Davidson County lawyer Michael Lloyd Freeman was reinstated to the practice of law today. Freeman was suspended on June 21 for three years, with three months to be served on active suspension and the rest on probation. As a condition of reinstatement, Freeman was directed to obtain an evaluation from the Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program and engage a practice monitor, who is to meet with Freeman on a monthly basis to review basic office procedures such as scheduling and maintenance of case deadlines and use of written communications and fee agreements. The practice monitor is directed to send monthly reports to the Board of Professional Responsibility.

The YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee will hold the next installment in its "Stand Against Racism" series on Oct. 20 from noon to 1 p.m. CDT. The session will focus on the criminalization of abuse survivors and women of color. Speakers include Davidson County General Sessions Judge Ana Escobar.  Register here to attend the virtual program. Questions can be directed to Amber Hale, 615-983-5129.

Former state Rep. Jim Coley has died, The Tennessee Journal reports. The Bartlett Republican served in the House of Representatives from 2006 to 2019. He did not seek re-election last year after battling various illnesses. A former public school teacher, Coley formed strong friendships across the political spectrum and was known for his work against human trafficking. At the time of his retirement, the Commercial Appeal reported he had been diagnosed with early stage dementia. The Memphis Flyer reports he had been receiving chemotherapy for myeloma cancer. Funeral arrangements are pending.

Legal Aid of East Tennessee, in partnership with McNabb Center, YWCA of Knoxville and the Tennessee Valley and the Knoxville Family Justice Center, will hold a free legal advice clinic for victims of domestic violence on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon EDT. The clinic will be held at the Knoxville Family Justice Center, 400 Harriet Tubman St., Knoxville 37915. Masks will be required and social distancing observed. Those interested in volunteering should contact Caitlin Torney at Legal Aid of East Tennessee ctorney@laet.org.

Knoxville area legal organizations will hold an in-person veterans’ legal advice clinic this Wednesday from noon to 2 p.m. EDT at the Knox County Public Defender’s Community Law Office, 1101 Liberty St. Those seeking advice should preregister at 865-637-0484. Lawyers who would like to volunteer can sign up online. Masks are required. Volunteers also must accept the terms of the KBA COVID-19 safety acknowledgement and liability waiver. Volunteers may choose to continue volunteering by telephone.

Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slatery recently issued an opinion on whether county mayors have the authority to issue county-wide mandates, and he says they do not in most circumstances, WCYB reports. The opinion came at the request of State Rep. Robin Smith, R-Hixson, who said she wanted guidance on whether health-related county orders such as mask or vaccine mandates could come from county mayors. Slatery said only the leading county health officer has the authority to issue county-wide health mandates and even then, the officer could be limited if the mandate runs counter to state law.

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced two judicial appointments on Friday. William E. Phillips II was named to the 3rd Judicial District Circuit Court, while Brent Bradberry was named to the 24th Judicial District Circuit Court. Both will take office immediately. Phillips, an attorney at Phillips and Hale in Rogersville, will fill a vacancy created by Thomas J. Wright’s retirement. Bradberry, an assistant district public defender for the 27th Judicial District, will fill a vacancy created by the retirement of C. Creed McGinley.

The U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals last week sided with 16 Western Michigan University students who sued the school to play sports without getting a COVID-19 vaccine due to religious reasons. In an unanimous opinion, a three-judge panel of the court said that the university “having announced a system under which student-athletes can seek individualized exemptions, ... must explain why it chose not to grant any to plaintiffs. And it did not fairly do so here." The decision upheld a lower court ruling which also had backed the students. Detroit's Fox 2 reports.

The Tennessee Supreme Court on Friday reinstated Anthony Bernard Norris to the practice of law. Norris was suspended for five years on October 8, 2012. As a condition of his reinstatement, Norris must pay the costs of the reinstatement proceeding and for one year engage a practice monitor, who will report to the Board of Professional Responsibility on a monthly basis.

The TBA International Law Section will host a virtual CLE program this Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon CDT. Program topics will include trade promotion, a panel discussion on diversity and inclusion, international investments and more hot topics. International Law Section members will receive a discounted price for the program. Not a member? Sign up today.