The Tennessee General Assembly can legally shield its records of sexual harassment investigations from the public, a judge ruled this week in a lawsuit related to an investigation last spring that led to the resignation of then-Rep. Scotty Campbell. According to the Tennessean, Brian Manookian sued the Office of Legislative Administration and its director, Connie Ridley, last May over unfulfilled public records requests regarding the legislature's response to harassment complaints and related expenditures. WKRN reports during the trial, evidence submitted to the court included two pages of notes regarding another complaint filed against state Rep. Jeremy Faison, R-Cosby, who is also chair of the Republican House Caucus. In his ruling this week, Chancellor Russell Perkins included a list of evidence submitted, including a file folder "with an alleged victim's first name ... pertaining to a complaint" against Faison. House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, released a statement following the ruling denying that any complaint exists against Faison.

A Goodlettsville man has filed a complaint against two groups, claiming they failed to register as political action committees even though they made expenditures for endorsed candidates. According to the Tennessee Lookout, complaints were filed against Sumner County Constitutional Republicans and Tennessee Constitutional Republicans with Sumner County District Attorney Ray Whitley and the Tennessee Registry of Election Finance. The latter body is scheduled to review the matter at a Jan. 23 meeting.

The Tennessee Supreme Court today suspended Davidson County lawyer Kevin William Teets Jr. from the practice of law for four years, with 15 months to be served on active suspension and the remainder to be served on probation. The court conditioned probation on (1) participating in a TLAP monitoring agreement and treatment and recovery plan, (2) practicing only in a group setting with a practice monitor for 12 months, (3) paying disciplinary costs and (4) paying $55,157.50 in restitution to eight victims. The court noted that the discipline involved nine matters, including failing to provide competent representation, act with reasonable diligence, respond to the Board of Professional Responsibility, comply with a court order, withdraw from representation after suspension, and refund unearned fees. Teets also was found to have charged unreasonable fees, engaged in the unauthorized practice of law, and engaged in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice and involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation. These actions violated Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5(a), 1.16(a)(1), 5.5(a), 7.1(a), 8.1(b), 8.4(c), 8.4(d), and 8.4(g). The court also granted a request to allow certain case documents to be filed under seal.

Legal Aid of Middle Tennessee & the Cumberlands (LAS) will hold a free legal clinic from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. CST at the Southeast Branch Library, 5260 Hickory Hollow Pkwy., Ste. 201 in Antioch on Saturday. Next week, the group will hold four clinics: a disaster relief clinic in Gallatin on Tuesday, a veterans-only clinic at Operations Stand Down in Nashville on Wednesday, a clinic at Greenhouse Ministries in Murfreesboro on Thursday and the McHugh Clinic at Belmont University on Saturday. See all January clinics or volunteer to help by contacting Kendra Cheek, 615-780-7131.

The Community Legal Center (CLC) and First Horizon will hold a free wills and estate planning clinic at the Josephine Lewis Senior Center on Jan. 10 from noon to 2:30 p.m. CST. The center is located at 1188 North Pkwy., Memphis 38105. For more information contact the CLC at 901-543-3395 or info@clcmemphis.org.

The Tennessee Bar Foundation has awarded $2 million from the Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts (IOLTA) program to law-related organizations across the state. The 2024 grants represent the largest amount given in the 36-year history of the IOLTA program in Tennessee. Grants were awarded to 35 different projects, including seven that are new to the program this year. The projects provide an array of services, including individual legal representation, dispute mediation, assistance for survivors of domestic violence, immigration counseling and housing advocacy. Read more in a news release or see the full list of award recipients.

The University of Tennessee College of Law has announced a new strategic plan that will provide guidance for the school through 2028. “Tennessee Law: Lighting the Way” is the result of two years of work by the Strategic Planning Committee, chaired by Interim Associate Dean for Faculty Development Teri Baxter. The plan includes the college’s vision statement to be the “premier law school in the southeast” and five strategic goals. Read more in a news release from the college or the full plan.

The TBA Young Lawyers Division (YLD) and Tennessee Judicial Conference will hold a Bar and Bench reception on Jan. 18 at 5:30 p.m. CST in Memphis. The event is sponsored by and will take place at Morgan and Morgan, 80 Monroe Ave., Ste. 900, Memphis 38103. The reception will kick off a series of networking events across Tennessee, offering a unique opportunity for lawyers and members of the judiciary to interact in a casual atmosphere.

Pamela Moses, a Black Lives Matter activist and former candidate for Memphis mayor who was jailed for alleged voter fraud, has established a committee to run for U.S. Senate as an independent, the Tennessee Lookout reports. Moses made national news after former Shelby County District Attorney Amy Weirich prosecuted her for attempting to restore her right to vote after prior felony convictions. All charges eventually were dropped after revelations that the Tennessee Department of Correction withheld evidence that exonerated her. The Senate seat is held by Republican Marsha Blackburn. State Rep. Gloria Johnson of Knoxville and Civil Miller-Watkins of Fayette County have filed to run as Democrats.

Last year’s law firm merger total saw a slight increase over 2022, beating what had been the busiest year for mergers since the pandemic, Reuters reports. Some 48 deals were completed in 2023 — two more than 2022, according to new data from legal consultancy Fairfax Associates. Among the largest deals were Holland & Knight's tie-up with Nashville-based Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis and Dentons' combination with Indian law firm Link Legal. This year, at least nine other mergers are expected.