A lawyer for the Biden administration told an appeals court Tuesday that a California-based federal judge was wrong in July to block a rule imposing new restrictions on asylum seekers at the U.S.-Mexico border, reports Reuters. The regulation presumes most migrants are not eligible to apply for asylum if they pass through other nations without seeking protection there first, or if they cross the border illegally instead of arriving at a designated port of entry. A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard the government's appeal, which argued the rule is valid since it includes various exceptions to rebut the presumption that these migrants are ineligible for protection.

Jillian Ludwig, a Belmont University freshman, died Tuesday after being hit by a stray bullet while walking in a park a mile from campus in Nashville, reports the Tennessean. Shaquille Taylor was arrested and charged after an informant, video evidence and an alleged confession linked him to the shooting. Metro police said Taylor appeared to be shooting at a nearby car when a stray bullet struck Ludwig. Taylor was previously charged with aggravated assault and was ultimately found by three doctors to be incompetent to stand trial but did not meet the state standards for involuntary commitment.

The federal judiciary estimates it can maintain operations for three weeks if Congress fails to pass legislation to avert a government shutdown, reports Reuters. The new estimate is up from two weeks, which the judiciary said it could operate for the last time Congress came close to missing a funding deadline. The new projection was released Tuesday after Republicans met to discuss stopgap options to temporarily fund the government. Current funding expires Nov. 17. The judiciary says it would be able to maintain operations temporarily during a government shutdown by relying on fees and other available balances.

A Black former top lawyer at the U.S. Department of Labor has sued the department claiming he was fired in retaliation for repeatedly complaining about widespread race discrimination against attorneys there, reports Reuters. Oscar Hampton, who formerly served as a regional solicitor in Philadelphia, filed suit in federal court Tuesday seeking to get his job back and force the department to overhaul what he alleges are anti-discrimination policies. The suit also alleges that he and other Black lawyers faced systemic discrimination at the department.

Join us for the TBAs annual Environmental Law Forum on Dec. 1 at 10 a.m. CST at Baker Donelson, 1600 West End Ave, Nashville 37203. Environmental lawyers across the state rely on this annual program to keep them up to date on timely topics relevant to the practice area. Do not miss this opportunity to learn from seasoned practitioners while networking with colleagues from across the state. This CLE provides one hour of dual credit and four hours of general credit.

A tax and financial clinic for artists, musicians and creatives will take place Dec. 6 from 5-7 p.m. CST at the Nashville Financial Empowerment Center, 217 S. 10th St., Nashville 37206. Hosted by Volunteer Lawyers & Professionals for the Arts (VLPA), Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and the Nashville Financial Empowerment Center (FEC), the clinic is free for income-qualified artists. Clients should register by Dec. 2 to reserve a spot to talk to a tax or financial expert.

Shelby County lawyer Stephen R. Yoder was reinstated to the active practice of law yesterday after being on inactive status since Aug. 18, 2015. The Tennessee Supreme Court accepted the Board of Professional Responsibility’s recommendation that reinstatement was satisfactory and Yoder had met the requirements of the rules. He was reinstated retroactively to Oct. 31.

The Tennessee Supreme Court recently directed Alabama lawyer Larry Wayne Brantley to inform the court within 30 days why the imposition of reciprocal discipline would be unwarranted. Brantley entered into an agreement to resolve disciplinary action brought against him by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) regarding his representation of private clients while employed as a federal employee. The USPTO issued a public reprimand and subjected Brantley to a 36-rnonth probationary period.

A reminder that the deadline for applying to be part of the Tennessee Bar Association’s Leadership Law 2024 class has been extended to Friday. Contact Paul Burch if you have questions about the program or the application process.

Shelby County lawyer Monica Aislynn Timmerman was reinstated to the practice of law yesterday. The Tennessee Supreme Court took the action after a panel of the Board of Professional Responsibility determined that Timmerman was in compliance with her Tennessee Lawyer Assistance Program Monitoring Agreement. Timmerman was suspended in September for not complying with the agreement and posing a threat of substantial harm to the public.