A recent investigation led by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office found that the Davis House Child Advocacy Center (DHCAC), a Franklin nonprofit that provides services to child abuse survivors, made questionable and unsupported credit card charges totaling at least $250,709, The Tennessean reports. The four-year investigation revealed the organization used two credit cards from different financial institutions for charges at upscale restaurants, retail stores and entertainment venues. According to the comptroller’s report, “Between 2020 and 2023, DHCAC spent more money than it could generate from revenue sources.” The center is funded by donations, fundraisers and government grants, with approximately 33% of its revenue during the investigative period coming from government sources. The findings have been submitted to district attorneys general in the 21st and 32nd judicial districts. The paper later reported that the center released a statement responding to concerns.

Doctors for America — a national network of more than 30,000 medical professionals — is seeking to join a Tennessee lawsuit to protect access to abortions when a woman's life or health are at risk. The organization filed a motion on May 30 to intervene in a suit brought by the Catholic Medical Association, The Tennessean reports. The association sued the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in January, seeking to overturn a 2022 directive that requires hospitals to provide emergency abortions under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA). Doctors for America said in its filing that it is intervening now due to the change in presidential administrations. The group, represented by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), ACLU-TN, the National Women’s Law Center and Democracy Forward, argues that a reversal of the guidance would endanger patients and create legal uncertainty for providers. Access filings in the case from ACLU-TN.

Can't join us for the full TBA Convention later this month? Or maybe you need to add a guest ticket for a specific event? Individual tickets now are available for purchase for the following events: Wednesday's opening reception; Thursday's Public Service Breakfast,  University of Tennessee Winston College of Law Breakfast, Bench Bar Luncheon and Joint Bench Bar Social Event; and Friday's breakfast and Lawyers Luncheon. Registration for individual CLEs also is now open. Don't miss Thursday's Bench Bar Program, AI in the Life of Lawyer, Legislative Update and Well-Being & the Law or Friday's Wellness Session, Legal Tech Vendor Panel and State of DEI in Legal. Get tickets here.

The Napier-Looby Bar Association will host its second annual brunch, “A Southern Summer,” on June 22, at 2 p.m. CDT at Saint Elle in Nashville, 1420 Third Ave. S, Ste. 101, Nashville 37210. The keynote speaker for the event is Davidson County Criminal Court Judge Khadija L. Babb. To register for the event visit the group's website.

Born out of efforts to crack down on illegal drag racing on Memphis interstates, the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) and Memphis law enforcement have launched the "Bluff City Task Force." The Commercial Appeal reports that the group is focused on disrupting crime through "strategic deployment of high-visibility patrols in communities facing the highest rates of violence." Task force members have recovered illegal firearms, seized drugs and arrested repeat offenders, according to a press release from the Tennessee Department of Homeland Security. “In Memphis, we are standing shoulder to shoulder — state troopers, deputies and city officers — making our streets safer one traffic stop at a time,” said THP Commander Col. Matt Perry.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) last Thursday released one of the Covenant School shooter's journals, without explanation, reports the Tennessean. In July 2024, Davidson County Chancellor I'Ashea Myles ruled that the writings would not be made public, agreeing with Covenant families that the shooter’s writings were protected by copyright laws and should not be treated as public records. Several news outlets, as well as Sen. Todd Gardenhire, R-Chattanooga, had petitioned for release of the journals, and the Tennessee Star claimed in September 2024 to have published 90 pages of the shooter's "manifesto." The Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) in April released the final report on the Covenant School shooting, concluding that the shooter, Aubrey Hale, had sought notoriety, acted alone in planning and carrying out the attack, and left no reason for the attack or choice of target. In May, former Lt. Garet Davidson was indicted on charges of stealing documents related to the shooting.

Foley & Lardner LLP has announced the opening of its newest office in Nashville with the addition of three corporate partners to support the firm’s growing Health Care & Life Sciences and Manufacturing sectors. New partners Jesse Neil, Brent Bowman and Jon Gaston join the firm from Holland & Knight LLP. Two Foley litigation partners, Kevin Hyde and Lauren Loew, also will work from Nashville to help establish and grow the office. “Nashville is a perfect fit for us. It’s a vibrant market marked by robust growth and a strong pipeline of corporate investment, particularly in health care, life sciences, manufacturing, energy and infrastructure — industries that closely align with our firm’s strengths,” said Daljit Doogal, chairman and CEO of the firm. The new office is located at 501 Commerce St., Ste. 1650, Nashville 37203 and can be reached via phone at 629-312-9200. Read more in a press release from the firm.

The annual Bench Bar Luncheon will take place June 12 as part of the TBA’s Convention as lawyers and judges from across the state gather to recognize judicial service. The keynote address will be given by Nashville lawyer Ed Yarbrough, of counsel with Spencer Fane, where he represents clients in major criminal cases and high-stakes civil litigation. Yarbrough has tried more than 160 jury cases, including more than 40 homicide cases, and has served as both prosecuting and defense attorney in matters involving white-collar crime, wrongful death, personal injury and public corruption cases. A successful trial lawyer for more than 40 years, his public service included serving as the U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee from 2007 to 2010. Also at the luncheon, Shelby County Criminal Court Judge Chris Craft will be recognized with TBA’s Justice Frank F. Drowota III Outstanding Judicial Service Award and Nashville lawyer Margaret Behm will receive the Judge Pamela L. Reeves Tennessee Professionalism Award, given jointly by the TBA and the Tennessee American Inns of Court. Make plans now to join your colleagues at this annual favorite!

A Chattanooga public charter school has agreed to pay $100,000 to the family of an 11-year-old boy, settling a federal lawsuit claiming that it wrongfully reported the student to police for an alleged threat of mass violence. WPLN News reports that the incident began when the student, nicknamed “Junior,” overheard two classmates discussing a potential school shooting and jokingly said “yes” when one appeared about to confirm the threat. Students then reported that Junior had threatened to shoot up the school. Though school administrators initially said he could return the next day, a sheriff’s deputy later handcuffed him at a family birthday dinner. The news outlet in partnership with ProPublica wrote about the case last October as part of a larger investigation into a new law in Tennessee making threats of mass violence at school a felony. According to the settlement, Chattanooga Preparatory School also agreed to implement training on how to handle threats of mass violence, including reporting only “valid” threats to police and differentiating between “clearly innocuous statements” and “imminent” violence.

The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services is officially unveiling “Promise to Call,” a new effort to prevent suicide and save lives. The initiative urges people to write down their promise, keep it nearby and share it with others to raise awareness about available resources like the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The campaign also aims to spark community conversations about suicide, reduce stigma around mental health and emphasize the life-saving power of a simple promise, Clarksville Online reports. “The concept of a promise is so simple and so universal. A promise is something that people hold dear and will remember. It is our belief that if someone makes a promise prior to a suicide crisis, it can save a life,” said Mental Health and Substance Abuse Commissioner Marie Williams. For more information email matthew.parriott@tn.gov.