Two police reform experts spoke during a community forum in Memphis this week about the ongoing investigation of the Memphis Police Department (MPD) and how departments in other cities have implemented recommended reforms, the Daily Memphian reports. Iris Roley, an activist from Cincinnati who was involved with reforms at that city’s police department, and Richard Jerome, deputy monitor of the New York Police Department, spoke at the event, which was sponsored by the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis. The Department of Justice announced in July that it was beginning a pattern-or-practice investigation of the MPD to examine alleged civil rights violations.

Members of the Nashville Metro Council are pushing to have every bar in Nashville certified as a "Safe Bar" to raise awareness over the dangers of date-rape drugs being slipped into drinks, reports the Tennessean. The effort comes after the Tennessean reported that nearly 25% of victims who received sexual assault exams at the Sexual Assault Center in Nashville in 2023 believe they were drugged. Staff at the center said they began tracking numbers last year after they saw an increase in people who claimed they were drugged while at downtown bars. The center’s free program Safe Bar, educates staff at local bars and restaurants on their role in preventing sexual violence, but so far, few bars have participated.

A lawyer for the Biden administration told an appeals court Tuesday that a California-based federal judge was wrong in July to block a rule imposing new restrictions on asylum seekers at the U.S.-Mexico border, reports Reuters. The regulation presumes most migrants are not eligible to apply for asylum if they pass through other nations without seeking protection there first, or if they cross the border illegally instead of arriving at a designated port of entry. A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard the government's appeal, which argued the rule is valid since it includes various exceptions to rebut the presumption that these migrants are ineligible for protection.

Jillian Ludwig, a Belmont University freshman, died Tuesday after being hit by a stray bullet while walking in a park a mile from campus in Nashville, reports the Tennessean. Shaquille Taylor was arrested and charged after an informant, video evidence and an alleged confession linked him to the shooting. Metro police said Taylor appeared to be shooting at a nearby car when a stray bullet struck Ludwig. Taylor was previously charged with aggravated assault and was ultimately found by three doctors to be incompetent to stand trial but did not meet the state standards for involuntary commitment.

The federal judiciary estimates it can maintain operations for three weeks if Congress fails to pass legislation to avert a government shutdown, reports Reuters. The new estimate is up from two weeks, which the judiciary said it could operate for the last time Congress came close to missing a funding deadline. The new projection was released Tuesday after Republicans met to discuss stopgap options to temporarily fund the government. Current funding expires Nov. 17. The judiciary says it would be able to maintain operations temporarily during a government shutdown by relying on fees and other available balances.

A Black former top lawyer at the U.S. Department of Labor has sued the department claiming he was fired in retaliation for repeatedly complaining about widespread race discrimination against attorneys there, reports Reuters. Oscar Hampton, who formerly served as a regional solicitor in Philadelphia, filed suit in federal court Tuesday seeking to get his job back and force the department to overhaul what he alleges are anti-discrimination policies. The suit also alleges that he and other Black lawyers faced systemic discrimination at the department.

Join us for the TBAs annual Environmental Law Forum on Dec. 1 at 10 a.m. CST at Baker Donelson, 1600 West End Ave, Nashville 37203. Environmental lawyers across the state rely on this annual program to keep them up to date on timely topics relevant to the practice area. Do not miss this opportunity to learn from seasoned practitioners while networking with colleagues from across the state. This CLE provides one hour of dual credit and four hours of general credit.

Do you have news to share with your colleagues about a job move, an award received or a leadership appointment? TBA members can submit their news for publication on the TBA’s online Success feature. To get started, visit our online submission form and follow the prompts for entering the information. You also can upload a press release and a photograph.

A tax and financial clinic for artists, musicians and creatives will take place Dec. 6 from 5-7 p.m. CST at the Nashville Financial Empowerment Center, 217 S. 10th St., Nashville 37206. Hosted by Volunteer Lawyers & Professionals for the Arts (VLPA), Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and the Nashville Financial Empowerment Center (FEC), the clinic is free for income-qualified artists. Clients should register by Dec. 2 to reserve a spot to talk to a tax or financial expert.

Shelby County lawyer Stephen R. Yoder was reinstated to the active practice of law yesterday after being on inactive status since Aug. 18, 2015. The Tennessee Supreme Court accepted the Board of Professional Responsibility’s recommendation that reinstatement was satisfactory and Yoder had met the requirements of the rules. He was reinstated retroactively to Oct. 31.