Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti and 20 other state attorneys general have sent a letter to the American Bar Association (ABA) demanding the group immediately stop requiring law schools, as part of the accreditation process, to comply with Standard 206, which addresses diversity and inclusion in hiring and admissions. The standard requires that schools show a “commitment to diversity and inclusion by having a faculty and staff that are diverse with respect to gender, race, and ethnicity.” The group argues that requirement runs afoul of the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision in Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President & Fellows of Harvard College.

The Tennessee Supreme Court has issued an order soliciting comments on a proposed change to Rule 31(15)(a)(5) of the Rules of the Tennessee Supreme Court. On May 16, the Alternative Dispute Resolution Commission filed a petition asking the court to consider adopting an amendment to provide a training waiver to mediators whose credentials have lapsed. Comments on the proposed change should be submitted by Aug. 2 and reference Docket #ADM2024-00714. Comments should be emailed to Clerk James Hivner or mailed to 100 Supreme Court Building, 401 7th Ave. N., Nashville, TN 37219.

The Tennessee Supreme Court is giving Hamilton County lawyer Jennifer Yates Stickley extra time to complete required CLE hours. On April 5, Stickley filed a petition for reinstatement from inactive status. The Board of Professional Responsibility stated that it had no objection to reinstatement but noted outstanding obligations with the Tennessee Commission on Continuing Legal Education. On April 16, the court issued an order that the petition would be dismissed if requirements were not met by May 31. On May 29, the commission reported that Stickley had “nearly satisfied” the requirements but likely would not complete all necessary steps by the deadline. In light of her compliance efforts, the court granted an extension of the deadline to July 1.

The law license of Shelby County lawyer Richard Alan Gordon was transferred to disability inactive status on May 31. Gordon may not practice law while on inactive status. He may return to the practice of law after reinstatement by the Tennessee Supreme Court after showing that his disability has been removed.

The Tennessee Supreme Court temporarily suspended Steven Michael Hodgen from the practice of law on May 31 after finding that he failed to respond to the Board of Professional Responsibility concerning a complaint of misconduct. Hodgen is immediately precluded from accepting any new cases and must cease representing existing clients by June 30.

The Nashville Davidson County Register of Deeds will begin operations in a new location at 300 Deaderick St. starting June 14. The office is moving from its current office at the Bridgestone Arena to a space across the street from the Historic Metro Courthouse. The last day in its current location will be June 21. The office reports that services will remain available and uninterrupted during the move. This includes filing and recording of all property documents, liens, and releases; e-recording and remote filing; information services (in person, by phone and via email); provision of document and plat copies, and voter registration. Read more in this announcement.

Registration is now open for the Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services (TALS) Equal Justice University Conference. Co-sponsored by the TBA, the conference will take place Aug. 28-30 at the Embassy Suites in Murfreesboro. This year’s event, with the theme "Cultivating Civil Justice Leaders to Protect the Promise," will feature award presentations, inspiring keynote speakers, networking opportunities, CLE sessions and other special events. EJU is the largest gathering of Tennessee's equal justice community.

New lawyers were welcomed to the legal profession at swearing ceremonies in Memphis and Jackson today. Representatives from the TBA and local bar associations were on hand to congratulate the new admittees. The Tennessee Supreme Court will hold ceremonies in Knoxville and Nashville tomorrow. See photos from today’s events.

The next legal clinic for veterans in Knoxville will take place June 12 from 12-2 p.m. EST at the Knox County Public Defender's Community Law Office in Knoxville. This is a general advice clinic sponsored by the Knoxville Bar Association, KBA Barristers, Legal Aid of East Tennessee, Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law, the University of Tennessee College of Law, the Knox County Public Defender’s Community Law Office and the local Veterans Affairs office. Sign up to volunteer here.

The Shelby County Sheriff's Office said a man incarcerated at the Shelby County Jail at 201 Poplar was found "unresponsive" in his cell Friday morning, and later died at the hospital. According to a statement from the sheriff’s office, the man, identified as Kevin B. Wright, was being housed individually and was found just after 7 a.m. Friday. A statement from the office said that "Corrections deputies immediately implemented life-saving measures, and Memphis Fire transported him to Methodist University Hospital in critical condition, where he was later pronounced deceased." The inmate was in the midst of his criminal trial, the Commercial Appeal reports. Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy has asked the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to investigate.