The Southern Legislative Conference is holding its annual meeting in Nashville this weekend, the Tennessee Journal reports. The group is chaired this year by Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville. Approximately 1,500 state legislators, legislative staff and government officials kicked off the 75th Annual Meeting of the group today. The event provides state officials the opportunity to engage with experts on policy issues and collaborate on state government solutions. Among the speakers are former Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, Rick Barnes, head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers, and chef Maneet Chauhan.

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled today that the mandatory state bar in Texas violates lawyers’ First Amendment rights because of its political and ideological activities, the ABA Journal reports. Three Texas lawyers filed the challenge, arguing that their constitutional rights were violated because most of the bar’s legislative lobbying was not relevant to regulation of the legal profession or improving the quality of legal services. The court agreed and offered the bar two options: cease engaging in nongermane activities or transfer the licensing and disciplinary functions of the bar to the state and operate as a voluntary bar association. The bar had a mechanism in place to challenge expenditures but the court found it be “constitutionally inadequate.” In a separate action, the court also reinstated a lawsuit challenging the mandatory bar in Louisiana.

The Tennessee Court of Appeals recently upheld a $256,324 judgment against Johnson City stemming from a vehicle accident in April 2017, the Johnson City Press reports. City Attorney Erick Herrin said the city is evaluating whether to appeal. The case centers on a local resident who underwent surgery for injuries after a city employee struck her vehicle with a tractor. She subsequently filed a lawsuit against the city seeking $300,000 in damages. The trial court awarded her $256,324, which included $10,000 for pain and suffering. The appeals court upheld the award, rejecting the city’s “impressive methodology” for calculating lower medical costs.

Nashville leaders gathered yesterday to unveil a historical marker in the Church Street Park honoring Nashville’s history in the women’s suffrage movement, Main Street Nashville reports. The “Campaign for the Vote” marker recognizes the formation of the Nashville Equal Suffrage League in 1911 and the major events that followed, including the 1914 convention of the National American Woman Suffrage Association at the nearby Hermitage Hotel and the 1915 suffrage automobile parade.

A ribbon cutting ceremony for the Anderson County Family Justice Center was held today in Oak Ridge, the Oakridger reports. The center is a place for victims of elder abuse, sexual assault and exploitation, and domestic violence to meet with police, advocates and prosecutors. No appointments are needed and services are free. The center is located at 301 Broadway Ave., Unit 1A, Oak Ridge 37830. A mural on the side of the building was also unveiled.

Knoxville area legal organizations will hold an in-person veterans’ legal advice clinic on July 14 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. Legal advice is provided on issues such as family law, landlord/tenant, bankruptcy, criminal defense, consumer protection, contract disputes, child support and personal injury. To learn more download a flyer or sign up for an "Understanding VA Benefits" webinar on July 13 at 10 a.m. EDT.

The TBA will hold its 2021 Elder Law Forum virtually next Friday from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. CDT. This year's program will feature information on elder abuse and undue influence, VA benefits, Medicaid updates and more. Speakers include Amelia Crotwell and Julie Price with Elder Law of East Tennessee, Barbara McGinnis with Takacs McGinnis Elder Care Law, and Bryson Eubanks with Kane and Crowell. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from seasoned experts and catch up on the latest developments in the field.

Top aides to two Republican leaders in the state House are leaving their positions for other roles in government, the Nashville Post reports. James Dunn, top aide to House Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland, is the new executive director of the Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability. He succeeds Nashville Vice Mayor Jim Shulman. Holt Whitt, previously the interim chief of staff to GOP House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, has been hired as a senior human resources adviser in Gov. Bill Lee’s administration. Whitt was placed on paid leave in January after being questioned by the FBI as part of an investigation into Tennessee lawmakers. The Tennessean reports that federal prosecutors consider Whitt a witness to possible crimes, not a suspect. 

Judge Phillip R. Hilliard has barred public access to an informal hearing on the license suspension of a facility for unaccompanied migrant children in Chattanooga, the Associated Press reports. The license of the Baptiste Group was suspended after an employee was arrested and charged with sexual battery following an investigation by the Department of Children’s Services into child abuse claims. Representing the Baptiste Group, attorney Mark Baugh argued that the names of the children housed at the facility would not be revealed and asked that the proceedings be kept open to the public and news outlets. Hilliard ultimately ruled that the state had an obligation to ensure the privacy of certain records that he said “outweighs any right or need for the proceeding to be made open at this point.” 

The YMCA Virtual Nationwide Judicial Competition is searching for volunteers to help score and preside over Zoom court sessions on July 27-29. Teenagers from more than 12 states will be competing. Morning sessions will run from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. CDT and afternoon sessions are from 2 to 4 p.m. CDT. Sessions are two hours in length and volunteers will need time at the end to fill out score sheets. Volunteer evaluators are also needed in both mock and appellate divisions. Those interested can sign up to volunteer online.