The TBA Young Lawyers Division (YLD) continued its visits to Tennessee law schools today with a discussion at the University of Tennessee College of Law. Daniel Mendoza, a 3L at the school and a graduate of the 2024 YLD Diversity Leadership Institute shared his experiences with the program and encouraged others to apply for this valuable opportunity. Mendoza was joined by Samantha Ellis, YLD CLE chair for East Tennessee, who has been an integral part of planning educational programs for young lawyers. See photos from the event.

Judge Zachary Walden, TBA Young Lawyers Division (YLD) East Tennessee governor and mock trial long range planning coordinator, spoke at the East Tennessee Director of Schools Study Council today about civics education. Walden also spoke about the TBA YLD Mock Trial competition and its new component, the artist in the courtroom competition. He noted that mock trial is an excellent way to get students actively involved in civics education as it increases their knowledge of the law and the legal system. Visit the TBA website for more information about the the 2025 mock trial competition.

The Tennessee Supreme Court has issued an order soliciting comments on proposed changes to the Appellate, Civil, Criminal and Juvenile Rules of Procedure as well as the Tennessee Rules of Evidence. The deadline for submitting written comments is Nov. 19. Submit comments by email to appellatecourtclerk@tncourts.gov or by mail to Appellate Clerk James Hivner, Re: 2025 Rules Package, 100 Supreme Court Building, 401 7th Ave. N., Nashville, TN 37219-1407. Submissions should reference docket number No. ADM2024-01134.

The U.S Department of Justice (DOJ) has updated its guidelines for federal prosecutors for evaluating corporate compliance programs to include questions about a company's use of artificial intelligence (AI). The new criteria aim to ensure that companies are taking appropriate steps to mitigate the risks associated with AI-facilitated crimes. Prosecutors now should consider factors such as the extent of human involvement in AI decision-making, risk assessments, and employee training on AI technologies, according to Bloomberg Law. The update follows a February directive from U.S. Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, which calls for stricter penalties for criminals using AI to advance their misconduct. On a state level, the TBA’s AI Task Force is working to explore the intersection of AI and the legal profession to ensure that attorneys are well-equipped to navigate the evolving landscape of AI technology to promote advancement of the profession.

Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk Heidi Kuhn's office held an expungement clinic to help individuals with criminal records start over. The clinic provided free consultations to help people determine if they were eligible to have certain nonviolent misdemeanors or felonies removed from their records. Over 100 people attended the clinic, which was the 25th of its kind since Kuhn took office in 2018. The office has helped expunge records for more than 9,000 people since 2018, according to the Daily Memphian.

Jaquan Bridges of Memphis recently was sentenced to nine years in federal prison for possessing a machine gun. The sentence comes after Bridges was found guilty of firing at a Shelby County Sheriff's deputy during a high-speed chase in 2022. Bridges pleaded guilty to the charge in February 2024. The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a federal initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence. In 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on the core principles of fostering trust and legitimacy in communities, supporting community-based organizations, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring results. Read more about the case in a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Tennessee.

John Richard "Dick" Lodge, lobbyist and former chair of the Tennessee Democratic Party (TNDP), died Sept. 20 at the age of 75. Born in Sewanee to the family known for their cast iron skillet business, Lodge graduated from Vanderbilt University Law School in 1974 and worked for the attorney general’s office before joining the senate campaign of Jim Sasser, who died earlier this month. After Sasser's win, Lodge served in Washington, D.C., as his legislative director. Lodge later returned to Nashville to become a partner at Bass, Berry & Sims and ran the firm’s government relations operations for years. As chair of the TNDP from 1983-1988, Lodge was part of the committee that created Super Tuesday. Nashville mayor Phil Bredesen, a close ally, also tapped him to be the first chair of the Metropolitan Sports Authority. Services will take place this week at Christ Church Cathedral, 900 Broadway, Nashville 37203. Visitation be from 3-5:30 p.m. on Wednesday with funeral services at 3 p.m. CDT on Thursday. Memorial donations may be made to Abe’s Garden Community, the Center for Contemplative Justice or Christ Church Cathedral.

The TBA Family Law Section will host a webcast on Oct. 14 on how to use artificial intelligence (AI) in a trial practice. The one-hour program will run from noon to 1 p.m. CDT and explore practical applications of AI tools in a family law trial practice, from pre-trial preparation to courtroom presentation. One hour of dual credit is available. Learn more or register online.

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti has announced that the state will not challenge a court ruling allowing a gun referendum to appear on Memphis' Nov. 5 ballot, the Daily Memphian reports. A Shelby County chancellor ruled on Sept. 11 that three gun safety measures, including restrictions on carrying handguns without a valid permit, could go before voters.  Skrmetti expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of the referendum, stating, "These ballot questions are a fraud on the voters of Memphis," but said the state would respect the court's ruling and not file an emergency appeal. Memphis city council members previously had filed suit against the Shelby County Election Commission to secure the referendum's place on the ballot.

A federal judge has temporarily blocked Tennessee's law prohibiting adults from assisting minors in obtaining an abortion without parental consent, citing First Amendment concerns and the law's vagueness. The Associated Press reports that U.S. District Judge Aleta Trauger ruled Friday that the state cannot criminalize free communication about legal abortion options, stating that the freedom of speech guaranteed by the First Amendment “is a protection available to everyone.” The law, which took effect July 1, penalizes adults for "recruiting, harboring or transporting" minors for an abortion. The law was challenged by state Rep. Aftyn Behn, D-Nashville, and Nashville attorney Rachel Welty.