Nashville District Attorney Glenn Funk is arguing that death row inmate Byron Black is intellectually disabled under the definitions of a new state law, and therefore, his death sentence should be commuted to life in prison. Funk filed a petition with Senior Judge Walter Kurtz agreeing with Black’s defense team that he should be removed from death row, the Tennessean reports. Federal public defenders representing Black also filed a brief this week asking the judge to reset the conviction. Black, 65, was convicted of murdering his girlfriend Angela Clay, 29, and her daughters Latoya, 9, and Lakesha, 6, at their home in April 1988.

Two legislative staff members suspended since an FBI raid on the Cordell Hull Building in January 2021 now are being fired, Tennessee Lookout reports. Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton confirmed yesterday that Nadine Korby, who worked in Rep. Kent Calfee’s office, and Carol Simpson, who worked for former House Speaker Glen Casada, will no longer be employed. They had been suspended for the past 14 months. The move comes just days after former Rep. Robin Smith resigned from the House and pled guilty to federal wire fraud.

District Attorney General Ray Crouch Jr. of the 23rd Judicial District recently talked with students in Lipscomb University’s Law, Justice, and Society program about the district’s successful recovery court program. Crouch shared the cost savings generated by placing non-violent defendants in the recovery program compared to the cost of incarceration. He explained that much of his caseload involves repeat drug offenders and how recovery court is one method for getting at the root of the problem. Lipscomb University’s Recovery Court class is the first college course in Tennessee, second in the nation, devoted entirely to training students about the recovery court model. The course is taught by adjunct professor Kevin Batts, who also serves as a director of the 23rd District Recovery Court.

The Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands will hold a clinic on Saturday from 8:30-10:30 a.m. CST at Belmont University’s McHugh Clinic, 2005 12th Ave. S., Nashville 37204. Masks are required. Volunteer attorneys will offer free advice on questions about housing, renter’s rights, SNAP benefits, medical bills, debt collection, domestic violence and unemployment benefits. To volunteer contact Kendra Cheek, 615-780-7131. See all March clinics.

Davidson County Circuit Court Judge Kelvin Jones is challenging the residency of opponent Luvell Glanton, claiming the attorney doesn’t live in Davidson County, the Nashville Post reports. The challenge filed by Jones stems from a property that Glanton owns in Brentwood, where his mother lives. The longtime plaintiff’s attorney also owns properties in Davidson County. Glanton’s attorney John Spragens said his client is qualified to serve as a Circuit Court judge under the Tennessee Constitution.” The Davidson County Election Commission will hear the challenge during a special meeting tomorrow at 9 a.m. CST. Meanwhile, attorney David Ridings is attempting to get back on the ballot in the General Sessions Division VII race after being removed by the Davidson County Democratic Party for not being a bona fides Democrat. He has filed suit claiming that general sessions judges are municipal races and therefore should be nonpartisan.

Calling all super sleuths! Join the TBA for CLE programming like you have never experienced before. The CL(U)E program will offer a unique adventure in which you and your team will be tasked with solving a murder mystery, all while learning recent changes to Tennessee criminal law and earning three hours of CLE credit. You’ll solve puzzles, earn clues and engage in a multitude of interactive scenarios that will teach the law and help you solve the murder. Prizes will be awarded to the first three winning teams along with a lifetime of bragging rights. CL(U)E Nashville is set for May 20 at 1 p.m. CDT. Participation in this event is limited and fellow sleuths are “dying” to join, so register today.

The Knox County Board of Education yesterday voted 5-3 to hire private attorneys to help fight two lawsuits over masks in schools, the Knoxville News Sentinel reports. Knox County Law Director David Buuck must now find candidates experienced with the Americans with Disabilities Act and/or the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to bring before the board for approval. Buuck estimated a private attorney would be a "substantial" cost to the school board, with hourly rates around $500. The board's financial advisor said the district has healthy reserves. Buuck last month told two board members he would not hire outside counsel because it wouldn’t be helpful. The school board's representatives and the families that brought the suit have entered mediation and asked a federal judge to suspend his mask rule while they deliberate.

Two advocacy teams from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law are headed to nationals after recent wins at their respective regional competitions. The Memphis Law Black Law Student Association (BLSA) Thurgood Marshall Moot Court Competition team came in first place at the 2022 Southern Regional Thurgood Marshall Moot Court Competition. Coached by Andre Mathis, Aurelia McBride and Chancellor Will Perry, the team is made up of Briana Butler Bridgeforth and Alexxas Johnson, who will advance to nationals in March. The ABA National Appellate Advocacy Competition team of Hailey Townsend and Win Duncan, with Kylie Ronnow on brief, was a champion in the virtual Chicago region and will compete in nationals in early April. Read more about the teams and both competitions on Memphis Law’s website.

TBA Director of Public Policy & Government Affairs Berkley Schwarz and Adams and Reese attorneys and TBA lobbyists Brad Lampley and Ashley Harbin, tackle this week’s news from the General Assembly on the latest episode of the TBA’s Legislative Updates. This week the trio gives a progress report on TBA-backed legislation and much more. 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.

Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel has named shareholder Stephen Adams the new section chair of its intellectual property service group. A longtime member of the Chambliss Startup Group, Adams works with early innovators on a variety of matters related to protecting their business as it grows and matures. He is a member of the Tennessee Intellectual Property Law Association, the Chattanooga Technology Council (ChaTech) board of directors, the ChaTech Early Innovators Award selection committee and the Tennessee PATENTS Pro Bono Assistance Program. Read more from the Hamilton County Herald.