In a historic vote, the U.S. House of Representatives today voted to expel New York Republican Rep. George Santos, making him only the sixth person ever to be expelled from that body. The final vote was 311 voting for expulsion, 114 against and two Republicans voting “present.” The Hill reports that Santos is facing federal indictment on 23 counts of wire fraud, identity theft and other campaign finance charges.

The TBA will be making major updates to its CLE website this Sunday night, resulting in the site being offline beginning at 9 p.m. CST. The outage should last no longer than two hours. Please contact TBA's CLE customer service team at cle@tnbar.org with any questions.

Join veteran attorney Cindy Sharp and certified contemplative practices teacher and attorney Becky Howlett as they unpack age bias in the legal field, including what it is, why it matters and ways to enhance collaboration across all age levels. In this one-hour dual-credit CLE, attendees will learn concepts to help identify and address age bias when dealing with colleagues, clients and others; how enhanced cultural competency will help attorneys advocate more effectively; and more! Register now for this Dec. 11 webcast beginning at noon CST.

Back by popular demand, TBA CLE brings you an attorney wellness session providing tools to combat and avoid legal burnout. This one-hour CLE session will empower lawyers to protect themselves from burnout; improve focus and boost overall productivity and efficiency; curb anxiety and stress; and use mindfulness to enhance ethical decision-making and conflict resolution. Join colleagues on Dec. 11 at 1 p.m. CST to earn one dual credit hour.

The Tennessee Court of Appeals today ruled in favor of Covenant parents in their lawsuit to block the release of documents related to the March 27 shooting at the school, WKRN reports. Covenant families have fought for months to withhold release of the shooter’s writings. The court noted the Covenant School and Covenant Church, as well as parents of Covenant School students, have filed motions to intervene in the release of the documents, citing confidential information including school security and personal information of students and employees.

Tennessee’s attorney general Jonathan Skrmetti is leading 16 other states in opposing a federal proposal that would require LGBTQ foster children be placed with families or facilities that are supportive of their identities. Nashville Public Radio reports that LGBTQ youth are over-represented in the foster care system and that a growing body of research finds these children are more likely than their peers to face abuse and harassment in foster care. Skrmetti argues that the rule illegally expands Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) authority into family law, and that it would penalize foster care providers for “declining to violate their own conscious or religion.”

The Tennessee Supreme Court today denied a petition from Williamson County lawyer Connie Lynn Reguli for “immediate relief of reversal” of a Nov. 20 order temporarily suspending her law license. The court did grant Reguli’s request for an evidentiary hearing and stated that she can present “applied constitutional challenges” to the order at that time.

The American Bar Association (ABA) announced it has withdrawn two recent statements on the conflict in Israel and Gaza following a backlash from hundreds of lawyers, the ABA Journal reports. The two statements on the Israel-Hamas war made by ABA President Mary Smith on Oct. 9 and Oct. 17 have been replaced with a one-sentence explanation saying they have been withdrawn. Critics said Smith’s statements about “all parties” stopping hostilities and upholding international law were “deeply flawed” because they wrongly suggested Israel was guilty of war crimes and that the conduct of the two governments was equivalent. An ABA spokesperson told Law.com and the ABA Journal that the statements were removed “because they were no longer timely.”

Vanderbilt University Law School will host a reception to introduce its Vanderbilt AI Law Lab (VAILL) on Dec. 14 at 3 p.m. CST at the school, 131 21st Ave S, Nashville 37203. The lab will explore how artificial intelligence intersects with the delivery of legal services and access to justice. VAILL Directors Cat Moon and Mark Williams, along with professors Cara Suvall and Dr. Jules White, will be in attendance to discuss how VAILL will experiment with AI to enhance access to justice and improve legal service delivery. Read the full press release.

The second annual Raising the Bar program took place today at Baker Donelson's Nashville office. Produced by the TBA Women in the Profession Committee, programming centered on advocating for one’s own and others’ career growth, and how to effectively solicit raises and project assignments, receive credit for work done, and make partner. Sessions also explored the barriers impacting diverse women in the legal industry and best practices for overcoming those challenges, and wrapped up with a discussion of the financial aspects of preparing for retirement and maintaining work-life balance while transitioning to retirement. Thanks to TBA's women past presidents and Sherrard Roe Voight & Harbison for sponsoring the lunch and networking reception, and to sponsors Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete LLP and McMurray Law Office PLLC for their support. See photos from the event.