A bill aimed at identifying and supporting ways to increase music-related tourism across the country passed the U.S. Senate last Wednesday. The American Music Tourism Act of 2025 was introduced by Republican Rep. Diana Harshbarger of Kingsport and Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Brentwood. According to WBIR, the bill directs the assistant secretary of commerce for travel and tourism to help facilitate incentives and conferences to boost music-related tourism, with an emphasis on “rural and other destinations” that are “rich in cultural heritage or ecological tourism” for international meetings, conferences or exhibitions. The bill passed the U.S. House with bipartisan support in April.

Nashville lawyer Laura Kidwell will receive the Tennessee Bar Association’s (TBA) prestigious Justice Joseph W. Henry Award for Outstanding Legal Writing on June 13 during the group's Annual Convention in Franklin. The award, which will be presented at the Lawyers Luncheon, was established more than 40 years ago and is given each year to the lawyer who writes the most outstanding article published in the Tennessee Bar Journal for the preceding year. Kidwell is being honored for her article It Is So Ordered: A Primer on Tennessee’s Final Judgment Rule, which appeared in the March/April 2024 issue of the Journal. Kidwell is a legal consultant for the University of Tennessee (UT) – Municipal Technical Advisory Service where she serves cities and towns in Middle Tennessee. Prior to joining UT last fall, she served at the Office of the Tennessee Attorney General (AG) and Reporter in the Solicitor General’s Office. 

In announcing the selection of Kidwell, TBA President Ed Lanquist Jr. said, “Laura's winning article is exactly what the Joe Henry Award sets out to honor: straightforward and concise writing that explains the legal process of the final judgment rule in civil actions, as well as its exceptions.” The award is named for Joseph W. Henry, a former chief justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court, who was known for his forthright and clear writing. Read more in a press release from the TBA.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday extended its ban on the removal of Venezuelan men currently in immigration custody in Texas, under the Alien Enemies Act, SCOTUSblog reports. In an unsigned opinion, the justices found that the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals erred when it dismissed the detainees’ appeal of their removal based on a belief that it lacked authority to review it. The justices sent the case back to the appeals court for a determination of the procedures detainees are entitled to in order to challenge their removal. The opinion also stressed that it was not addressing the underlying question of whether detainees can be removed under the Alien Enemies Act. Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas issued a dissent saying the court had “no authority to issue any relief.” Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote a short concurring opinion arguing that the Supreme Court should have resolved the issue itself, rather than sending it back to the lower court. In March, the administration initiated efforts to remove noncitizens designated as members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua under the Alien Enemies Act. Lower courts, including those in Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington, D.C., have issued various rulings on the effort.

The special TBA group rate for the 2025 Annual Convention in Nashville has been extended through May 21 at 5 p.m. CDT Make your reservation now at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs to take advantage of this exclusive rate. This year’s convention, set for June 11–14, features engaging programming, valuable networking opportunities and memorable social events. Don’t miss out — book your room today!

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti joined a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general from 39 states and territories in opposing a proposed federal amendment that would bar states from regulating artificial intelligence (AI) products. In a letter led by the attorneys general of Tennessee, Colorado, New Hampshire and Vermont, the group urged Congress to reject the AI-related provision in the budget reconciliation bill, warning that it would strip away critical consumer protections without establishing a sufficient federal framework. Skrmetti said in a release that eliminating state oversight would leave Americans vulnerable to privacy violations, consumer exploitation and antitrust abuses. The letter emphasizes that states have been at the forefront of regulating emerging technologies and are best positioned to respond to the evolving risks posed by AI.

The TBA’s Litigation Practice Section will host “Perspectives From the Bench: A Conversation with Justice Sarah Campbell and Justice Mary Wagner” on June 5 at the offices of Miller & Martin in Chattanooga. The event, part of the section’s ongoing speaker series, will feature a moderated discussion with the Tennessee Supreme Court justices, led by attorneys Mary Taylor Gallagher and Zac Greene. Topics will include the justices’ paths to the bench, mentorship, judicial interaction and the role of the Rule of Law in society. For more information and to register, visit TBA’s website.

U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles is calling for federal investigations into Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell, alleging the mayor is interfering with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. Ogles, who represents Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District, said he will formally request that the House Judiciary and Homeland Security committees open inquiries into whether O’Connell directed city agencies to obstruct or monitor ICE activity. According to NewsChannel 5, Ogles claims O’Connell instructed local police to report any communication with federal immigration authorities and encouraged the public to file complaints against officers who cooperate with ICE. Ogles publicly accused O’Connell of using his office to shield undocumented immigrants and block lawful enforcement efforts, and said he has shared those concerns with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. A formal investigation has not been launched, but Ogles said he plans to move forward with the request.

Attorney well-being and burnout remain pressing concerns across corporate legal departments and law firms, according to the latest Bloomberg Law Attorney Workload and Hours Survey conducted in the second half of 2024. The survey gathered responses from attorneys on key issues including the gap between hours worked and billed, job satisfaction, retention trends, burnout rates and workflow efficiency. The findings offer insight into the current challenges facing the legal profession. A copy of the survey results is available for download at Bloomberg Law.

A federal jury on Friday found former Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada guilty on 17 of 19 charges and his former chief of staff, Cade Cothren, guilty on all 19 counts. Casada and Cothren each face up to 20 years in prison at sentencing, and attorneys for both men said they plan to appeal, The Tennessean reports. Casada was acquitted on two fraud charges but convicted of conspiracy to commit theft and fraud, theft, bribery and kickbacks, honest services wire fraud, use of a fictitious name, money laundering conspiracy, and money laundering. The trial included key testimony from former Rep. Robin Smith, R-Hixson, an alleged co-conspirator, as well as Office of Legislative Administration Director Connie Ridley, both of whom played central roles in the prosecution’s case. Read more in a press release from the U.S. attorneys office.

Gov. Bill Lee has signed a bill into law protecting educators and school contractors from disciplinary action and lawsuits if they misgender or deadname students, staff or others within their school district, WBIR reports. In addition, the new law shields public schools and districts from liability in such cases. Those who are disciplined may sue for monetary damages after going through a complaint process. The law, which was sponsored by Rep. Mark Cochran, R-Englewood, in the House and by Sen. Paul Rose, R-Covington, in the Senate, also prohibits schools and teachers from requiring students, employees or contractors to share preferred pronouns and names, and educators may not ask students to refer to them by a preferred pronoun. For institutions of higher education, the bill prohibits the disciplining of students, faculty, employees or contractors who refuse to provide preferred pronouns. The law went into effect on May 9.