The flurry of opinions issued last week included one that bolstered the ability of employees to obtain accommodations at work for their religious practices, SCOTUSblog reports. The justices ruled unanimously in Groff v. Dejoy to revive a lawsuit by a Christian former mail carrier who accused the U.S. Postal Service of discrimination after being disciplined for refusing to work on Sundays. The case now goes back to the lower court for additional proceedings.

For the week of June 26, 2023 - June 30, 2023.

Camden lawyer John W. Whitworth has been named chair of the Tennessee Bar Foundation. He was installed as the 42nd chair at the foundation’s annual membership meeting. Whitworth first joined the foundation board in 2017 as a West Tennessee trustee. He previously served a three-year term as a member of the Grant Review Committee. Whitworth, a graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Law, focuses his practice on real estate, probate, estate planning and insurance defense. He also serves as judge of Benton County’s General Sessions and Juvenile Courts, and a member of the executive committee of the Tennessee Council for Juvenile and Family Court Judges. He will serve until June 2024. Read more in a release from the foundation.

Retired Nashville lawyer S. Ralph Gordon died June 30 at the age of 84. Gordon graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1960 and Vanderbilt University Law School in 1963. He practiced law from 1963 to 2023, becoming a pioneer in entertainment law. Some of his clients included George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Merle Haggard, Johnny Paycheck, Lee Greenwood, Tim McGraw, Jerry Lee Lewis, Mel Tillis, Mickey Gilley and many other performers and record labels. After his retirement, Gordon continued to represent pro bono clients. The family will hold a private burial service at Temple Micah in Brentwood. Memorial contributions may be made to Alive Hospice, 718 Patterson St., Nashville, TN 37203; Congregation Micah, 2001 Old Hickory Blvd., Brentwood, TN 37027; or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Tennessee Democrats have taken in a wave of campaign cash since Republicans removed two House members who protested the majority’s positions on gun violence, the Associated Press reports. State Rep. Justin Pearson says he raised about $860,000 through some 31,700 campaign donations, the vast majority of which came in during the days between being removed from office and being reinstated. While out of office, both Pearson and fellow expelled lawmaker Justin Jones achieved national notoriety and were able to fundraise on that momentum. While Jones’ campaign has not released the total funds it received, it benefited from a fundraising pitch from the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee and an effort by U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Connecticut, who raised more than $605,000 to split between Pearson and Jones.

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti filed a motion with the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday, asking the court for an emergency stay of a temporary partial injunction imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Eli Richardson in the case of L.W., et al. v. Skrmetti, et al. That case challenges the constitutionality of a new state law banning certain gender-related medical care for minors. Read more from the attorney general's office.

A former Metro Nashville Police Department employee was awarded $300,000 by a Davidson County jury this week after she alleged a “sexually hostile work environment” at the police department, the Nashville Post reports. The jury awarded Citlaly Gomez $450,000 in compensatory damages, but the court limited the award to $300,000, citing state law. The plaintiff is also eligible for attorney’s fees, according to the court. A Metro representative said the department is considering an appeal.

Six state-appointed Metro Nashville Airport Authority board members have been seated, airport officials announced Friday. The Tennessean reports they include: Tony Giarratana and Stuart McWhorter, appointed by Gov. Bill Lee; Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson and Jimmy Granbery, appointed by Lt. Gov. Randy McNally; and attorney Masami Tyson and Bobby Joslin, appointed by House Speaker Cameron Sexton. Two appointees from Nashville Mayor John Cooper have not been announced. Five other existing members will remain on the board, including attorney Joycelyn Stevenson, Andrew Byrd, Bill Freeman, Glenda Glover and Nancy Sullivan. Airport officials said they would abide by state law, despite concerns this week from the Federal Aviation Administration and an ongoing lawsuit challenging the new state law giving state elected leaders appointment powers on the commission.

The TBA will be closing at 3 p.m. CDT today and remain closed tomorrow, July 4, for Independence Day. The office will reopen Wednesday at 8 a.m. CDT. As always, our TBA.org website has plenty of continuing legal education options and other information available to you 24/7. Reach out to staff directly using contact information posted on our online staff directory.

The TBA Attorney Well Being Committee will host a free webinar on July 26 from 2:30-3:30 p.m. CDT to provide insight into how to find a therapist who fits your individual needs. Therapy can teach us how to have better inner dialogue, better understanding of our own quirks and foster better relationships as a result. Speakers include TBA Attorney Well Being Committee Chair Adam Hill, who handles estates and conservatorships and teaches lawyers about mindfulness techniques; Chase Pittman, a lawyer and leadership coach at Tin Man; and Lauren Castor, a clinical case manager with the Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program (TLAP). Get more information or register here.