The TBA will host its 2026 Federal Practice Forum as a live virtual program on July 14 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CDT. The program will feature three sessions covering First Amendment issues, ethical rules governing communications with judges and immigration law developments. Speakers will include Audrey Calkins of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee; Michael Holly of the Office of the Federal Public Defender; U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee Judge Eli Richardson; and Joseph Jackson of Spears, Moore, Rebman & Williams. The forum is designed to provide practical guidance and timely updates for attorneys practicing in federal courts. For more information and to register visit the TBA website.

The University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law hosted a reception honoring Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Holly M. Kirby ahead of her retirement at the end of June. Kirby earned her law degree from Memphis Law in 1982. The event — held in the law school's Gordon Ball Reading Room — was co-sponsored by the Memphis Bar Association and Burch, Porter & Johnson and brought together members of the legal community to celebrate Kirby's years of service on the bench. See photos from the event.

New lawyers were welcomed to the legal profession at swearing ceremonies in Knoxville, Nashville, Memphis and Jackson. Representatives from the TBA and local bar associations were on hand to congratulate the new admittees, who passed the February bar exam. See photos from the events.

A panel of judges on the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals recently rejected an Ohio lawyer’s bid to revive his disability discrimination claim. Bloomberg Law reports that Daniel Lonergan was seeking to sue his previous law firm employer alleging that he was fired after the firm rejected accommodation requests for his attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The judicial panel found that Lonergan failed to establish that he met the initial criteria for claiming bias under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The panel decision upheld a lower court’s dismissal of the case. Lonergan represented himself in the litigation. Read the court’s opinion, which was not recommended for publication.

The U.S. House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday advanced a proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution to limit the number of justices on the U.S. Supreme Court. Often called the "Keep Nine" amendment, the measure would permanently cap the number of justices on the court at nine. According to Reuters, lawmakers said the move was necessary to block Democratic members from “packing” the court if they regain control of Congress. The committee voted 15-8 along party lines to move the measure forward. To take effect, the amendment would need a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate and 38 states would need to vote to ratify it.

The U.S. Justice Department has announced the Model Cities Initiative (MCI), a whole-of-city approach directing nearly $300 million in federal funding to transform public safety in America’s cities. Through this initiative, two to four cities will be selected to receive awards supporting the implementation of comprehensive and innovative strategies to reduce crime, restore law and order and enhance public safety. Proposals from qualifying cities are due Sept. 1 and should be emailed to MCIapplications@usdoj.gov. Additional information about the award is available at www.justice.gov/grants.

The Nashville Banner writes in a recent piece that files unsealed in the case of former Davidson County Criminal Court Judge Cheryl Blackburn show concerns about her final days on the bench. According to the paper, the documents reveal that local attorneys grew increasingly concerned about Blackburn’s ability, at times, to comprehend the most basic legal concepts and to render the most rudimentary decisions in the years after a 2021 stroke. Attorneys who sought to disqualify Blackburn from a 2024 rape trial acknowledged her stature in the legal community and the likely impact of their request. Ultimately, though, they felt that “the gravity of that concern has been weighed and measured against the gravity of the rights of the accused.” The Banner sued to access many of these filings. The Tennessee Supreme Court recently found the records had been improperly sealed. Davidson County Criminal Court Judge Angelita Blackshear Dalton officially unsealed the filings this week.

The ABA Judicial Division will present “Order in the Court: Civility in Action” — a 90-minute webinar on June 12. The program will be the first from the new ABA Center for Civic Engagement, Education and Rule of Law. The session, free for ABA members and offered to others for a nominal cost, will begin at 3 p.m. EDT. “Disagreeing Better” is a nonpartisan initiative designed to model and promote how lawyers, judges and legal professionals can engage in civil, informed and constructive dialogue while disagreeing on important issues. The program will feature real-world examples and a candid discussion on how everyday interactions can strengthen institutional trust. Read more about the program or register here.

The 32nd Judicial District court recently held a portrait unveiling and reception for Judge Michael “Mike” E. Spitzer, who retired last year. Judge William K. Lane III, who replaced Spitzer, writes that Spitzer played a critical role in the establishment of the judicial district and was the first judge to be elected in the district, which serves Hickman, Lewis and Perry counties. The district was created to help with a growing caseload in the 21st Judicial District due to Williamson County's rapid growth. Spitzer previously sat as one of five judges in the 21st District. See a photo of Spitzer and his family at the ceremony.

A news item in yesterday's issue of TBA Today about Robertson County Attorney Clyde Richert misstated the length of his legal career and county service, and implied he was retiring from law practice. In an email to TBA, Richert says he has practiced law in Springfield for 49 years and has served as Robertson County attorney for 36 of those years. He is retiring from his role as county attorney effective July 1 but will continue his private law practice for now.