Metro Nashville Vice Mayor Jim Shulman and civil rights attorney Abby Rubenfeld will provide a community conversation regarding the recent Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia decision and other issues faced by Tennessee’s LGBT citizens. This free Zoom videoconference will take place on Saturday at 10 a.m. CDT. If you are interested in attending this event please register here. Email any questions to info@shulmanfornashville.com. The registration deadline is 7 a.m. CDT on the morning of the program.

Nashville lawyer Marlene Eskind Moses, founding manager of MTR Family Law, has been named president of the International Academy of Family Lawyers. The worldwide association of family law lawyers works to improve the practice of law and administration of justice in the area of divorce and family law. Moses previously served as president of the group's U.S. chapter. Mainstreet Nashville reported the news.

Memphians are now required to wear face coverings in most public places and businesses to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Commercial Appeal reports. The Memphis City Council approved an ordinance this week that requires both employees and the public to wear masks in places of business, public buildings and medical care facilities, and when waiting for or using public transportation or waiting to be seated at a restaurant. Masks are not required after being seated at a bar or restaurant or if the employee works in a room separate from others. Following the vote, state Sen. Brian Kelsey, R-Germantown, asked the Tennessee attorney general for an opinion on the constitutionality of the ordinance.

Hours after the Tennessee General Assembly adjourned today, Gov. Bill Lee's office confirmed he is considering calling legislators back for a special session after COVID-related liability and telemedicine bills failed to clear both chambers, the Tennessean reports. Though a liability immunity bill did pass the Senate, the House declined to adopt one of its provisions making the legislation retroactive. A bill to expand telemedicine privileges to specialized care providers also died due to failed negotiations.

The Juneteenth holiday that celebrates the liberation of those who had been held slaves in the United States has taken on more prominence this year, the New York Times reports. The holiday has been celebrated since 1865, but has seen its popularity increase in recent years, particularly following nationwide protests over police brutality and racial injustice. Many law firms closed their offices today in recognition of the holiday, Law.com reports, and the ABA offered a free webcast on the topic. In addition, the Tennessee Youth Courts organization is using the day to draw attention to its work giving marginalized and overlooked teens a chance to realize their full potential and turn their lives around. Read more about the program, which was an initiative of the TBA from 2000 to 2016, from Youth Courts Director Denise Bentley.

The latest edition of the Tennessee Supreme Court’s podcast “Tennessee Court Talk” focuses on trends and issues facing self-represented litigants, as well as how attorneys and judges can assist these individuals. The episode features Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Connie Clark; Baker Donelson partner Buck Lewis; professor Cat Moon, director of innovation design for the Program on Law and Innovation at Vanderbilt Law School; and Judge Fern Fisher, a professor at Hofstra University Law School. Tennessee Court Talk is available online and on major podcast players.

The governor’s office is accepting applications for a special judge to be appointed to the Washington County General Sessions Court to take the place of a judge who is not able to perform required duties at this time. The special judge will serve until the regular judge is able to resume duties. All interested attorneys should submit a resume and cover letter by 5 p.m. CDT on July 3 to Lang Wiseman, Deputy and Chief Counsel to the Governor, State Capitol, First Floor, 600 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Nashville, TN 37243 or by email to Rebecca Kaunisto.

Jackson lawyer Michelle Greenway Sellers on Thursday took office as president of the Tennessee Bar Association saying she plans to make members the top priority during the coming year. "The TBA will continue to work with our members to address the issues they are facing," Sellers said, noting the challenges brought on this year by natural disasters, the COVID-19 pandemic and racial injustice. "We will continue to facilitate meaningful discussion and work on solutions for our members and for our communities."

The Arts and Business Council of Greater Nashville, which supports Volunteer Lawyers & Professionals for the Arts, will host a panel discussion Tuesday on the real purpose and promise of “Blackout Tuesday” — a collective action originally organized within the music industry to protest racism and police brutality. The discussion will be presented in partnership with the National Museum of African American Music. The free event kicks off at 4:30 p.m. CDT. Register here.

A “bizarre” legislative session cut short by the COVD-19 pandemic came to a close in the early hours of Friday, the TN Journal reports. A last-minute deal to pass restrictions on abortions in certain cases caused House and Senate leaders to drop disagreements over the budget and wrap up their business. “The surprise nature of the decision to take up the bill after midnight (and behind closed doors) in the Senate, where leaders had earlier declared it would not be taken up this year, is only likely to fuel legal questions about the measure,” the paper reports. The American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee filed a challenge to the law today. The Tennessean has more about the abortion bill while the Nashville Post looks at the budget deal.