A lawsuit against the Diocese of Nashville, alleging that the institution knew of an employee's predatory behavior but failed to act, will proceed after a judge denied a motion for summary judgment, the Nashville Banner reports. The lawsuit claims the diocese was aware as early as 2008 that a religious studies director posed a risk to young girls. Despite this knowledge, the suit continues, the employee was allowed to continue working, eventually abusing a 13-year-old student. The plaintiff says she did not become aware of the connection between the abuse and her subsequent emotional distress until 2019. Under Tennessee law, survivors of childhood sexual abuse have three years from the moment they discover they were abused to take civil action. In May, the diocese filed a motion for summary judgment arguing the statute of limitations had run. The court found that a jury could reasonably find that the statute had not run out.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture recently introduced new permanent rules for hemp and hemp-derived cannabinoid (HDC) products, as well as for hemp producers and retailers. Among the changes are regulations limiting the retail sale of THCA, or tetrahydrocannabinolic acid products, reported as the most popular products sold in the state. The Tennessean reports that the changes have some hemp advocates worried that the rules will have harmful effects on the current hemp market and consumers. In 2023, Gov. Bill Lee signed Tennessee's first bill regulating hemp-derived cannabinoids into law and directing the department to establish formal rules and a process for enforcing them. The permanent regulations will go into effect on Dec. 26.

In recognition of Celebrate Pro Bono Month, Nashville lawyer and TBA Young Lawyers Division Board member Alix Rogers writes in a recent piece about how pro bono work not only helps those in need but also can be a valuable tool for professional growth. In "The Professional Power of Pro Bono: Building Skills, Networks and Purpose," Rogers reflects on her own experience and well as those gleaned from working with law students to outline the ways pro bono work can build critical skills and connections. Rogers is director of career and professional development at Belmont University College of Law. She serves on the TBA's Access to Justice Committee as well as Middle Tennessee Governor on the YLD Board. For many years, she also has coordinated the YLD's pro bono activities.

TBA’s 2024 Local Government Forum will take place this Friday, Nov. 1, as a live virtual event. It will start at 9 a.m. and run until 1 p.m. CDT. This year’s forum will feature sessions on parliamentary procedures, local sustainability measures and the ethics of who government attorneys actually represent. Other topics will include parliamentary procedures, First Amendment cases, local sustainability measures and the Tennessee Public Records Act. For more information and to register, visit TBA's website.

The Legal Aid of East Tennessee (LAET) intake/interview session set for tomorrow in Dunlap will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. CDT. The article that ran in Friday’s issue of TBA Today indicated the incorrect time zone. For more information about the event, please call the LAET office in Chattanooga at 423-756-4013.

It's already November! Where has the year gone? As the year draws to a close, many young lawyers feel the pressure of meeting their billable hour requirements. Balancing client demands, deadlines and personal well-being can be a daunting task. Try your best to manage your stress and prioritize wellness during this season!

Here are some tips to help you navigate this busy season:

• Set Realistic Goals — Instead of aiming for an overwhelming number of hours, break your billing targets down into manageable daily or weekly goals.
• Take Breaks — Taking regular breaks is crucial for maintaining productivity and mitigating burnout. Stepping away from your desk for a few minutes can recharge your mind and enhance focus. Go grab that cup of coffee and some water!
• Communicate — If you are feeling overwhelmed, working long hours and find yourself making mistakes, do not wait for items to slip through the cracks. Talk to your supervisors or colleagues. Open communication can lead to support, whether it is redistributing workloads or providing additional resources.
• Maintain a Balanced Lifestyle — As hard as it may be, try to eat well, exercise and get enough sleep. Doing these things can help your stress levels.
• Seek Professional Help if Needed — Consider talking to a mental health professional. Some firms offer employee assistance programs that provide confidential support, so this may be an untapped resource for you!

The TBA Environmental Law Forum will take place Nov. 15 in the Nashville office of Butler Snow. This staple for Tennessee environmental lawyers features government, in-house and private practice attorneys discussing timely topics affecting the practice area. Sessions at this year’s event include endangered species litigation, underground storage tanks, drinking water, Chevron, ethics and more. Do not miss this opportunity to earn CLE while networking with colleagues from across the state. Register now.

With this program, TBA seeks to expand the group of legal advocates certified to serve Tennessee veterans, who are underrepresented in the Veterans Affairs Department’s (VA) claims and appeals processes. Introduction to the Practice of Veterans Law — a live virtual event on Oct. 30 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CDT — will cover information about claims procedures, basic benefits eligibility, right to appeal, disability compensation, dependency and indemnity compensation, and pensions. Presenters will be James R. Drysdale with the VA Office of General Counsel in Washington, D.C., and VA certified lawyers Seth Ogden and Rita Gibson Rayford.

LARSEN, Circuit Judge. A jury convicted Jonathon Neuhard of producing, receiving, and possessing child pornography. A panel of this court affirmed his convictions. Neuhard then sought to vacate his sentence under 28 U.S.C. § 2255, arguing ineffective assistance of trial and appellate counsel. The district court denied the motion but granted Neuhard a certificate of appealability. For the reasons outlined below, we AFFIRM.

Defendant, Curtis Bradley, was indicted on one count of aggravated assault by causing serious bodily injury and one count of false imprisonment. He entered a negotiated plea agreement to the lesser-included charge of reckless aggravated assault with the trial court to determine the length of sentence and whether Defendant would receive judicial diversion. The false imprisonment charge was dismissed pursuant to the agreement. The trial court denied judicial diversion, and ordered Defendant ot serve three years, suspended to probation. Defendant argues on appeal that the trial court abused its discretion in denying his request for judicial diversion and by imposing more than the minimum sentence. Based on our review of the entire record, oral arguments, and the parties' briefs, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.