Nashville Mayor John Cooper today announced that the city will invest $600,000 to help vulnerable misdemeanor defendants access care outside of the criminal justice system, the Tennessean reports. General Sessions Court Judge Melissa Blackburn worked with District Attorney General Glenn Funk, Public Defender Martesha Johnson and a mayoral task force to find ways to help those caught in the “revolving door” of low-level charges, specifically those people struggling with mental health issues. The money will fund a one-year pilot program that involves collaboration between the courts, public health, medical professionals and the police department. Cooper called the investment the “first-of-its-kind” that will “be critical in getting people struggling with mental health conditions the services and aid they need…”

Henry County General Sessions and Juvenile Court Judge Vicki S. Snyder was recently honored with the Presidential Leadership Award from the Tennessee Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges. Snyder was recognized for her years of meritorious leadership and unwavering support to the juvenile courts across the state of Tennessee. In addition to the General Sessions and Juvenile courts, Snyder presides over Safe Baby Court in Henry County. “They say if you love what you do, you never work a day in your life,” Snyder said. “I feel like that.” The Administrative Office of the Courts has more on Snyder’s extensive work in the juvenile justice system.  

Several third-year students at the University of Tennessee College of Law were recently honored for their leadership and overall excellence at the 2022 Julian Blackshear Jr. Gala, hosted by the Black Law Student Association. The 20th annual scholarship event celebrates the College’s commitment to diversity and recognizes pioneers like Blackshear whose experiences influenced positive change. Interim Dean Doug Blaze and incoming Dean Lonnie T. Brown Jr. both spoke, as did Blackshear’s daughter, Lillian Blackshear, who accepted an award on her father’s behalf. Mecca Shabazz received the Roy BJ Campbelle Leadership Award; Zaria Walker received the Julian Blackshear Outstanding Student Award; and Mikayla Swinson was honored with the Frank Ennix Award for Excellence. Read more from the College of Law.

Crossville attorney Patrick Reynolds Egger passed away on Saturday. He was 71. Born in California, Egger was a 1972 graduate of Notre Dame University. He practiced law in California for 30 years before relocating to Crossville, where he continued to work as a public defender. A Celebration of Life service was held today for family and friends and a California service will be set at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Jude Childrens’ Research Hospital.

The bill putting residency requirements in place for most Congressional hopefuls became a law yesterday despite Gov. Bill Lee’s refusal to sign it, the Associated Press reports. Under the new law, U.S. House and Senate candidates must be Tennessee residents for at least three years and residents of the county they’ll represent for at least one. Lawmakers began seriously pursuing the measure after former President Donald Trump endorsed 5th District Congressional candidate Morgan Ortagus, who legislators pointed out is new to Nashville and Tennessee. But a spokesperson for Secretary of State Tre Hargett clarified that the “requirement does not apply retroactively” to anyone who qualified for the race by the April 7 deadline – which includes Ortagus. A lawsuit challenging the bill has already been filed by several Ortagus supporters. A spokesperson for Lee explained why the governor withheld his signature from the rule, saying he feels “voters are best able to determine who should represent them in Congress.”  

Make plans now to join colleagues for the 2022 TBA Annual Convention, taking place in person at the downtown Nashville Hilton June 15-18. Don't miss key convention events such as the Better This Year and Legislative Update CLE programs, Bench Bar CLE and Luncheon, and Lawyers Luncheon, where TBA President Sherie Edwards will pass the gavel to incoming president Tasha Blakney. In person law school breakfasts will return for the first time since 2019, as will the Thursday evening Bench/Bar social event, which will include dinner and a live band on the rooftop of Nashville's new 5th & Broad entertainment venue. Register now and be sure to reserve your hotel room by May 24 to take advantage of the TBA group rate.

The Tennessee Supreme Court today denied a petition from the Nashville Bar Association (NBA) that would have required attorneys to annually complete two hours of CLE programming on diversity, inclusion, equity and elimination of bias. The NBA’s proposed amendment to Rule 21, section 3.01(a) was published by the Supreme Court in September 2020 and public comments were accepted until March 2021. The high court said it received 57 comments from members of the bar, the public and other organizations. In today’s order, the court recognized “the importance of ensuring that our judicial system and the legal profession are free from bias or prejudice and encouraging related continuing legal education,” but ultimately declined the NBA’s petition. Read the order here.  

A new episode of the TBA Legislative Updates podcast is now streaming with TBA Public Policy & Government Affairs Director Berkley Schwarz and Adams and Reese attorney and TBA lobbyist Brad Lampley. This week, Berkley and Brad discuss the Tennessee Supreme Court’s ruling on the Senate redistricting plan and the TBA’s probate bill (HB2359/SB1799) which just cleared the Senate, as well as providing an update on the professional privilege tax. To see a list of all of TBA’s bills, visit our online bill tracker. Legislative Updates airs every Thursday on the TBA’s Facebook page. It is also released as a podcast on the same day and can be found on the TBA’s website or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Professor Anming Hu, a world-renowned nanotechnology expert, has returned to the classroom at the University of Tennessee two years after being labeled as a spy by the federal government, WPLN reports. After a jury deadlocked on the charges, U.S. District Judge Tom Varlan dismissed the case. Hu is now back to his position with tenure, back pay and $300,000 to rebuild his lab. In a statement, UT Provost John Zomchick said the school is “pleased and grateful” to welcome Hu back to the faculty. Meanwhile, the Department of Justice is ending the China Initiative, but some people charged under it are still going to trial. The news outlet recaps the events leading up to Hu’s arrest and how his case played out.

The Tennessee Supreme Court today vacated an injunction issued by a three-judge panel that prevented enforcement of a redistricting plan enacted by the General Assembly for state Senate districts. The lower court had issued the injunction after finding the map violated the state constitution. It gave the legislature 15 days to rectify the map and extended the filing deadline for Senate candidates. The state appealed to the Court of Appeals, but the Tennessee Supreme Court, on its own motion, granted appeal, saying the case raised issues of compelling public interest. Today the court said the lower court failed to “adequately consider the harm the injunction will have on the election officials and also failed to adequately consider the public interest in ensuring orderly elections and avoiding voter confusion.” The court vacated the injunction and set a new filing deadline of 4 p.m. tomorrow. Justice Sharon G. Lee dissented from the majority opinion.