U.S. District Judge for the Western District Mark Norris yesterday ruled that the Centers for Disease Control exceeded its legal authority by issuing an order halting evictions, the Daily Memphian reports. The ruling clears the way for landlords in the Western District of Tennessee’s 22 counties to resume evicting tenants who are late in paying rent. Norris ruled in favor of seven Memphis-area landlords and property management firms who filed suit in September. They argued that Congress never authorized the CDC to impose the order. Congress did approve a six-month halt on evictions last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After it expired, the CDC extended the moratorium with the support of former President Donald Trump. However, Norris ruled there was no law authorizing the CDC to impose the order.

According to a bankruptcy plan filed late Monday night, Purdue Pharma will pay $500 million up front to settle hundreds of thousands of injury claims linked to its role in the opioid crisis, NPR reports. Billions of dollars in additional payments will be made over the next decade, with the company predicting as much as $1 billion in additional payouts happening by 2024. Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slatery today responded to the filing, calling the plan a “significant step,” but adding that the state’s “support is still contingent on remaining unresolved issues.” Two dozen state attorneys general rejected the plan, calling Purdue a “criminal enterprise” in a joint statement and demanding more money up front to help communities affected by opioid addiction.

The 25th Annual Labor & Employment Law Forum is going virtual over two days in May. The program will take place May 6-7, from 8:30 to 11:45 a.m. CDT each day. Full two-day registration as well as individual day registrations are available. Sessions will include case law updates, labor and employment issues in the COVID-19 era, what to expect from the Biden administration and an ethics update. The full two-day program will provide six hours of CLE credit (1 dual, 5 general).

Cody Smith, the director of the 12th Judicial Drug Task Force, is on administrative leave with pay after allegations following a seizure of drugs and money in Sequatchie County last year, WRCB-TV reports. District Attorney General Mike Taylor, who oversees the drug task force, told Channel 3 that the drugs and funds were not properly accounted for following the seizure. He has requested an investigation by the TBI. The 12th Judicial District includes Bledsoe, Grundy, Marion, Rhea, Sequatchie and Franklin counties.

The Tennessee Bar Association has opened the nomination period for its Fourth Estate Award: Honoring Courageous Reporting on Justice and the Law. The award honors Tennessee-based journalists who have shown exemplary courage in exercising First Amendment rights in the promotion of public understanding of the Rule of Law and how our legal system works. This year's prize includes a $250 honorarium for the winner. Entries must be for projects produced in 2020 and must be submitted by April 30. Get more information or submit a nomination.

The Tennessee Supreme Court on Friday referred the case of Knox County lawyer Keri Elizabeth Rule to the Board of Professional Responsibility for whatever action the board deems warranted. The court took the step after learning that Rule had pleaded guilty to and was convicted of the charge of driving under the influence (DUI) and two counts of reckless endangerment.

Retired Knoxville lawyer Allen J. Ware Jr. died March 2 at 92. A graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Law, Ware practiced real estate law for more than 50 years, first as a partner at Ayres, Parkey, Skaggs & Ware, and then for many years as a solo attorney. He was a member of the South Knoxville Optimist Club, West Knoxville Kiwanis Club, where he served as president, and Sons of the Revolution. He also volunteered as a Little League baseball coach, intramural basketball coach, Boy Scout leader and “Big Brother” for Kids Hope USA. The family requests memorial contributions be made to Every Home for Christ, P.O. Box 64000, Colorado Springs, CO 80962 or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Legal experts will explore the history of the troubled teen industry, addressing the current issues and progress toward reform in the second installment of the Troubled Teen Industry Webinar Series from the ABA. The free webinar will take place Friday from 3 to 4:30 p.m. EDT. Learn more about the series and register here.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is seeking a GS12/13 attorney for its Nashville District Office of Counsel. The successful candidate will serve as the primary contact for issues dealing with real property law, civil works and environmental law. To learn more about the position see the job description or contact District Counsel Jim Roth at 615-736-7692. Interested applicants must apply through USAJobs website. The application period closes on March 25.

Securing a spot at a top law school could become more difficult this year as more people with high scores on the Law School Admission Test are submitting applications, the ABA Journal reports. Based on data from Law.com, applications are up 20% compared to this point last year and up 16.8% compared to two years ago. Interest among Black and Latino applicants is also up with an increase of 24.2% and 20.1% respectively. The data also shows that LSAT scores are up. Observers suggest this may be up due to the new LSAT Flex test, which is taken from home and is shorter than the traditional test, or the free online LSAT prep being offered by the Law School Admission Council through the Khan Academy.