15. View the full program description, application, requirements and frequently asked questions on the state Department of Human Resources website. Two informational session also will be held to help nonprofits understand the application process. Details are online. Grants will be administered by partner nonprofit organizations that will serve as grant administrators. Questions? Contact TN.CommunityCares@tn.gov.

The Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands will be conducting two phone clinics this week and is looking for attorney volunteers to help answer legal questions. The group will hold clinics on Thursday from 4:30 to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 8:30 to 11 a.m. All times CDT. Typical issues raised include family law, landlord/tenant, expungement, wills/POAs, bankruptcy and debt, employment and consumer claims. People also are seeking help with COVID-19 related issues such as unemployment, eviction and benefit matters. To volunteer, contact Andrae Crismon or Kendra Cheek or call 615-780-7131. 

The Tennessee Supreme Court on July 27 suspended 26 attorneys for failure to pay the annual registration fee and six lawyers for failure to pay the annual registration fee and submit certification that all eligible funds are held in an IOLTA account. See the full list of those suspended and reinstated for fee and IOLTA violations in 2020. See all administrative suspensions lists dating back to 2005.

As more legal professionals work from home and on the road, the high overhead and inflexibility of traditional office space becomes less and less appealing. Enter the virtual law firm: an alternative practice model that offers new possibilities for firms and clients. Join colleagues on Aug. 12 at 1 p.m. CDT for a free one hour roundtable to learn what a virtual law firm is, how it works and how to get started. Nefra MacDonald with Clio will lead the discussion. RSVP by 11 a.m. CDT the day of the event to receive login details. Questions may be submitted in advance to Jennifer Vossler. Use subject line “Clio.”