Need a quick update in the areas of law you deal with every day? The TBA’s 2020 Summer FastTrack program will be held as a virtual program with sessions specifically designed for practitioners in Memphis, Nashville and Knoxville. The Memphis program will take place on Aug. 7. Don’t miss the opportunity to join area judges and attorneys for four one-hour presentations and an optional lunchtime Zoom mixer. Attendees will hear from Chasity Grice with Peppel, Grice & Palazzolo; Danny Norwood with Working Boomer Advocate; and Circuit Court Judge Mary Wagner. Registrants also will receive eight hours of prepaid credit to use on any of TBA’s online or virtual CLE offerings and three hours of exclusive online videos designed specifically for general practitioners on topics such as working from home, law practice management and tips for growing your practice.

Legal Aid of East Tennessee will hold a legal clinic by phone this week for those in the Knoxville area. Those interested in speaking to an attorney were required to call the office at 865-637-0484 to register by May 29. On May 30, law students called registrants to gather needed information. Attorneys now will be calling those individuals this week on Tuesday through Friday. Watch for other opportunities for legal advice on the group’s website.

Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands will broadcast the next installment of its Facebook Live Show on Wednesday. The series has been answering questions about how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting particular areas of law. Join legal aid attorneys Rachel Moses and Aimee Luna at noon CDT to learn more about domestic violence resources.

The Tennessee Supreme Court earlier this year upheld the constitutionality of the noneconomic damage cap provisions of the Tennessee Civil Justice Act of 2011, which is the subject of the June Tennessee Bar Journal's cover story by Bailey Barnes. The court’s analysis primarily centered on the constitutional right to a trial by jury. The justices split on whether the General Assembly maintains the authority to alter or abridge the state’s common law when doing so affects a constitutional right. A story by Linda Sue Nicklos explains and asks if Tennessee will adopt restitutionary disgorgement. And we begin a two-part series by Cody Brandon detailing the history of the right to vote in Tennessee. TBA President Sarah Y. Sheppeard writes about the big difference a year makes, and invites all to the TBA convention, which is free and includes eight amazing hours of CLE.

Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland is calling for an investigation of police actions during an encounter with protesters in the city earlier this week, the Commercial Appeal reports. The move comes after a video was released showing a police officer with a riot shield knocking down a woman. The protesters were on Union Avenue on Wednesday night in response to the recent death of George Floyd while in police custody in Minneapolis. The Tennessee Black Caucus is calling for legislative reform to address the needs of African Americans in the wake of the incident, while a protest is planned for tonight in Knoxville and a rally is planned for Saturday afternoon in Nashville.

Those sitting for the July bar exam in Mississippi will be asked to sign a waiver indemnifying the Mississippi Board of Bar Admissions and the Mississippi Supreme Court from liability should they contract COVID-19 from the two-day exam. Law.com reports that the state’s Supreme Court decided to move forward with an in-person test in July but is implementing a number of public health measures. Mississippi is one of 20 jurisdictions that intend to administer the exam in-person as scheduled in July.

Gov. Bill Lee on Thursday appointed Kristi M. Davis to fill the Eastern Grand Division seat on the Tennessee Court of Appeals now held by Charles D. Susano Jr., who is retiring. As part of its confirmation process, the House Judiciary Committee will hold hearings on the appointment. The committee is asking attorneys who have had experiences with Davis to email any pertinent information that would help legislators prepare for the hearing. All information must be submitted by June 5. In making the appointment, Gov. Lee said “Kristi Davis has an extensive background in civil cases as both an attorney and judge, and she will be an exceptional addition to the Court of Appeals. I’m grateful for her willingness to serve and am proud to appoint her to this important position.” A University of Tennessee College of Law graduate, Davis was an attorney with Hodges, Doughty, & Carson PLLC before joining the Knox County Circuit Court in 2014.

The Tennessee Supreme Court has approved the 30th Judicial District's plan to re-open in-person proceedings for civil, criminal, juvenile, general sessions and municipal courts. Since the courts are located in various buildings, the Shelby County sheriff has developed specific protocols for each location. In general, masks and social distancing must be utilized, no more than 10 people will be allowed in a courtroom at one time, and no spectators or friends will be permitted in proceedings. In addition, there will be no in-person uncontested divorces or motions at this time. Each division has posted its preferences for how these matters will be handled on the Circuit Court website.

The Tennessee House Criminal Justice Subcommittee approved legislation that would increase penalties against parents or guardians who fail to expediently report a missing child to law enforcement or the appropriate agency. The bill — sponsored by Rep. Timothy Hill, R-Blountville; Rep. John Crawford, R-Kingsport; and Rep. Bud Hulsey, R-Kingsport — passed on a voice vote. Known as “Evelyn’s Law” in honor of deceased Sullivan County toddler Evelyn Boswell, House Bill 1309 requires a report of a missing child within 48 hours of the child’s disappearance. Failure to do so would be punishable by up to 11 months and 29 days in jail, a fine of up to $2,500 or both. The Times News has the story.

The TBA's 2020 Disability Law Forum has gone virtual for 2020! Set for Aug. 21, this online program will cover a variety of topics applicable to disability law practitioners, 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, while 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.