The Administrative Office of the Courts has announced $337,000 in grants for 18 organizations through two grant programs it administers: the Parent Education and Mediation Fund (PEMF) and the Victim Offender Reconciliation Program (VORP). The courts awarded PEMF funding to 13 organizations, including a woman’s advocacy center, two juvenile courts, family centers and a legal aid agency. Two organizations — mediation centers in Clinton and Crossville — received VORP funds. Three organizations received funding from both programs: The Mediation Center in Columbia, the Community Mediation Center in Knoxville and the Nashville Conflict Resolution Center. See a map of all grant recipients. Recipients have until June 30, 2021, to spend the funds. Organizations interested in applying next year should visit www.tncourts.gov or email grants@tncourts.gov. Read more from the court.

As COVID-19 cases continue to increase in Chattanooga, Mayor Andy Berke is asking the state for the authority to mandate masks in public. The Chattanooga Times Free Press reports that Berke is investigating whether he has the authority to mandate masks, noting that many of the cities that have implemented mask ordinances have powers the city of Chattanooga does not. "We've been looking into whether we have the authority to do so," Berke said. "We're a city government, we don't have a health department, our powers are further limited by executive order of the governor."

Washington County lawyer William E. McManus Jr. was disbarred from the practice of law on Friday. He consented to the action after acknowledging that he could not successfully defend himself against the charges filed against him. The state Supreme Court determined that McManus violated Rules of Professional Conduct 8.4(a), (b), (c), (d) and (e).

The Nashville Bar Association Young Lawyers Division will hold its 17th Annual Race Judicata virtually this year. Participants are asked to register for either a 5K or 10K run and complete one of the recommended courses before July 12. A $10 registration fee will go to local nonprofits Achilles International and ABLE Youth. There will not be any official timing but participants are asked to post their results on the honor system! When the race period is closed, virtual champions will be crowned.

The Women's Political Collaborative of Tennessee will host “Racism: Then and Now – Have We Changed?” next Tuesday at 6 p.m. CDT. The Zoom discussion will be moderated by attorney and Tennessee State University professor Larry Woods. Panelist will include Dwight Lewis, author and former editorial writer for the Tennessean; Joyce Searcy, founding director of the Belmont Office of Community Relations; and Sabina Mohyuddin, executive director at the American Muslim Advisory Council. Register here for the free event.

The Nashville Board of Health voted unanimously today to mandate face masks in public. The policy will go into effect Sunday at 5 p.m. CDT, the Tennessean reports. The vote directs the metro health director to sign an emergency declaration and finalize  details over the weekend on how the mandate will be enforced. State officials reported the highest-ever count of new infections in Tennessee with 1,410 new cases Friday. The city joins Memphis in mandating mask use. Gov. Bill Lee has said he does not intend to issue a statewide mask mandate.

The U.S. House of Representatives yesterday passed criminal justice reforms aimed at curbing the use of excessive force by law enforcement following the death of George Floyd. The package was crafted exclusively by House Democrats and only three Republicans supported it. On the Senate side, an attempt to consider a Republican-drafted bill was blocked earlier this week by Democrat members. The Hill looks at the similarities and differences between the two bills.

In response to the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Court of Appeals of Maryland has determined that the state cannot safely administer an in-person Uniform Bar Examination in September. In response, the court has authorized the Maryland State Board of Law Examiners to administer an online, remotely proctored Maryland Bar Exam using questions prepared by the National Conference of Bar Examiners. The court also authorized refunds for anyone who signed up for the exam desiring to receive a Uniform Bar Examination score. Above the Law reports that Maryland officials are in conversations with D.C. officials about a limited reciprocity agreement recognizing each other’s scores since there is so much cross-over between the two jurisdictions.

Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, Tousley Brain Stephens and Barrett Johnston Martin & Garrison have filed a federal class action against Holland America Line and its parent company Carnival Corporation. The action is being taken on behalf of passengers on the MS Zaandam Cruise Ship. The suit alleges they were negligently exposed to COVID-19. “Despite knowing of the risk and dangers of COVID-19 exposure on its ships, Holland America and Carnival put no meaningful screening or preventative measures in place on the cruises prior to departure and negligently continued to encourage guests to gather and mingle even as the virus spread through the passengers and crew,” said Lieff Cabraser partner Kenny Byrd.

The Knoxville Bar Association yesterday released the results of its member survey of candidates in contested judicial races. The survey asked each member to assess whether the candidates have the knowledge, skill, experience, training, education, professional ethics, and temperament to fulfill the duties of office. In the race for Knox County public defender, lawyers recommended Eric Lutton over Sherif Guindi. In the race for county law director, lawyers recommended David Buuck over Jackson Fenner. The KBA says the survey is designed to provide guidance to voters who might be unfamiliar with the candidates.