Bill Adams, the American Bar Association’s (ABA) managing director for accreditation and legal education since 2020, will step down from the position next spring. Adams also served as deputy director for nearly six years prior to taking his current post. In his position as managing director, he has helped steer both the 15,500-member ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar and its governing council, which serves as an independent arm of the ABA for accreditation of U.S. law schools. A nationwide search for his successor has been launched.

The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance has issued a consumer alert regarding the Chattanooga-based accounting firm Croft & Frost, which appears to have abruptly ceased operations. For more information on actions to take or filing a complaint, see this memo from the Tennessee State Board of Accountancy.

The Tennessee Supreme Court Access to Justice Commission is kicking off the Rights Restoration Project, a new pro bono initiative to help Tennesseans with criminal records restore their rights. A virtual informational meeting for attorneys who are interested in volunteering for the project during Celebrate Pro Bono Month will be held Sept. 26 at 2 p.m. CDT and will last approximately 30 minutes. Click here to register for the informational meeting on Zoom or see the flyer for more details.

Since the introduction of a reformed bail system in Shelby County, data reveals an increase in the average bail amounts for defendants facing violent charges when they are initially booked at the Shelby County Criminal Justice Center. However, bail amounts for non-violent offenses have decreased since the new bail hearing room opened. The changes reserve pretrial detention for individuals accused of serious, violent offenses and allows others the opportunity to secure release regardless of their financial situation. There are ongoing discussions and calls for increased transparency regarding the new bail system, with some officials and critics expressing concerns about the impact of low bail amounts on public safety. The Commercial Appeal has the story.

The U.S. has been hit by a record-breaking 23 billion-dollar disasters so far in 2023, with Tennessee suffering from 10 of them. These disasters, primarily caused by windstorms and thunderstorms, have resulted in significant damage ranging from $2 to $5 billion across the state. WPLN reports that the increase in billion-dollar disasters is part of a national trend exacerbated by climate change.

Around 200 community members and University of Memphis students participated in the 12th annual Memphis Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event yesterday, where they walked a mile in high-heeled shoes and regular footwear to raise awareness about violence against women. The march started from the University of Memphis and participants carried signs advocating against sexual assault and victim-blaming, emphasizing the need for change in men's behavior and attitudes toward women. The Daily Memphian reports that the event aimed to highlight the challenges women face and promote awareness and prevention of violence against women, with participants from various backgrounds joining in solidarity.

Attorney General Skrmetti’s office has filed a motion to compel the social media company TikTok to comply with an earlier court order requiring it to produce relevant evidence in response to Tennessee's investigation of the company’s possible violation of state consumer protection laws. The bipartisan investigation is part of a nationwide inquiry into whether TikTok has engaged in deceptive, unfair, and unconscionable conduct that harmed the mental health of users, particularly children and teens. Read the full press release as well as briefs and motions here.

The Belmont Law Review will host its annual fall symposium on Sept. 29 from 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. CDT at the Belmont Law School, Randall & Sadie Baskin Center, 1901 15th Ave. S., Nashville 37212. This year's event will focus on "Learning Together: Modern Developments in Education Law." For more information, visit the website or email Natalie.Anders@bruins.belmont.edu.

A reception honoring current, new and retiring members of the Tennessee Supreme Court will be held in Nashville on Oct. 4 from 5:30 - 7 p.m. CDT at Holland & Knight, Nashville City Center, 511 Union St., 27th Floor, 37219. The event is sponsored by the Tennessee Supreme Court Historical Society. RSVP by emailing lknightlaw@outlook.com.

The University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law is dealing with outrage over a caricature of a woman in blackface that was on display for almost two weeks in the school’s law review offices, reports the Daily Memphian. The student editor-in-chief of the law review emailed an apology last week to the law school community, and Dean Kate Schaffzin issued a statement that said, in part, “Racism in any form is inexcusable and will not be tolerated." The caricature, a face made of items found in the law review office, including a football and a long black wig, was created by the law review staff as an editing award. The law school and student organizations are planning programs in response that will cover cultural competence and implicit bias.