Former Knox County Juvenile Court Magistrate Robin Gunn has filed a federal lawsuit alleging she was illegally discriminated against and fired for opposing unconstitutional practices in the juvenile court system. Gunn, the only Black member of the county judiciary, alleges Judge Timothy Irwin and Family Services Supervisor Stacey Turpin engineered her termination after she objected to policies she claims violated due process and parental rights, and after a dispute over handling a custody case that led to an endangered child alert. Knox News reports that the suit contends her race played a role in how her actions were judged, and that she faced retaliation including reprimands, surveillance and exclusion before being fired on Sept. 16, 2024.

Phillip Young, a partner in the Nashville-based Thompson Burton law firm, has been appointed receiver for Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey amid a lawsuit alleging more than $100 million in loan defaults to Farm Credit Mid-America. According to the Nashville Post, U.S. District Judge Charles Atchley ordered the receivership, citing concerns about the company’s solvency and loan security, though Uncle Nearest’s operations will continue as usual. Company owners supported the appointment saying the move is intended to stabilize and strengthen the business. But they also blamed a former financial officer for fraudulent activity that contributed to the dispute.

The American Bar Association (ABA) has issued a public alert regarding a sharp increase in the number of individuals fraudulently posing as immigration attorneys, often falsely stating they work for reputable legal services organizations, including the ABA, or that they have special relationships with government officials. The alert comes as the ABA says it has been contacted about immigration practitioners claiming to be legally qualified to provide immigration representation despite lacking any credentials or authority. With improvements in technology, the scams may be more difficult to discern as false, the group says. Fraudsters are using ABA branding and office addresses to trade on the ABA’s reputation, often charging thousands of dollars for services that are never provided, said Adonia R. Simpson, deputy director for policy and pro bono at the ABA Commission on Immigration. Read more in a press release.

U.S. District Judge Thomas Cullen on Tuesday dismissed the Trump administration’s lawsuit against all 15 federal judges in Maryland over a standing order that briefly delays deportations for migrants who file legal challenges. Cullen called the lawsuit an improper and confrontational attack on the judiciary and criticized the impugning of judges as “unprecedented and unfortunate.” He ruled that the dispute was a political clash between branches of government and said the administration’s proper recourse is to appeal the order, not sue the entire bench. The Hill has the story.

A three-judge panel in Gibson County — comprised of Chancellor Michael Mansfield of Trenton, Judge Wyatt Burk of Shelbyville and Judge Lisa Rice of Elizabethton — ruled that Tennessee’s laws against carrying weapons “with the intent to go armed” and in state parks are unconstitutional, finding they violate both the U.S. and state constitutions. The Tennessee Lookout reports that the lawsuit, filed by Gun Owners of America, Gun Owners Foundation and several individuals, argued the statutes criminalize lawful gun carrying, effectively creating a “gun-free” zone statewide. While the panel declared the laws void, it said it did not have authority to impose an injunction, leaving enforcement in limbo. Rep. Chris Todd, R-Jackson, praised the decision but said he asked Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti to appeal the ruling for clarity on the enforcement issue. Democrats, including Sen. London Lamar of Memphis, warned the decision will worsen gun violence and hinder law enforcement’s ability to intervene before crimes occur.

TBA's "Raising the Bar" program will be held Nov. 19 at Baker Donelson in Nashville. Breakfast will begin at 9:15 a.m. with programming from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This CLE will address the age-old concept of "the grass is greener on the other side," challenging attendees to think instead that "the grass is greener where you water it." The program will encourage participants to live their best life as a lawyer by re-focusing their energy. Speakers will include Meera Ballal, Heidi Barcus, Rebecca Blair, Sherie Edwards, Psonya Hackett and Rachel Lawson. A networking reception will follow from 4:30 to 6 p.m. All times CST. Stay tuned for updates on this annual favorite produced by the Women in the Profession Committee.

The Trial Court Vacancy Commission is accepting applications to fill a vacancy on the 20th Judicial District Circuit Court in anticipation of the retirement of Judge Phillip R. Robinson on Oct. 17. The district serves Davidson County. The Third Circuit Court primarily handles domestic relations cases. Applicants must be licensed attorneys in Tennessee, at least 30 years old and state residents for five years, and reside in the judicial district. A public hearing for the position will be held Oct. 15 at 9 a.m. CDT at the Nashville School of Law, 4013 Armory Oaks Dr., Nashville 37204. The application and instructions are available here. Applications must be received by the Administrative Office of the Courts by noon Sept. 12. For more information, contact Assistant General Counsel John Jefferson at john.jefferson@tncourts.gov or 615-241-2687.

The TBA Young Lawyers Division will host its “Exploration CLE: Does It Please the Court?” on Oct. 10 at Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park in Millington from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. CDT. The outdoor program offers three hours of CLE credit and features sessions including “Does It Please the Court?” with Tennessee Supreme Court Justices Holly Kirby and Mary Wagner; “The Ethics of Saying No” with Constance Brown, Nicole Grida, Will Perry and Faith Watson; and “Outside-of-the-Box Advocacy” with Jessica Van Dyke of the Tennessee Innocence Project. Memphis lawyers and YLD leaders Jennifer Sneed and Quinton Thompson will serve as moderators. Attendees also will enjoy a complimentary lunch and a ranger-led nature hike. For more information and to register, visit the TBA website. 

Tennessee schools can now more quickly remove some students with disabilities from their classrooms. According to The Commercial Appeal, the state Board of Education has approved an amended rule allowing schools to temporarily remove students before a formal behavioral assessment is completed or started. Under the policy, a student may be temporarily moved to a special education setting or alternative school, but the decision must be made by the student’s Individualized Education Program team rather than a single educator. Board members said the change clarifies a 2022 rule that some districts had interpreted to mean students could not be removed until an assessment was finished, a process that can take months.

The Legal Aid Society of the Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands will host an evening celebration and fundraiser on Sept. 20 from 6 to 10 p.m. CDT. According to organizers, the evening will celebrate "justice, dignity and the power of coming together." Guests will enjoy delicious local fare, curated cocktails and inspiring stories that highlight the life-changing work made possible through donor support. All proceeds from the event will directly benefit Legal Aid Society’s mission to provide free civil legal services to low-income and vulnerable Tennesseans across 48 counties. The event will take place at Clementine Hall, 4710 Charlotte Ave., Nashville, 37209. View the invitation and register online.