Brent Easley, who recently concluded a stint as Gov. Bill Lee's legislative director, has been named president of BHA Strategy, the Nashville Post reports. The lobbying and public relations firm was founded by former Lee aides Blake Harris and Laine Arnold. Harris was Lee's chief of staff, while Arnold was communications director. Easley worked for TennesseeCAN, StudentsFirstTN and state House Republicans before joining the Lee administration. He is also an adjunct professor at Lipscomb University.

Defense lawyers and major corporations are urging a U.S. judicial panel to strengthen a proposed rule that would for the first time govern federal mass torts cases. Reuters reports that the group says the draft rule does not go far enough to weed out "meritless" lawsuits. They are calling on the panel to strengthen the language to include a directive that plaintiffs’ counsel demonstrate “basic due diligence into plaintiffs’ claims, such as evidence of exposure to the alleged cause and a resulting injury, early in the case.”

A push to crack down on juvenile crime in Shelby County is creating a dispute between District Attorney Steve Mulroy and Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, WREG reports. According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, juvenile crime in the state has gone down in the last decade, but in Memphis, the results are mixed. The Memphis Shelby County Crime Commission says serious juvenile charges are down 8.3% this year, but overall, juvenile charges are up nearly 31%. Sexton is calling on Mulroy to do more. WATE reports that Sexton even floated the idea of impeachment when reporters asked him about the possibility last week, though he acknowledged it would be a high bar given the discretion attorneys general have in deciding prosecutorial priorities.

The U.S. Supreme Court has barred two Texas-based manufacturers from selling products that can be converted into so-called "ghost guns" unless they comply with new federal requirements, National Public Radio reports. Last year, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives issued regulations that required any disassembled gun parts to carry serial numbers and required anyone buying them to pass a background check. Manufacturers challenged the regulations in court, and federal Judge Reed O'Connor in Texas issued a nationwide injunction. The court’s action voids the lower court order and a decision upholding the order from the Fifth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, allowing the regulations to go into effect pending further litigation.

This year's Creditor's Practice Forum will take place tomorrow in Nashville. The program, which offers three general and one dual credits, will cover topics including AI and its application to law practice, charging orders and related post judgement strategies, and using contractual and statutory liens to increase likelihood of payment. The program will conclude with a "tips and tricks" session presented by bankruptcy attorneys.

The Shelby County Sheriff's Office is investigating an "apparent suicide attempt" of an inmate at the Shelby County Division of Corrections, the Commercial Appeal reports. According to the sheriff’s office, 41-year-old Terrence Boyd was "reportedly found hanging in a cell.” Boyd was taken to Baptist Memphis Hospital in critical condition last Thursday and died Saturday morning. Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy was notified of the event and requested the sheriff investigate the incident. Unlike area jails, the sheriff’s office does not operate this facility.

The Arts & Business Council's Volunteer Lawyers and Professionals for the Arts is joining the law firm of Bradley Arant Boult Cummings to provide free legal services for nonprofits and Black-owned small businesses in Nashville this Friday. Advice will cover business formation, corporate governance, contracts and navigating local ordinances and state regulations. Eligible entities may receive up to one hour of assistance. Clients should sign up online. Attorneys should email vlpa@abcnashville.org to volunteer.

Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee & the Cumberlands is hosting a Pro Bono Appreciation Happy Hour to thank and recognize its volunteers. The event is this Thursday from 4:30-6 p.m. CDT at 501 Commerce St. at Fifth & Broadway in Nashville, and is sponsored by Polsinelli and K&L Gates. Find more information and RSVP here. 

The Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) has released new data showing that the recidivism rate for offenders released from its facilities is now at the lowest level in more than a decade. And for the first time, the department reports that the recidivism rate has dropped below 30%. TDOC measures recidivism by criminal acts that result in rearrest, reconviction or a return to prison within a three-year period after release. Commissioner Frank Strada credits standardization of offender supervision and use of graduated sanctions, as well as the valuable work of private, nonprofit and community organizations.

Migrant families separated at the U.S.-Mexico border under then-President Donald Trump will receive temporary legal status and other benefits, according to a summary of a settlement agreement filed today. Reuters reports that the agreement applies to some 3,900 children separated from their parents. The ACLU represented separated families in a lawsuit first filed in 2018. The agreement also bars similar separations in the future according to reports.