In the third episode of its multi-series event on troubled teens, the ABA presents “Institutional Child Abuse: What is it and How Can We Prevent It?” on Thursday from 11 a.m. to noon CDT. Panelists will explore institutional child abuse within the troubled teen industry and the child welfare system. Topics include what constitutes abuse in residential treatment, reasons why these issues persist, the harms and costs of unnecessary congregate care, and alternatives to congregate care. Register here for the free program.

The Tennessee Court of Workers' Compensation Claims reported today that the Tennessee General Assembly has reinstated its authority to assess attorneys fees under Tennessee Code Annotated section 50-6-226(d)(1)(B). The court may award a fee if it “makes a finding that the benefits were owed at expedited hearing or a compensation hearing" and if the date of the injury is on or after July 1, 2021, but before June 30, 2023. The court also reminds practitioners that anyone collecting a fee of $10,000 or more must file an affidavit detailing the work in the case and referencing the factors in Supreme Court Rule 8, 1.5(a).

The YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee will hold its 2021 Stand Against Racism virtual community rally this Thursday from noon to 1 p.m. CDT. The focus on this event will be addressing racism as a public health crisis. The event will include civil rights and freedom songs and spirituals, youth poetry, and speakers on the topics of health equity and justice. Register here to receive the log in information by email.

The Tennessee Supreme Court today permanently disbarred Virginia lawyer Kurt J. Pomrenke from practicing of law in the state. The court took the action after Pomrenke pled guilty to a charge of conspiracy to defraud the United States in a federal court in Virginia. He was subsequently disbarred from practicing law in Virginia. In March, the Tennessee Supreme Court asked Pomrenke why the same discipline should not be imposed here. He did not respond to the inquiry.

The Tennessee Supreme Court ruled on Monday that a general contractor has no private right of action against an insurance company for violation of a state law that requires insurers to include contractors as payees on benefit checks sent to property owners. The court said the record shows that the General Assembly intended enforcement of Tennessee Code Annotated section 56-7-111 be through a criminal penalty not a private lawsuit. The law requires an insurance company to name the general contractor as a payee on an insurance proceeds check in cases where property owners have losses of more than $1,000 to a home or other structure under a policy of property or casualty insurance.

The U.S. Census Bureau released the first set of results from the 2020 census today, The Hill reports. Tennessee’s number of congressional seats will remain unchanged. The results had been held up for months due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Trump administration's efforts to change how people were counted. Information about race, ethnicity, age and sex, as well as population numbers for counties, cities and towns is expected to be released starting in August. The new Electoral College map will take effect for the 2024 presidential race. National Public Radio reports on the process.

The Shelby County Criminal Court began its first jury trial today after a more than 13-month hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Commercial Appeal reports. The case was heard in one of two brand new courtrooms in the Criminal Justice Center at 201 Poplar. The new courtrooms, started before the pandemic, were altered to accommodate new restrictions. They are large enough for 12 jurors, alternates, attorneys and court personnel to socially distance. Witnesses sit behind a clear plastic shield while a video screen helps jurors see the witnesses up close. The court will use these new courtrooms for all trials until further notice.

The Robertson County Sheriff’s Office has created a new juvenile service division to support local children and teens. The division is designed to create positive connections between juveniles and law enforcement, while also developing programs that hold juveniles accountable for their actions. In the coming weeks, the sheriff also will create a Juvenile Task Force that will be made up of law enforcement agencies and a Youth Services Coalition that will be made up of those that provide juvenile services within the county. These groups will use professional networking to identify current issues, problem solve and share resources to address the needs of our local youth, the Tennessean reports.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit on Friday reinstated a 48-hour waiting period for women seeking abortions in Tennessee while the state appeals a ruling from the district court that the law serves no legitimate purpose, the Associated Press reports. U.S. District Judge Bernard Friedman ruled in October that the law places a substantial burden on women who seek abortions in the state. The law, enacted in 2015, requires women to make two trips to an abortion clinic — first for mandatory counseling and then for the abortion at least 48 hours later. In February, a three-judge panel of the appeals court rejected the state's request to keep the waiting period in place during the appellate process. Read the opinion and a statement from Tennessee Attorney General Herbert H Slatery III.

The U.S. Department of Justice last week approved $1.3 million in emergency funds for critical law enforcement needs in the aftermath of the Christmas Day bombing in Nashville, Fox 17 reports. “These funds are a welcome relief and come at a most critical time for our partners at the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Mary Jane Stewart. “The number of critical incidents responded to in 2020, all of which required a sustained and long-term response, greatly impacted the operational budget of our district’s largest municipal police department. These funds will help offset deficits and allow police operations to continue without major interruption.”