Baker Donelson provided pro bono support for the recently published 2020 State Index on Youth Homelessness, the firm announced earlier the week. The index is produced by the National Homelessness Law Center and True Colors United. It evaluates all 50 states and the District of Columbia on efforts to prevent and end youth homelessness. Baker Donelson donated the efforts of 15 attorneys, three summer associates and four pro bono fellows, who spent nearly 500 hours researching information for the report. The team was overseen by lead attorney Ashley Cullinan in Baltimore, Pro Bono Shareholder Samuel T. Bowman and Chief Diversity Officer Mark A. Baugh in Nashville, and Noah Kressler, chair of Baker Donelson's LGBTQ resource group BakerPride in New Orleans.

The Belmont College of Law's Mock Trial Team won the Region 2 championship in the American Association of Justice’s Student Trial Advocacy Competition earlier this month. The team claimed the title by going undefeated in five rounds, including a victory over Baylor University in the finals. It now advances to the national competition, which will be held April 15 to 18. This is the second consecutive year Belmont has won its regional competition, the school announced this week. Team members are Tate Ducker, Hannah Huffman, Ella Mohyeddin and Philip Wyman.

Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors is holding a free virtual seminar on March 25 at 2 p.m. CDT to provide an overview of the U.S. immigration system and the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Topics will include a history of DACA, the eligibility requirements for and benefits of DACA, how to prepare initial and renewal DACA applications, and how to work with immigrant youth. Learn more and register here.

State Sen. Mike Bell, a Republican from Riceville and chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said this week that he is planning to introduce legislation that would move cases against the state to different jurisdictions, Tennessee Lookout reports. While the bill’s language is not settled yet, Bell said it could move cases to surrounding counties, one the state’s three grand divisions or special judicial panels. Currently, cases against the state are filed in Davidson County courts. In discussing the reasoning for his idea, Bell said, “… why should a chancellor who’s elected by the most liberal constituency in the state of Tennessee be making the decisions for all the state …?" He cited a decision by Davidson County Chancellor Anne Martin that the governor’s education savings account program was unconstitutional and a decision by Chancellor Ellen Hobbs Lyle to expand absentee voting as examples for why such a move is needed.

Shelby County General Sessions Judge Deborah M. Henderson was honored today with the Grayfred Gray Public Service in Mediation Award at the Tennessee Association of Professional Mediators' annual meeting. The association selected Henderson for the award for her work creating and expanding the general session court’s mediation program, and more recently, encouraging other judges to refer cases to a local mediation center during the pandemic. The award is named for Grayfred Gray, who served for 28 years on the faculty of the University of Tennessee College of Law and founded the college’s mediation clinic. Gov. Lee has proclaimed March 2021 as Mediation Month in Tennessee.

Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee & the Cumberlands will hold four phone clinics this week for members of the public with questions about housing and renters’ rights, bankruptcy, medical bills, debt collection, domestic violence, SNAP benefits and unemployment benefits. Clinics are Monday from 3 to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday from 3 to 4 p.m., Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Saturday from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. All times central. LAS is looking for attorneys to help answer questions. To volunteer, contact Andrae Crismon or Kendra Cheek or call 615-780-7131.

The social influencer marketing industry is expected to be worth more than $15 billion in 2022. As the value of these services increase and contracts become more complicated, attorneys will be needed to help advise influencers. To learn more about this developing practice area, make plans to join colleagues for a webcast on March 25 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. CDT. Topics will include laws related to social media promotions, contests and giveaways; how to negotiate deals for influencers, including common contractual terms; and how influencers can protect their intellectual property through trademark and copyright laws.

Tracy Anne Eaton of Des Moines, Iowa, filed a petition for reinstatement to the practice of law in Tennessee on Nov. 2, 2020. On Nov. 17, 2020, the Tennessee Commission on Continuing Legal Education filed a response in opposition to the petition, citing Eaton’s failure to pay fees and establish compliance with mandatory CLE requirements for two compliance years. The commission sent two letters to Eaton notifying her of its position. She did not respond. The Tennessee Supreme Court dismissed her petition on Feb. 22 without prejudice.

Three lawyers have been reinstated to the practice of law after being moved to inactive status more than five years ago. They are: Joe Blackburn Brown and Brien Philip Campbell of Davidson County and Brian Jamie Hunt of Anderson County.

A new episode of the TBA Member Spotlight Series is available today, featuring a conversation between TBA President Michelle Greenway Sellers and Chancellor JoeDae Jenkins of Memphis. Jenkins discusses his passions outside of the law, how to educate the community about the important role the judiciary plays in their everyday lives and more. Catch up on past episodes, like Michelle’s conversation with HCA Senior HR Counsel and TBA Chief Diversity Officer Mary Beard and 26th Judicial District Assistant District Attorney and TBA YLD President Terica Smith.