This year’s Elder Law Basics forum will take place virtually on April 11. Designed for attorneys new to this practice area, the program will provide essential information on powers of attorney, pre-admission evaluations, real estate in elder law, how clients can find and afford health care in retirement, and ethics.

The Elder Law Forum will take place in-person July 19 at the Belmont University College of Law. This annual staple provides insight from top professionals while allowing attendees to meet with other lawyers in the practice area. Topics will include litigation in elder law, dementia concerns, conservatorships, helping clients suffering from dementia, ethics, and much more. Learn more on the TBA CLE website.

On Monday, the Tennessee Supreme Court reinstated the law licenses of two attorneys who had been on inactive status. Memphis lawyer and former federal judge Bernice Bouie Donald had been on inactive status since March 26, 2012. She was reinstated effective Jan. 26. Florida lawyer Tracey Robinson-Coffee had been on inactive status since April 23, 2013. She was reinstated effective Jan. 11.

The U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee is accepting comments regarding the reappointment of two incumbent magistrate judges: U.S. Magistrate Judge Alistair Newbern and U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffery S. Frensley. Newbern’s term will expire on Aug. 31, while Frensley’s term will expire on Oct. 9. Comments from the public and the legal community are encouraged and should be submitted by March 31 by email to MJComments@tnmd.uscourts.gov. Read more in a release from the court.

Former Republican lawmaker Scott Campbell is claiming he was forced to resign as part of a cover-up for a Republican leader, WKRN reports. Campbell quit the legislature in 2023 after sexual harassment allegations came to light. A state investigation found Campbell violated harassment policy in his interaction with an intern. Campbell defended the interactions as “consensual” conversations. Now he is suing for records he says will help clear his name.

State Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville, has confirmed that she plans to run for her current state House District 90 seat in addition to running for the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn. The Tennessee Journal reports that Johnson says she is aware of attempts to block that ability. Legislation that would bar candidates for state and federal offices from appearing on primary or general election ballots for two or more offices is being promoted by two Knoxville Republicans: Senate State and Local Government Chair Richard Briggs and Rep. Dave Wright. The bill would allow for a few exceptions, including if the candidate already holds two offices and for purely political offices such as party state executive committees.

Just a few spots remain to travel to Ireland with the TBA in May. The Law & Culture in Ireland CLE program will take place May 7-13. Two travel options are available: a four-night trip to Dublin and a six-night trip to Dublin and Belfast. In conjunction with CLE Abroad, travelers will engage with local experts, academics, officials and change makers who will offer in-depth commentary on the EU and UK legal-political systems, economics, environmental justice, history and religion. In Dublin, the group also will explore ancient castles, visit landmarks, museums and notable legal institutions, and sample local cuisine. In Belfast, travelers will learn about the region's unique political history, the Good Friday Agreement, ongoing reconciliation efforts and the peace process. Add on trips to the West Coast and Cliffs of Moher also are available. View a brochure here.

In addition to the opportunity to view the first episode of Henry Louis Gates Jr.'s history series in Chattanooga, a free watch party is scheduled for the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville. The event will take place Monday from 6-9 p.m. CST at the museum, located at 510 Broadway, Nashville 37203. A panel discussion will follow the screening. Sponsored by the museum and Nashville Public Radio, the event will feature the first installment of a four-part series that takes a deep dive into the origin story of Black spirituality through sermon and song. RSVP here.

The Napier-Looby Bar Association (NLBA) has a number of programs and events scheduled throughout the month in honor of Black History Month. These include the inaugural NLBA Day on the Hill on Feb. 20, a program for pre-law students on Feb. 21 and a program on banned books on Feb. 27. The Day on the Hill will include a discussion with state Sen. Rameush Akbari, D-Memphis, attending committee meetings and experiencing a mock legislative session. Sign up here to participate or email napierlooby@gmail.com with any questions. In addition, the Napier-Looby Bar Foundation will hold its 17th Annual Barristers’ Banquet and Awards Program on Feb. 22 at 14 Tenn in Nashville. The reception, which will take place before the banquet, will honor the late Judge Richard Dinkins. Tickets are available for purchase. Questions about the event can be directed to napierloobybarfoundation@gmail.com.

HELENE N. WHITE, Circuit Judge. Plaintiff-Appellant Stephen Caudle appeals the grant of summary judgment to his employer in this Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and Michigan Whistleblower Protection Act (WPA) case, alleging that he was fired in retaliation for attempting to report unlawful employment practices. We REVERSE and REMAND for further proceedings.

The Defendant, Ginny Elizabeth Parker, was convicted following a bench trial of five counts of forgery, for which she received an effective six-year sentence to serve. On appeal, the Defendant argues that: (1) the evidence is insufficient to support her forgery convictions, specifically regarding whether she acted without authorization; (2) the trial court shifted the burden of service of medical records pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated section 24-7-122(c) from the State to the Defendant; (3) the trial court erroneously admitted proof of a PayPal account that was linked to the victims’ bank account; (4) she is entitled to relief based on cumulative error; and (5) her sentence is grossly disproportionate to her offenses, in violation of the Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution and article I, section 16 of the Tennessee Constitution. Following our review, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.