The University of Memphis School of Law has expanded its faculty with the addition of Danielle Copes and Jeffrey Miller as assistant professors. Copes, an expert in contracts and corporate law, brings extensive experience in both academia and legal practice. Notably, she taught the nation’s first fully online J.D. legal communication and skills course. Miller will direct the school’s Disability Rights Law Clinic, using his background in disability rights advocacy and litigation. The law school announced the hirings in a new e-newsletter from Dean Jim Strickland.

The Adoption Law Section's annual forum is scheduled to be held on Sept. 9 at the Tennessee Bankers Association's Barrett Training Center in Nashville. Sessions include a legislative update, disruptions and secondary placement options, and a discussion of how adoption filings interact with juvenile court proceedings. Thanks to members' feedback, there also will be extra time allotted for the case law update! Make plans now to join colleagues for this informative program.

The American Bar Association (ABA) has unveiled a new report exploring the profound influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on the legal landscape. The report, released by the ABA's Task Force on Law and Artificial Intelligence, delves into a wide range of AI-related legal issues, including its impact on legal practice, ethics, access to justice and legal education. The task force aims to equip lawyers and judges with the tools and knowledge necessary to navigate this rapidly evolving technological landscape. To complement the report, the ABA has also published a book offering practical guidance on AI's legal implications.

The Nashville Davidson County Register of Deeds Office will be closed from Aug. 7-9 due to construction-related work. Register of Deeds Karen Johnson announced yesterday that the office will reopen Aug. 12. This construction work is being required to install air units for the building. E-recording Services will remain available and uninterrupted. "We are working diligently to open the entire space and this time is necessary to ensure construction deadlines are met but to also ensure the safety of our customers." Johnson said. "We expect to be back operational from 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. [CDT] Monday during our regular business hours.

Misappropriation of client funds is where many attorneys run afoul of professional conduct rules. Trust accounts, where you hold entrusted but unearned client money, deserve special care and monitoring. Use this guide to reconcile your trust account balances. Find this and more in the Money Management section of TBA’s Law Firm in a Box.

In an ongoing investigation into U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles' campaign finance disclosures, the Maury County Republican has confirmed that the FBI had taken possession of his cell phone. “It has been widely reported for months that my campaign made mistakes in our initial financial filings,” Ogles said in the post made to X, formerly known as Twitter. “We have worked diligently with attorneys and reporting experts to correct the errors and ensure compliance going forward. It is my understanding that they are investigating the same well-known facts surrounding these filings." An FBI spokesperson declined to comment. The Tennessean has the story.

The American Bar Association House of Delegates (ABA HOD) at its annual meeting Aug. 5 and 6 approved a range of policies, including one that embraces democracy and the rule of law, and another that expresses opposition to government actions that require the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools. Altogether, the HOD worked through about four dozen resolutions that also addressed gender-affirming laws, the Equal Rights Amendment and a host of new policies advocating for human rights in countries around the world. The HOD encompasses 590 delegates from ABA entities and state, local and specialty bar associations. Read more in-depth coverage of the policies and resolutions adopted in a press release from the ABA.

The law license of Marion County lawyer Howard Graham Swafford Jr. has been transferred to disability inactive status. Swafford may not practice law while on inactive status but may petition the Tennessee Supreme Court for reinstatement by showing by clear and convincing evidence that the disability has been removed and he is fit to resume the practice of law.

The Tennessee Supreme Court has issued a public censure with conditions for Chattanooga attorney Shaheen Iltaf Imami. On April 10, the state of Michigan imposed a public reprimand on Imami conditioned on successful completion of two practice management trainings. Michigan found that Imami failed to preserve complete records of account funds for a period of five years; failed to promptly deliver funds owed to his client or third party; failed to promptly render a full accounting; failed to hold property of clients or third parties separate from his own funds; failed to deposit all client or third party funds in an appropriate IOLTA or non-IOLTA account, and/or failed to appropriately safeguard other property; engaged in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice; and engaged in conduct exposing the legal profession to obloquy, contempt, censure or reproach in violation of Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.15(b)(2) and (3), 1.15 (d) and 8.4(c). and Michigan Court Rules 9.104(1) and (2). On May 8, the Tennessee Supreme Court directed Imami to respond why the discipline imposed in Michigan should not also be imposed in Tennessee. The court reports that Imami did not respond.

CLAY, Circuit Judge. Defendants Berlin Township Board of Trustees and Berlin Township, Ohio (collectively, the “Township”) appeal the district court’s order preliminarily enjoining the Township from preventing Plaintiff TowerCo 2013, LLC’s (“TowerCo”) completion and deployment of a Verizon cell tower. TowerCo cross-appeals the district court’s order, arguing that the district court erred in finding that the Township did not violate certain sections of the Telecommunications Act (“TCA”), including 47 U.S.C. § 332(c)(7)(B)(ii), (iii). The district court’s injunction has been stayed by this Court, pending the resolution of this appeal. For the reasons set forth below, we REVERSE the district court’s order granting a preliminary injunction, and REMAND for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.