Following a hearing on the state’s request for a preliminary injunction against the NCAA’s illegal name, image and likeness (NIL)-recruitment rules, Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti spoke to the media and released a prepared statement. Among his comments, Skrmetti said, “Due to the NCAA’s arbitrary and illegal rules, student-athletes are being harmed and prevented from making important decisions concerning their name, image and likeness rights — which may have a big impact on their academic and financial futures. Antitrust law in this area is clear, and as the court has previously said, our case is likely to succeed on the merits. We are happy with the case’s progression and look forward to litigating it fully if necessary.” Read the full statement. The UT Daily Beacon reports on the hearing while Knox News has photos from the day.

Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) Director Michelle Long testified before the House Finance Committee last week, telling lawmakers it has been nearly 27 years since Tennessee boosted pay for court-appointed attorneys, who often handle difficult cases involving children and families. The current situation, she said, is approaching a crisis point, the Tennessee Journal reports. Long asked the committee to restore at least some of the funds needed. She also asked the committee to fund a new human resources staff member and a full-time staff member to manage the Supreme Court’s “Justice Bus” program. The committee is conducting hearings on Gov. Bill Lee’s proposed 2024-2025 budget, which did not include funding requested by the AOC for these expenses. The TBA continues to support the AOC’s request to increase the reimbursement rate for indigent representation. Watch her tesimony beginning at 1:40:50. Please visit the TBA Government Affairs webpage for more information and to get involved with its grassroots efforts.

The TBA Young Lawyers Division will hold its Diversity Law Week next month and attorney volunteers are needed in Chattanooga. The program, a special project of YLD President Quinton Thompson, provides high school students the opportunity to visit a local courthouse, shadow and engage with practicing attorneys or judges, visit a college or law school campus, and participate in programming designed to expose them to the theory and practice of law. The week will offer a one-of-a-kind experience and an invaluable road map for those interested in pursuing a career in the law. Volunteers specifically are needed on March 11 and 12. Learn more about volunteering and sign up here.

Everyone knows that Taylor Swift is a music genius. But she has made some pretty smart moves in the courtroom as well, according to the CLE Performer Stuart Teicher. Join colleagues on March 27 at 11:30 a.m. CDT for a one-hour webcast as Teicher talks about how ethics rules have been invoked in some of Swift’s interactions with the legal system. Topics include: competence, copyright cases and frivolous claims, foregoing an FTX deal by doing diligence, the Ticketmaster debacle and improper behavior. You don’t have to be a Swiftie to attend!

U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett will not face a primary opponent this year, Tennessee Journal reports. Lenoir City tire dealer Jimmy Matlock, a former state House member who lost to Burchett in the Republican primary for the 2nd Congressional District in 2018, announced last week he would not challenge him again.

The Tennessee Attorney General’s Office Division of Consumer Affairs notified the public today of a new law impacting the recording of service contracts with registers of deeds. The new law prohibits the recording of service agreements and makes a service contract void and unenforceable if the agreement (1) purports to run with the land or be binding on future owners of interest in the real property, (2) allows for assignment of the right to provide services without notice to and consent of the residential real estate owner or (3) purports to create a lien, encumbrance or other real property security interest. The office also lays out warning signs consumers should look for when approached by companies offering a cash payment in exchange for agreeing to use their services in the future. Learn more about the law.

The American Bar Association’s (ABA) Task Force for American Democracy kicks off a series of listening tour events tomorrow with a program in Atlanta featuring local leaders, legal scholars and defenders of democracy. Speakers at “Taking the Next Step: Ensuring Trusted Elections and Civics for Georgians,” include ABA President Mary Smith, retired federal judge J. Michael Luttig and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. Ryan Germany, a partner at Gilbert Harrell Sumerford & Martin and former general counsel to the Georgia Secretary of State will moderate the discussion. The event will be held at the Bar Center of Georgia from 1-4:30 p.m. EST. To attend, RSVP here or watch a livestream. Materials for the event are online.

Nashville lawyer Richard Warren Sebastian died on Feb. 9 at the age of 59. Sebastian served as the managing partner of the Ortale Kelley Law Firm and focused his practice in the areas of real estate law, commercial transactions and corporate law. Sebastian attended Battle Ground Academy, Middle Tennessee State University, and the Nashville School of Law, graduating in 1992. Services will be held at St. Henry Catholic Church, 6401 Harding Pk., Nashville 37205, on Thursday. Visitation will be from 9-10 a.m. CST followed by a mass and burial at Harpeth Hills Memory Garden, 9090 Hwy. 100, Nashville 37221.

The TBA YLD's Diversity Law Week gives high school students the opportunity to visit a local courthouse, shadow and engage with practicing attorneys or judges, visit a college or law school campus, and participate in programming designed to expose them to the theory and practice of law. Diversity Law Week will offer participants a one-of-a-kind experience and an invaluable road map for becoming a lawyer. Volunteers are needed March 11 and 12 in Chattanooga for Diversity Law Week. Click here for more information on how you can volunteer.

The employee reported suffering several injuries, including to his head and neck, while working for the employer as a package handler. His claim was accepted as compensable and medical benefits were provided. After the authorized physicians treated and released the employee, he suffered one or more strokes, which he attributed to the work accident. After the trial court entered an order denying the employee’s claim for temporary disability and medical benefits, which we affirmed, the employer filed a motion for summary judgment, asserting that the employee had come forward with no expert medical opinion causally relating his strokes and associated medical conditions to the work accident. The trial court then granted the motion for summary judgment and dismissed the petition for benefits related to the employee’s strokes while leaving open his entitlement to future medical benefits related to the work accident. The employee has appealed. Having carefully reviewed the record, we affirm the trial court’s decision and certify the order granting summary judgment as final.