An inmate at Trousdale Turner prison in Hartsville has died from COVID-19, marking the state’s first reported death of an incarcerated person infected with the illness, the Tennessean reports. The unidentified 67-year-old-man’s cause of death is still pending; he tested positive for the virus while in the hospital. Six inmates who tested positive for COVID-19 are currently in the hospital, with one in serious condition. Gov. Bill Lee announced on Friday that all Tennessee inmates and correction staff will be tested this week in an attempt to mitigate the spread of the virus. This news comes on the same day as the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office’s announcement that it had tested all inmates and staff and the results were 100% negative. The Chattanoogan has that story.

Nashville’s Metro Council is preparing to settle a lawsuit with Youth Opportunity Investments, the private company that operates the Juvenile Detention Center where four teens escaped last fall. A government analysis shows that the Metro Nashville Police Department spent more than $235,000 to locate the teens — $113,000 in pay for regular shift hours, $129,000 in overtime and more than $11,000 for car and helicopter use. The proposed settlement would have Youth Opportunity Investments pay $144,000. Four teens escaped the detention center on the night of Nov. 30, 2019, after a series of missteps by detention center staff and were not apprehended for almost two weeks. Three employees involved in the incident have been fired and at least three were criminally charged. WPLN has the full story.

A group of voter rights advocates has brought a federal lawsuit against Secretary of State Tre Hargett, Elections Coordinator Mark Goins and Shelby County District Attorney Amy Weirich over the state’s “restrictive excuse” requirements for absentee ballots, the Daily Memphian reports. The Equity Alliance, the A. Phillip Randolph Institute of Memphis and others are claiming the state’s “strict limits” on eligibility for absentee voting do not take the COVID-19 pandemic into consideration. The lawsuit also points toward criminal prohibitions on assisting voters in obtaining absentee ballot requests.  “… In light of the ongoing public health crisis, Tennessee’s failure to make the already-existing voting system available to all voters so that they do not have to choose between their right to vote and their health imposes an undue burden on Tennesseans’ exercise of their right to vote,” the lawsuit states. State officials have said they are putting together a plan to respond to the COVID-19 crisis in conjunction with county election officials.

Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III has joined a bipartisan coalition of 52 attorneys general asking USTelecom, the leading organization representing telecommunications providers, and its Industry Traceback Group (ITG) to continue collaborating with state attorneys general by bolstering technological capabilities to improve enforcement against illegal robocallers. The coalition sent USTelecom a letter on Monday urging further development of traceback tools, including an online platform that would collect live data from carriers and allow law enforcement to submit a subpoena for USTelecom in a streamlined portal. USTelecom would be able to rapidly review and provide law enforcement the ability to expedite subpoena procedures. “We need to use technology to beat illegal robocallers at their own game,” Slatery said. “Imagine stopping a live robocall campaign in its tracks. That’s the goal.” Read the press release here. 

The U.S. Small Business Administration is looking to recruit temporary positions to help respond to small business owners in need of COVID-19 disaster assistance relief. The jobs are full-time and will run two to six months in duration, with many of them available to be done virtually. The available positions are attorney advisor , paralegal specialist and legal assistant.  

Nashville Chancellor Anne Martin ruled late Monday that Gov. Bill Lee’s education savings account program is unconstitutional, the Tennessean reports. The voucher program was Lee’s signature education initiative and would have allowed eligible families in Davidson and Shelby counties to use public money for private school tuition and other educational needs. Since the law only applied to two counties, Martin ruled it violated a section of the state constitution known as “home rule.” As a result, the state improperly imposed the program on the two counties without their consent. “This is an important ruling for local governments in Tennessee,” Metro Director of Law Bob Cooper said in a statement. “It reaffirms the constitutional right of counties and cities to be free of state legislation that targets select jurisdictions without their approval.” Martin did rule that Metro Nashville Public Schools did not have standing to challenge the law, only the county government.

In celebration of Lawyer Well-Being Week, join Judge Steve Hornsby, Sam Wantland and Lisa Cole for the Personal Balance for Well-Being Roundtable this Thursday at 12 p.m. CDT. The panel will explore the resources for fiscal, physical and mental well-being and their applicability to lawyers during the pandemic. Topics will include stressors specific to lawyers, how your "new normal" work life may unknowingly impact your well-being and more. The roundtable is limited to the first 100 registrants, so get registered now! If you have a question related to this topic, please submit the question here. 

The Tennessee Supreme Court today entered an order making amendments to Rule 10B, section 1 pertaining to the timeliness of a filed motion for recusal or disqualification. On March 30, the court solicited comments on the proposed amendment and said it received comments from the Tennessee Bar Association, Knoxville Bar Association and attorney Elliott J. Schuchardt. The amendments will take effect immediately. Read the order and revised rule.

The Knoxville Bar Foundation has named 12 new fellows who have distinguished themselves in the practice of law and service. The Annual Bar Foundation Fellows banquet was set for June 9 but has been postponed due to the pandemic. New fellows are: Judge William T. Ailor, Allison Easterday Alexander, Loretta G. Cravens, Kathryn St. Clair Ellis, Mohamed A. Faizer, Steven L. Hurdle, Rachel P. Hurt, Steven D. Lipsey, Jay W. Mader, Summer H. McMillan, Reuben N. Pelot IV and Shelly L. Wilson. The foundation was established to improve public awareness of the legal system in Knoxville, the administration of justice and the delivery of legal services through the distribution of its funds.

The Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands has launched a weekly Facebook Live show to answer frequently asked legal questions relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. The show will air for the first time this Wednesday at noon CDT. This week’s episode will feature William Bush and Deven Wilson, who will talk about unemployment eligibility and appeals during COVID-19.