Don’t miss the Black Heritage in Racing Exhibit at the Tennessee State Museum in Nashville, now through Feb. 26. This exhibit, which originated at the Kentucky Derby Museum, explores the significant contributions of Black Americans to the early success of the Kentucky Derby. The exhibit also addresses the impact of segregation and Jim Crow, which led to the exclusion of African Americans from the racing industry. The display also narrates the stories of Black individuals who served as primary caretakers for horses in the 20th century. The exhibit is free with the purchase of a ticket to Belle Meade Historic Site.

A bill allowing marriage officiants to decline performing weddings for certain people passed the Tennessee Senate this week, The Tennessean reports. The law, SB0596/HB0878, amends Tenn. Code Ann. Title 4; Title 29 and Title 36 by adding a subsection allowing officiants refusal if a union is objectionable based on conscience or religious beliefs. “Let’s be clear — this bill is intended to exclude LGBTQ+ folks from equal protection under the law,” said Molly Whitehorn, an organizer with the Human Rights Campaign. “Marriage equality was settled by the Supreme Court in 2015, reaffirmed by a bipartisan majority in Congress in 2022 … all Tennesseans have a right to marry the person they love.” Others LGBT-targeted laws include a bill that would ban pride flags in schools, a bill to ban "obscene library materials" and a bill that terminates the human rights commission, among others.

The TBA Corporate Counsel Section will host its annual forum virtually on April 19. Topics include how the Corporate Transparency Act and the FTC's proposed rule regarding no-poaching and noncompete agreements affect in-house counsel, guiding a company through a government investigation, and what in-house counsel needs to know about parent/subsidiary relationships. Find out more and check back as more details are announced!

The 2024 TBA Leadership Law class met last month for its “Issues in Policy & Politics” program in Nashville. Class members heard from a number of legislators and state leaders. TBA Executive Director Sheree Wright led a panel discussion about the legislative process and what lawyers bring to the table when serving as legislators. Lawmakers participating in that session included Sen. Sara Kyle, D-Memphis, House Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland, Rep. John Ray Clemmons, D-Nashville, and Rep. Johnny Garrett, R-Goodlettsville. Class members also heard from Anastasia Campbell, director of the Legislative Office of Legal Services, and Brandon Smith, chief of staff to Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti. See photos from the day.

A pair of legislative measures that would reshape the bail system in Tennessee moved forward in a state House of Representatives subcommittee Tuesday with near unanimous "aye" votes for both, the Tennessean reports. The first measure, filed by House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, would enable Tennessee judges to deny bail for a broader set of charges, including acts of terrorism, second-degree murder, aggravated rape of a child, aggravated rape and grave torture. The measure was amended to also include any offense that requires the convicted individuals to serve at least 85% of their sentence. The second measure would prohibit judges from considering a defendant’s ability to pay when setting bail and expand the discretion judges currently have to approve or deny bail for the crimes covered by the 2022 “truth in sentencing” law. Both measures now move to a full committee vote. 

Vanderbilt University has reappointment Chris Guthrie as dean of its law school. The reappointment is for a five-year term starting July 1, at which point Guthrie will have completed 15 years in the role. Guthrie joined the law school in 2002, serving as associate dean for academic affairs from 2004 to 2008. He was named dean in 2009. His expertise includes behavioral law and economics, dispute resolution, negotiation and judicial decision-making. Guthrie holds a law degree from Stanford Law School and a master’s degree in education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Read more about his background.

Plan now to take part in the Tennessee Bar Association’s Day on the Hill on March 20. The event gives TBA members an opportunity to meet with their legislators and talk to them about issues important to the profession, including funding for indigent representation. Activities begin with a luncheon, followed by meetings with legislators in the afternoon and the annual Big Shrimp legislative reception that night. Sign up now to take part.

The American Bar Association (ABA) has asked the federal judiciary to stop using the term “court-appointed master," arguing that it has negative connotations and does not accurately describe the role of those who help guide litigation. The group proposed using the term “court-appointed neutral” instead. The judiciary’s Advisory Committee on Civil Rules may consider the change when it meets on April 9, Reuters reports.

Shelby County General Sessions Judge Deborah Means Henderson was honored by the Shelby County Commission at its meeting on Feb. 5, the Administrative Office of the Courts reports. A resolution, sponsored by Commissioner Erika Sugarmon, noted Henderson’s career accomplishments and her work with the unhoused, as well as her recent election as president of the Tennessee General Sessions Judges Conference. Henderson is now the first Black woman elected president of any state judicial conference. Her service on the court includes efforts to establish a pre-litigation eviction mediation program to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants.

The Tennessee Supreme Court yesterday directed Wesley Shelman Spears to inform the court why discipline imposed in the state of Connecticut should not also be imposed in Tennessee. The court noted that Spears was suspended from the practice of law for two years by the Connecticut Superior Court in September 2023. That court found that Spears engaged in conduct that was prejudicial to the administration of justice and involved dishonesty or misrepresentation.