The Appalachian Public Interest and Environmental Law (APIEL) Conference is an annual gathering of lawyers, scientists, students and members of the general public to discuss environmental issues and happenings in Appalachia, public policy and grassroots initiatives. The 16th annual event will be held Oct. 25-26 at the University of Tennessee College of Law. The conference is accepting proposals until May 1 for presentations, panels, workshops and discussions that address critical issues in environmental law and justice. Contact conference organizers Samantha Brooks or Sydney Ross with questions.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced last week that more relief money will be on its way to East Tennessee by March 21. The funds are a part of a more than $100 billion aid package that Congress passed in late December 2024. The American Relief Act was signed into law by former President Joe Biden and offered a 90-day deadline for funds to be dispersed. The act allocates $8 billion to rebuild damaged roads and highways, $12 billion in grants to help communities and individuals recover and $2.2 billion in low-interest loans for businesses, nonprofits and homeowners; aids farmers and ranchers; and gives the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) $29 million to help to pay for temporary housing, home repairs, medical expenses or other disaster-related needs. Knox News has the story.

Tennessee Attorney General (AG) Jonathan Skrmetti has announced that a bipartisan coalition of states has reached a final settlement — pending court approval — in a lawsuit against the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA), which will end the NCAA’s NIL (name, image and likeness) recruiting ban. Skrmetti and Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, along with the Florida, District of Columbia and New York attorneys general, filed a federal lawsuit against the NCAA in January 2024, alleging that the NIL recruiting ban created anticompetitive restrictions that violate federal antitrust law and harm current and future student-athletes. Read more a press release from the AG's office.

The appellant filed a civil summons in the general sessions court, asserting that items she had pawned at one of the appellee’s locations were returned to her damaged. After the appellant failed to appear at the initial hearing, the matter was dismissed. The appellant appealed the dismissal to the circuit court, which found that the appeal was not timely filed and dismissed the appeal. On appeal in this Court, we have determined that the appellant’s brief is deficient under Tennessee Rule of Appellate Procedure 27 and dismiss the appeal.

In this case involving termination of the mother’s parental rights to her daughter, the trial court found that three statutory grounds for termination had been proven by clear and convincing evidence. The trial court further found that clear and convincing evidence demonstrated that termination of the mother’s parental rights was in the child’s best interest. The mother has appealed. Discerning no reversible error, we affirm the trial court’s judgment.

In this compensation appeal, the employee suffered a compensable injury and entered into a court-approved settlement agreement for payment of her “original award.” She later filed a petition for additional disability benefits, asserting that her wages after she was placed at maximum medical improvement were significantly less than her wages prior to the work accident, thereby entitling her to increased benefits. In response, the employer asserted the employee’s base rate of pay at the time her initial compensation period ended was higher than her base rate of pay at the time of the injury. Both parties filed competing motions for summary judgment. Following a hearing, the court granted the employer’s motion and dismissed the employee’s petition for increased benefits, and the employee has appealed. Because the employee has offered no legal argument in support of her position on appeal, we affirm the trial court’s order and certify it as final.

U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts issued a rare public statement Tuesday after President Donald Trump's call to impeach a federal judge who ruled against his administration in a high-profile deportation case. “For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision. The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose,” Roberts said. In his 2024 year-end report, Roberts reiterated concerns about judges’ safety and condemned elected officials who intimidate judges or defy court rulings. The Hill has more.

The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) on behalf of the Tennessee Supreme Court has proposed a new structure for handling the appointment of attorneys in indigent cases. One question that has been raised is why the AOC chose to propose a new system rather than work to raise the hourly rate of compensation. In a recent interview with TBA President Ed Lanquist Jr., AOC staff explained they were encouraged to look at different approaches and be experimental, proactive and forward thinking. In addition to increasing compensation, the proposed plan also is designed to increase the number of attorneys willing to take cases and get those attorneys paid quicker and on a more regular basis. The AOC staff also noted that several states that have raised their hourly rates — in one case, double of what Tennessee pays — still struggle to find enough lawyers to take cases. As part of this plan, the AOC is asking for an additional $17 million in recurring funding, which will allow it to build out the new system and increase compensation — a win for lawyers and the judicial system. Watch the full interview or learn more about the plan and indigent representation in Tennessee.

The Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law (LMU Law) has announced the appointment of Caitlin Torney as its new director of career services and alumni relations. Torney earned both her undergraduate and law degrees from Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Since 2020, Torney has served as director of pro bono for Legal Aid of East Tennessee. She also has served as co-chair of the Knoxville Bar Association's Access to Justice Committee since 2023. LMU Law Vice President and Dean Matt Lyon said, “[Caitlin] is uniquely situated to build on the foundation our Career Services Office has created with employers throughout our region and beyond, while also expanding pro bono and service opportunities for our students and graduates.” Read more in a press release from the school.

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights reports it has opened two investigations into American universities. The first is looking at 60 universities — including the University of Tennessee (UT) — over allegations of antisemitic discrimination and harassment. UT was included on the list due to it being “under investigation or monitoring in response to complaints.” According to Knox News, a university spokesperson confirmed a student complaint was filed in 2023, but that the school has “cooperated fully” with the department. A second investigation was opened into 45 universities — including Vanderbilt University — alleging the institutions engaged in race-exclusionary practices by partnering with “The Ph.D. Project,” an organization that provides doctoral students with insights into obtaining an advanced degree. The department says the program limits eligibility based on the race of participants.