The Tennessee Supreme Court has reinstated four lawyers who were placed on inactive status more than five years ago: South Carolina lawyer John Errett Buis was reinstated on Feb. 26; Virginia lawyer Shannon H. Chierichella was reinstated on Feb. 18; Georgia lawyer Courtney Christian Sharp was reinstated on March 3; and Shelby County lawyer John Rolfe Windsor Jr. was reinstated on Feb. 27.

The Tennessee Supreme Court has amended Rule 21, section 4.08, subsections (a) and (c) to clarify how continuing legal education (CLE) credit may be earned for various activities. The rule currently allows the CLE Commission to award up to half of the required credits to attorneys who serve on governmental commissions, committees or other governmental bodies involved in formal sessions for review of rules or regulations. The new language specifies that the commission may award up to six general credits and up to three ethics credits for this work. It also expands eligible activities to include service on local commissions, committees or other governmental bodies and to work involving the drafting of legislation. The new language also requires that CLE hours earned for pro bono work must be done with a Tennessee organization approved by the court.

Registration is now open for the next free advice clinic for Black-owned small businesses and nonprofits, set for March 20 in Nashville. The clinic, sponsored by the Arts & Business Council's Volunteer Lawyers & Professionals for the Arts and Bradley, provides assistance with business formation and corporate governance, review of contracts and guidance in navigating local ordinances and state regulations. Register by March 17 to participate. Attorneys should email vlpa@abcnashville.org to volunteer.

President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order naming one law firm, Perkins Coie, for specific activities and directing a federal review of other law firms over diversity and inclusion initiatives. The order directs the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to “review the practices of representative large, influential, or industry leading law firms for consistency with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, including whether large law firms: reserve certain positions, such as summer associate spots, for individuals of preferred races; promote individuals on a discriminatory basis; permit client access on a discriminatory basis; or provide access to events, trainings, or travel on a discriminatory basis.” It also directs the U.S. attorney general, in coordination with the EEOC, to investigate the “practices of large law firms who do business with federal entities for compliance with race-based and sex-based non-discrimination laws and take any additional actions” deemed appropriate "in light of the evidence uncovered."

The Tennessee Supreme Court on March 5 suspended 52 attorneys who did not pay the annual professional privilege tax as required. The attorneys include those living in Tennessee as well as 11 other states. View the order or see the list with reinstatements noted.

Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly hopes federal officials will reconsider the decision to place a new federal courthouse near Vine Street, the Chattanoogan Times Free Press reports. The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) selected the site for the courthouse, which will include seven courtrooms, nine chambers and 40 parking spaces. Kelly said in an interview last week he believes there may be a change of heart regarding the location. According to Local News 3, the property owners of the site also oppose the decision, stating they repeatedly informed GSA that the properties were not for sale and advocated for an alternative location. Chattanooga city and Hamilton County officials had previously urged the federal government to consider the TVA downtown office complex. The GSA, citing a Final Supplemental Environmental Assessment, maintains that Vine Street is the most advantageous location and that the project will have no significant environmental impact. Design is expected to begin in spring 2025, with construction planned to start in spring 2027.

The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) on behalf of the Tennessee Supreme Court has proposed a plan to address the growing crisis in providing legal representation to indigent individuals in Tennessee. Under the current program, many attorneys cannot afford to take appointed cases due to low compensation and program constraints. Among the innovative elements of the plan is a proposal to utilize strategic and flexible contracting with attorneys. Contracts with attorneys would use a combination of retainer, flat fee and hourly or other contracts and would be tailored to fit the qualifications of the attorney, the complexity of the case type and the particular needs of the judicial district. In addition, attorneys would have options to contract to provide this representation for a percentage of their time, allowing appointed cases to be balanced with other clients. Learn more about the plan and indigent representation in Tennessee. Watch for more details about the plan in upcoming issues of TBA Today. 

A study by attorneys H.E. Miller Jr. and Bradley MacLean highlights disparities in Tennessee’s death penalty system, showing that individuals convicted of multiple murders often receive life sentences, while many on death row were convicted of killing a single victim, the Nashville Banner reports. The analysis found 365 cases where defendants convicted of multiple murders were not sentenced to death, while 29 of the 46 people currently on Tennessee’s death row were convicted of killing only one person. The research also reveals geographic data, with Shelby County accounting for more than half of Tennessee’s death row population, while individuals from other counties with similar crimes have fewer or no death sentences. The findings come as the Tennessee Supreme Court has begun resetting execution dates in the state.

The U.S. federal judiciary last week renewed its push for Congress to add judges to understaffed courts nationwide. During a hearing before a House Judiciary subcommittee, U.S. Circuit Judge Timothy Tymkovich urged lawmakers to revive efforts to expand the federal judiciary, citing a severe shortfall of judges that has led to case backlogs and delays in civil litigation, Reuters reports. Tymkovich highlighted a 346% increase over two decades in civil cases pending for more than three years, warning that such delays erode public confidence in the legal system. Tymkovich called for the passage of legislation to create 66 new judgeships across 13 states, a proposal that previously had bipartisan support but was vetoed by former President Joe Biden. California Republican Rep. Darrell Issa, chair of the House Judiciary Committee’s panel on courts, pledged to reintroduce the bill this year.

The Intellectual Property Webcast Series 2025: From FTC to ROI will take place on April 10 from 11 a.m. to noon CDT. This online event will cover key topics in intellectual property, with more details to be announced soon on the TBA website.