The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has filed a class action lawsuit over the Trump administration’s decision to terminate the legal status of some student visa holders in four northeastern states and Puerto Rico. The group argues the move puts those students in danger of being deported, The Hill reports. The U.S. State Department defended the actions saying it revokes visas every day to secure the borders and to keep communities safe. According to the Associated Press, about 1,100 students at more than 170 schools have been impacted since last month. In Tennessee, three schools so far — Christian Brothers University, University of Memphis and University of Tennessee — have reported impacts on their students.

Baker Donelson has opened new offices in Princeton and Iselin, New Jersey, adding 26 new attorneys, including a health care transactional team, a litigation team, and several real estate attorneys in a significant expansion. Of the 26 new attorneys, 17 are joining as shareholders, two as of counsel and seven as associates. Also joining are two paralegals and six support staff. All of these professionals are joining from the health law firm of Epstein Becker Green. Baker Donelson Chair and CEO Timothy M. Lupinacci said, "A key aspect of our strategic vision is elevating our ability to serve clients as trusted advisors with industry depth and proactive counsel ... As a national firm, expanding our footprint to include New Jersey is exciting, and our growth will continue to be driven by adding the right talent who share our vision." Read more in a press release from the firm.

Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands (LAS) will launch its 2025 Equal Justice Campaign — now in its 40th year — with a kickoff event April 23 at GEODIS Park from 5-7 p.m. CDT. The event will bring together a group of justice-minded leaders, including 2025 Equal Justice Campaign Committee members, past Equal Justice Campaign Committee members, supporters of LAS, in-house corporate counsels, Leadership Cabinet law firm partners, pro bono directors at major law firms, leaders from the Tennessee and Nashville Bar Associations, and LAS executive leadership. RSVP for the event here.

The Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility on April 21 voted to withdraw Formal Opinion 2025-F-172, which was issued March 14 and addressed limited scope legal services provided by a private attorney. Formal Opinion 2025-F-171, also issued March 14 and still applicable, addresses the ethical propriety of a non-disparagement clause in a products liability case settlement agreement that makes the lawyers in Firm A parties to the settlement proposed by Firm B. See all past opinions from the board.

Death row prisoner Harold Wayne Nichols on April 18 sued Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti, Tennessee Department of Correction Commissioner Frank Strada, Riverbend Maximum Security Institution Warden Kenneth Nelsen, as well as the unknown members of the execution team — listed as "John Does" in his lawsuit — in an attempt to delay his Dec. 11 execution until litigation over the state's new execution protocol is resolved. The Tennessean reports that the state has agreed to not execute at least two others on death row until their lawsuits conclude. Nichols argues the terms of that agreement must be extended to him or else the state is "unequally applying" its laws. Nichols' suit also makes several arguments against the new protocol itself, echoing many of those made in an earlier filing by other Tennessee death row prisoners. The U.S. Department of Justice in January rescinded its protocol allowing single-drug lethal injections for federal executions.

West Tennessee Legal Services (WTLS) and the Jackson-Madison County Bar Association will hold a Law Day celebration in Jackson on May 2. The event, which will include a luncheon featuring a judicial panel, will take place from noon to 1:30 p.m. CDT at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 309 E Baltimore St., Jackson 38301. Tickets are $35 for association members, $50 for non-members and $25 for non-attorneys. Tickets must be purchased by May 1.

University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law Assistant Dean for Law Admissions, Recruitment and Scholarships Dr. Sue Ann McClellan has announced her retirement, effective June 30. “Sue Ann’s vast experience and wealth of knowledge far exceeds that of so many peers,” said former law school Dean Katharine Schaffzin. “As a faculty member on the Admissions Committee or as dean, I have always deferred to her assessment in informing admissions decisions and recruitment strategies. Sue Ann’s kindness and humanity shine when she interacts with prospective students." In commenting on her career, McClellan stated, “It has been a privilege and an honor to open the door to the legal profession for every single one of these students." Read this tribute to McClellan from the law school.

Tennesseans will vote on three constitutional amendments on the November 2026 gubernatorial ballot after the state House approved the measures on Monday. The Senate had approved the resolutions in March. Sponsored by Sen. Jack Johnson, R-Franklin, one amendment would take away the right to bail for people charged with certain crimes such as acts of terrorism, second degree murder, aggravated rape, grave torture, vehicular homicide and carjacking. A second amendment, sponsored by Sen. Ferrell Haile, R-Gallatin, would would prohibit the state from instating a state property tax in the future. Finally, Marsy’s Law, sponsored by Sen. John Stevens, R-Huntingdon, would expand the rights of victims of crimes, including the right to be present and heard at all public criminal proceedings involving the accused, the right to be free from harassment or intimidation by the accused, and the right to be notified of the release, transfer or escape of the accused. The Nashville Post has more on all three proposed amendments.

The TBA YLD has selected six fellows for its new Rural Judicial Fellowship (RJF) program. They are: Harry Crane and M. Clark Hill from Belmont University College of Law; Savannah Grant and Isabella Turner from University of Tennessee College of Law; and Jillian McGauley and Charlie Pritchett from Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law. These law students will have the opportunity to spend six weeks of the summer as a judicial law clerk in a legal community in rural Tennessee. They also will attend the TBA's Annual Convention in June and be recognized by Tennessee's Supreme Court justices. Six judges will be paired with the students to help them gain practical legal experience and foster connections in underserved areas. Thank you to this year's participating judges: Circuit Court Judge Caleb Bayless in Columbia, Chancellor Jerri Bryant in Athens, General Sessions Judge Lee Bussart in Lewisburg, Circuit Court Judge Mark Hayes in Dyersburg, Circuit Court Judge Blake Neill in Somerville, and Criminal Court Judge Zachary Walden in Jacksboro.

The U.S. Supreme Court early Saturday halted the Trump administration’s use of the Alien Enemies Act to deport migrants who are being detained in Texas, The Hill reports. The emergency order temporarily blocks deportations until the court resolves an emergency appeal from the American Civil Liberties Union. On Friday, the group asked a number of courts to intervene alleging that deportations were actively underway. The Justice Department disputed those claims. The high court decision comes a few days after U.S. District Judge James Boasberg found "probable cause" to hold administration officials in contempt for deporting accused Venezuelan gang members to El Salvador in March after he ordered the planes to turn around, Bloomberg Law reports. On Friday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit halted those contempt proceedings to give it sufficient opportunity to consider the government’s appeal. The Hill reports on that development.