On Jan. 28, the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals held oral arguments for its Knoxville docket at the University of Tennessee College of Law (UT Law). Sitting for the court were Judges Robert H. Montgomery, Tom Greenholtz and Kyle A. Hixson, all UT Law alumni. Rodd Barckhoff, interim director for the Center for Advocacy and Dispute Resolution and a retired Tennessee Supreme Court staff attorney, hosted the event, which was attended by more than 100 students. At the conclusion of the session, the students, panel members and attorneys for the parties participated in a question-and-answer session regarding appellate advocacy. Read more in a press release from the Administrative Office of the Courts.

The Justice Department (DOJ) has informed the U.S. Supreme Court that it is withdrawing its opposition to Tennessee’s law banning puberty blockers and hormone therapy for minors, reversing the Biden administration’s previous stance that such bans discriminate against transgender individuals, the Tennessean reports. The justices heard arguments in December on the DOJ’s challenge to Tennessee’s law but have not yet issued a ruling. Under the Biden administration, the department argued that the law was discriminatory because it allows a teenager assigned male at birth to receive testosterone for delayed puberty while banning the same treatment for transgender youth. Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti previously defended the law in a response brief to the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing that the state has the authority to regulate gender transition procedures for minors. A decision in the case, United States v. Skrmetti, is expected by summer.

Nashville residents gathered this week before the Metro Council to share their priorities for the city budget during the annual pre-budget comment period, WPLN News reports. The session allows the public to put requests on record before Mayor Freddie O’Connell submits his budget proposal. The council will consider these requests when crafting a potential alternative ahead of the official budget hearing in June. This year’s requests included funding for gun violence prevention, transit access, affordable housing, youth sports, the arts and court-appointed attorneys. The mayor is required to file his budget by the end of April.

President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order aimed at banning transgender women from participating in women’s sports, AP News reports. The order, titled "Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports," directs federal agencies to enforce Title IX in alignment with the Trump administration’s interpretation, which defines “sex” as the gender assigned at birth. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Sen. Marsha Blackburn attended the signing ceremony, expressing support for the administration’s efforts to “protect women’s sports.” The event coincided with National Girls and Women in Sports Day. Last year, Tennessee joined a multi-state lawsuit challenging a federal court ruling that allowed individuals to compete in sports aligning with their gender identity after the Biden administration had sought to expand the law’s prohibition of sex discrimination in education programs to LGBTQ+ students. In January, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky ruled that the U.S. Department of Education exceeded its constitutional authority when it modified Title IX protections under the Education Amendments of 1972. 

A bipartisan group of U.S. senators — including Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee, Sen. Alex Padilla, D-California, Sen. Thom Tillis, R-North Carolina. and Sen. Cory Booker, D-New Jersey — have introduced the American Music Fairness Act, a bill that would ensure artists and music creators are paid when their songs are played on AM/FM radio, the Tennessean reports. The legislation would require traditional radio stations to pay royalties to American musicians for on-air plays, though the exact payment amounts have not yet been established. Smaller stations, as well as college and non-commercial stations, would be exempt from full payments and instead pay a smaller annual fee for unlimited music use.

Students in 17 East Tennessee counties are invited to participate in the annual Civics Essay Contest, sponsored by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, Chattanooga Division, and the Chattanooga Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, the Chattanoogan reports. This year’s prompt asks: When is a police officer’s use of deadly force reasonable? Students are encouraged to share their views on what factors a court should consider in determining whether an officer’s use of force was reasonable or excessive. The contest is open to public, private and homeschool students in grades 8-12 in Bedford, Bledsoe, Bradley, Coffee, Franklin, Grundy, Hamilton, Lincoln, McMinn, Marion, Meigs, Moore, Polk, Rhea, Sequatchie, Warren and Van Buren counties. Full essay prompt, requirements and additional materials are available on the court’s website. Contact Kelly L. Walsh at 423-386-3523 or via email to chattcivicsessay@gmail.com with questions.

Events scheduled to be held in Memphis this month in honor of Black History Month include the following: a presentation on the impact of HBCUs at the National Civil Rights Museum; a concert by the Stax Music Academy; offerings from the Memphis Public Libraries; art exhibits by a number of Black artists; a series of events beginning this month to honor Tom Lee, who pulled 32 survivors of a capsized ship out of the Mississippi River; a presentation about Black individuals buried at Elmwood Cemetery; events at the University of Memphis; an oratorical competition for area youth sponsored by the Memphis Parks Department; and a host of other activities for kids.

The Tennessee Bar Association (TBA) honored Belmont College of Law Dean Alberto Gonzales at a  reception at the American Bar Association (ABA) Midyear Meeting in Phoenix. Meeting attendees from across the country gathered to celebrate Gonzales’ leadership at the law school. See pictures from the event. The TBA hosts the Tennessee Reception twice a year at the ABA Midyear Meeting in February and the Annual Meeting in August. The events provide an opportunity to raise the state's visibility among the national legal community and honor the good work being done by Tennessee attorneys.

The family of Matthew Vogel is suing over his death at the South Central Correctional Facility in Clifton. Vogel, who had been sent back to jail for violating parole on a drug charge, had one day left in his sentence, the Tennessean reports. The family alleges that Vogel was inappropriately placed in a cell with Travis Bess, who had been convicted on two counts of first-degree murder in 2022 and of killing another man behind bars in 2014. Vogel was classified as a minimum security risk while Bess was classified to "close" security, two steps above "minimum" and one below "maximum" security. The wrongful death suit alleges that facility operator CoreCivic lacked justification to reduce the score and did so to "expend fewer resources due to chronic understaffing."

As the Tennessee's 114th General Assembly continues work, there are multiple ways to connect with the TBA's Government Affairs team, learn more and get involved with advocacy work, including working for increased resources for indigent representation. Plan to participate in TBA's Day on the Hill and Big Shrimp Legislative Reception, to be held March 19 in Nashville. The events give Tennessee lawyers an opportunity to meet with legislators and talk to them about issues important to the profession. Watch for more information coming soon. Also, complete this form to connect with TBA's grassroots efforts, including upcoming opportunities to advocate.