The American Bar Association House of Delegates adopted a number of new policies at its Mid-Winter meeting last week. Two will impact law schools and law students, Reuters reports. First, law schools must now provide (1) education in bias, cross-cultural competency and racism both at the beginning of students’ legal studies and again later in their law school careers; (2) information about financial aid and student loan debt resources; and (3) well-being resources. Second, bar admissions authorities were asked to adopt clear and uniform policies allowing for accommodations for lactating individuals during bar exams. See all resolutions considered.

The Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims recently adopted a number of amendments to its rules, formally known as the Tennessee Compilation Rules and Regulations 0800-02-21. The court reviews its rules and makes changes about every two years Chief Judge Kenneth M. Switzer says. The last amendments were adopted in March 2020. Suggestions for rules changes may be made at any time. Learn more about the latest changes in the court’s blog.

Shelby County lawyer Mariann Tait Barksdale was reinstated to the practice of law on Jan. 24. The Tennessee Supreme Court filed the reinstatement order on Feb. 9 saying that Barksdale had demonstrated that the required reinstatement fee and all delinquent annual registration fees had been paid to the Board of Professional Responsibility.

Bass, Berry & Sims lawyer Ashleigh Karnell has begun a six-month fellowship with the Tennessee Innocence Project (TIP) as part of the firm’s Pro Bono Fellowship Program, which allows attorneys to provide pro bono legal service full-time while receiving their regular compensation. Karnell will continue the firm’s longstanding support of TIP and will continue to work to exonerate Artis Whitehead, a Memphis Black man currently serving a 249-year sentence in connection with a 2002 robbery. Firm attorney Danielle Dudding Irvine worked on the case during her fellowship with TIP in 2020. Whitehead has asserted his innocence and says there are issues with an eyewitness, a confidential informant and forensic evidence. An associate in the firm's Nashville office, Karnell practices in the Litigation & Dispute Resolution Practice Group. She earned her law degree from Belmont University College of Law in 2017.

The Memphis Lawyers’ Chapter of the Federalist Society will host an in-person event with Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Roger Page from noon to 1 p.m. CST on March 1. The event will take place at the Hu Hotel, 79 Madison Ave, Memphis 38103. Justice Page will speak on "The History of the Tennessee Supreme Court." Those interested in attending can register online or contact Memphis lawyer Greg Grisham, 901-333-2076.

The Knoxville Bar Foundation is accepting applications for its 2022 grant awards through 5 p.m. EST on March 4. Individual grant awards usually are $5,000 or less and funds cannot be used for operating expenses. Applications must be submitted online. The foundation was established in 1992 to improve the administration of justice, enhance the public’s understanding of and confidence in the legal system, and serve the legal profession. It has awarded $455,000 for local law-related projects and programs since its inception.

The TBA Business Law Section will host its annual Business Law Forum on April 22 from 10 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. CST both in person and virtually online. The in-person event will take place at Operation Stand Down, 1125 12th Ave. S., Nashville 37203. A networking reception will follow the program from 3:45 to 4:15 p.m. CST. This year’s forum will focus on hot topics for both the experienced and inexperienced business lawyer. The program is being produced by Justin Joy with Lewis Thomason in Memphis.

Volunteers are still needed for the Tennessee State High School Mock Trial Competition, which will take place in person in Nashville March 25-26. Presiding judges, attorneys, law students and paralegals can sign up here to volunteer as a judge, scorer or bailiff. Those who volunteer for at least three trial rounds will receive reimbursement for travel and lodging. The 2022 Tennessee State High School Mock Trial case and rules were released last fall. District mock trial competitions are taking place this month with winners from each district taking part in the state competition. The Tennessee champion will compete at the National High School Mock Trial Championship, which will be held virtually in May.

The U.S. Senate yesterday approved a bipartisan bill that seeks to strengthen public financial reporting requirements for federal judges, including U.S. Supreme Court justices, Reuters reports. The measure, and a similar bill passed by the U.S. House, follow a September report from the Wall Street Journal that revealed 131 judges failed to recuse themselves from cases involving companies in which they or their family members owned stock. The Courthouse Ethics and Transparency Act would establish a 45-day window for judges to report stock trades of more than $1,000 and require the judiciary to post disclosure forms online.

Join the Tennessee Department of Revenue on Feb. 22 at 9 a.m. CST for its latest free tax webinar covering franchise and excise tax basics. Participants will learn about filing a franchise and excise tax minimum return, estimated payments and extensions. Please note only these topics will be covered, and the webinar is not meant to be a comprehensive overview of the franchise and excise tax. Register for the webinar here.