A group of law firms has signed a new pledge to extend diversity efforts to include attorneys with disabilities, Reuters reports. Attorneys with disabilities are underrepresented at U.S. law firms, with just 1.4% identifying as having a disability, according to the National Association for Law Placement. The new Disability Inclusion Commitments calls on firms to remove physical and digital barriers affecting lawyers with disabilities, bolster the hiring of disabled individuals, and conduct annual surveys in which employees can self-identify as disabled. Learn more from Diversity Lab, which will track firms’ progress.

For the first time, more Americans believe the death penalty is administered unfairly than fairly, according to a new Gallup survey. As reported by Axios, the survey showed the lowest level of support for the death penalty since 1972. Tennessee, like many other states, is grappling with how to handle capital punishment. Executions have been on hold for more than a year following a third-party investigation into "operational failures" at the Tennessee Department of Correction. According to the Death Penalty Information Center, 29 states have abolished the death penalty or paused executions by executive action.

A previously unnamed Memphis police officer was fired from the Memphis Police Department in February for failing to intervene in the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols, new records show. Through a public records request, the Commercial Appeal obtained information from the Tennessee Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission that shows Adrian Blakes was fired on Feb. 23, about a month after the first five former officers were fired and charged. According to the paper, the records show that that Blakes lied to investigators about witnessing the beating.

The state has been awarded a federal grant to study the feasibility of establishing Amtrak passenger rail service between Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga and Atlanta, the Nashville Business Journal reports. The $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation initiates development efforts such as preparing a scope, schedule and cost estimate for the route. Chattanooga officials announced their leg of the route yesterday, Chattanoogan.com reports. Memphis officials announced their involvement today.

An article in yesterday’s issue of TBA Today included the wrong location for a clinic taking place on Friday. The Legal Aid of Middle Tennessee & the Cumberlands will hold a general legal advice clinic from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. CST at the Wayne County Justice Center, 1016 Ralph Horton Dr., Waynesboro 38485.

Nine attorneys from Tennessee were admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court during the 38th annual TBA Academy yesterday. TBA President Jim Barry moved for admission of the members during a regular court session in Washington, D.C. Attorneys admitted before the high court were Sean Aiello, Kenneth “Ken” Bryant, Charles Frazier, Theodore “Ted” Goodman, Ashley Jefferson, Billy Leslie, Randall “Randy” Russell, Rebekah Spotts and Sheree Wright. Following the swearing in ceremony, the group stayed to observe oral arguments in the case of Charles G. Moore et al. v. United States, which centers on the constitutionality of the federal mandatory repatriation tax.

A legal clinic for veterans, sponsored by Memphis Area Legal Services Inc. and the Memphis Bar Association, will be held in Memphis on Dec. 12 from noon to 2 p.m. CST. The clinic will be at the Veterans Affairs’ (VA) social work offices at 575 Phelan Ave., Memphis 38126, but telephonic options are still available. Volunteers do not have to be certified by the VA to help. Cases include wills and estates, family law, child support, criminal defense, expungement, housing and consumer protection. Those interested in assisting should contact Jake Dickerson.

Do you dread completing your required ethics hours each year? We have good news! All of TBA’s Year End CLE packages include dual hours to meet ethics requirements. Choose from tried and true programs like the Ethics Homeshow and Essential Presentation Skills for Attorneys; fun and engaging programs like From Bach to Beyonce and ChatGPT, Siri, and Alexa are Out to Get You; or our new in-person program TBA Magical Mystery CLE: Legal Ethics & The Beatles in downtown Nashville on Dec. 14. With 50 ethics courses to choose from, we have you covered.

Attorney volunteers are needed for the Tennessee Free Legal Answers Clinic to be held at Belmont Law School, 1901 15th Ave. S., Nashville, 37212 on Dec. 11 from 11 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. CST. Currently 2-3 volunteers are needed. For more information please contact Ginny Blake.

Memphis Area Legal Services (MALS) will hold its monthly clinic at the Benjamin Hooks Library this Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon CST. The library is located at 3030 Poplar Ave., Memphis 38111. Lawyers and non-lawyers are needed for this high-volume clinic. Questions commonly raised by clients include issues involving housing, family, consumer and employment law. Come volunteer for a portion of the event or the full time. Sign up here to help.