The U.S. Postal Service will honor the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg as “an icon of American culture” with a stamp in the new year, the Associated Press reports. The design, unveiled this week, is a painted portrait based on a photo of Ginsburg in a black robe with an intricate white collar. The postal service did not say when the stamp would be available for purchase. Ginsburg died in 2020 at the age of 87.

Average annual pay for U.S. law firm partners reached new heights in 2021, as increased client demand buoyed firm profits, according to a report by Major, Lindsey & Africa. But a gender pay gap persists. Male partners reported average compensation of $1.21 million in 2021, while female partners said they received an average of $905,000. The 34% gap has narrowed from 44% in 2020. The survey also looked at pay by practice area. Among the seven areas studied, corporate partners reported the highest average total compensation, followed by litigation partners. Labor and employment partners reported the lowest average total compensation. Tax partners reported the only decline from 2020. Read more from Reuters or access the full report.

Nominations for two awards recognizing outstanding lawyers in the Memphis Bar Association are due Nov. 11. The Sam A. Myar, Jr. Memorial Award is presented to an MBA member who is 40 years of age or younger and has rendered outstanding personal service to the local legal profession and community. Access the nomination form or see past recipients. The Judge Jerome Turner Lawyer’s Lawyer Award is given to an MBA member who has practiced for at least 15 years and exemplifies the aims and aspirations embodied in the Guidelines for Professional Courtesy and Conduct. Submit a nomination or see past recipients of the award.

Six Nashville children born addicted to opioids are being represented by Nashville law firm Branstetter, Stranch & Jennings in a suit targeting opioid manufacturers, distributors and pharmacies. The suit also names several individuals and local companies, including some who face federal charges, the Tennessean reports. The children, now between two and eight years old, were born dependent to opioids and suffered extreme withdrawal symptoms. The case was originally filed in Davidson County Circuit Court but recently was moved to federal court. Branstetter, Stranch & Jennings has been at the forefront of Tennessee litigation related to the opioid crisis. Lead attorney Tricia Herzfeld said it is the firm’s first suit to be filed in Davidson County.

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito said the leak of his draft opinion eliminating the constitutional right to abortion made members of the majority “targets for assassination.” Speaking in Washington, D.C., yesterday, Alito gave no indication the court has determined who leaked the opinion but called it a “grave betrayal of trust by somebody.” Alito said the leak gave people a “rational reason to think they could prevent” the decision from being issued “by killing one of us.” He also directly linked the leak to a planned attempt to kill Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Alito also addressed proposals to expand the size of the court, the impact of the Citizens United case and the state of free speech on college campuses. Read more from Bloomberg Law.

Former Tennessee House Speaker Beth Harwell contends the transfer of money from her state political action committee to a super PAC that supported her failed congressional bid this summer was legal. But a watchdog group says Harwell’s actions are “outside the law,” which prohibits more than $5,000 in state election funds from being used for federal campaigns, Tennessee Lookout reports. The Campaign Legal Center says it is considering filing a complaint with the Federal Election Commission against the campaign. Harwell claims the use of the funds was vetted by attorneys and accountants working for her campaign. Harwell lost the Republican primary for the seat to former Maury County Mayor Andy Ogles.

Tennessee lawmakers continued their review of the Department of Children’s Services (DCS) this week, Tennessee Lookout reports. DCS Commissioner Margie Quinn told members of the Joint Ad Hoc Committee on Juvenile Justice that department resources have been stretched to the breaking point, and children are sleeping on office floors or languishing in juvenile detention centers due to lack of space. “We are kind of full up on our bed situation, so we are hopeful the committee will make recommendations to help us alleviate the capacity and available bed situation,” Quinn said. She also argued that staffing shortages, driven by low pay, keep the state from fully utilizing facilities.

Tennessee Rep. Barbara Cooper, D-Memphis, the oldest serving legislator in state history, died Tuesday at the age of 93. She served in the legislator for more than 25 years, the Commercial Appeal reports. Cooper was first elected in 1996 to District 86. During her tenure, she served on the Health and Safety Committee and the Agricultural and Natural Resources Committee. Cooper earned a bachelor's and master's degree from Tennessee State University and a doctorate degree in religious philosophy and Christian psychology from the Jackson Theological Seminary. Tributes from colleagues include remarks from House Minority Leader Karen Camper, who said Cooper “was a warrior for her community and the City of Memphis, a tireless advocate on education and equality issues and just a delightful person.” Funeral information has not yet been announced.

Tennessee Republican Sen. Rusty Crowe is facing his first challenger in 22 years, Tennessee Lookout reports. The challenge comes from fellow Johnson City resident Kate Craig. Democrats have long sought to find a candidate to run against Crowe for the District 3 seat. In the August primary both candidates ran unopposed. Craig says she would like to see the state’s abortion trigger law pulled back, public schools fully funded and creation of a state hospital oversight board. The publication reports that Crowe declined to be interviewed for the story.

Legal Aid of East Tennessee (LAET) is seeking a full-time staff attorney available to work out of the Johnson City and Chattanooga offices. Candidates must be admitted to the Tennessee Bar or able to waive into Tennessee. Salary dependent upon experience. Continuation of this position is contingent on grant funding. Position is anticipated to begin immediately. Learn more about the opening and get details on how to apply on TBA’s JobLink platform.