Tennessee Democrats yesterday announced an eight-stop bus tour to begin next week in Memphis and finish in Nashville for the start of the special legislative session, reports WKRN. House Democratic Caucus Chair John Ray Clemmons, D-Nashville, said the tour is meant to encourage public debate about meaningful gun control ahead of the session. Sen. Charlane Oliver, D-Nashville, noted that "this is not new. The statistics are not new ... What is new is the opportunity to turn tragedy into policy action.” The state is receiving public comments in advance of the special session via this form. 

The Bristol Motor Speedway today requested a pause on a proposed deal to renovate the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, until the next mayor and council take office, reports the Tennessean. The proposal was unlikely to reach a final vote this term and would necessitate calling a special meeting this month to meet the requirement of three readings to pass. Bristol expressed confidence that the deal will move forward under the next mayor and council, though the community remains divided. Neighbors near the track have expressed concern over noise and quality of life issues that would come with the increased traffic for racing events. 

Federal judicial officials warned that pending appropriations legislation in Congress would have "detrimental impacts ... on the administration of justice and the functioning of the federal courts if enacted," reports Reuters. In letters made public today, the Judiciary Conference expressed deep concern that the current proposed allocations could force elimination of hundreds of jobs, including in federal public defender offices and for probation and pretrial services as well as cutbacks to cybersecurity improvements. Though the current bills would give the court system a modest overall increase in funding, it is less than the judicial branch's requested 8% increase.

The state Supreme Court reinstated the license of Tennessee attorney Jeremy Bland effective July 28, after Bland completed requirements of the BPR.

The YLD is replaying three CLE webcasts from earlier in the year to help lawyers refresh and rejuvenate their practice. The three one-hour programs will be broadcast in August from noon to 1 p.m. CDT each day. Join Immediate Past TBA President Tasha Blakney, Immediate Past TBA YLD President Brittany Faith and their colleagues for informative and lively talks on How to Measure Success on Aug. 14, How to Log Off When Your Workday is Done on Aug. 25 and How to Use Your Engagement Letter on Aug. 30. The first program will teach the business concept of key performance indicators for lawyers, focusing on the different ways to measure success, how to hit goalposts all year round instead of waiting until the end of the year, and how to self-evaluate including receipts, hours and other trackable key performance indicators.

The American Bar Association (ABA) today named Alpha M. Brady as the association’s new executive director. Brady, the first person of color to lead the ABA, has been serving as interim executive director since the departure of former Executive Director Jack Rives in March. She joined the ABA staff in 1988 and rose through the ranks at the association before being named deputy executive director in 2022. “During our search, we evaluated many outstanding candidates," Search Committee Chair Palmer Gene Vance II said. "Alpha Brady, with her long history within the ABA and her abundant talents as a leader, stood out as clearly the best.”

A precautionary lockdown was ordered for Memphis-Shelby County Schools today after an armed man attempted to enter and then fired a weapon outside the Margolin Hebrew Academy-Feinstone Yeshiva of the South, the Daily Memphian reports. Memphis Police Department Chief Cerelyn "CJ" Davis said officers later located the man's vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. He was fired on by officers as he exited the vehicle with his gun out. The suspect is in critical condition and has been transported to Regional One. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is investigating the shooting.

Davidson County lawyer Michael Lloyd Freeman today received a public censure from the Board of Professional Responsibility of the Tennessee Supreme Court. Freeman violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3 (diligence), 3.4(c) (fairness to opposing party and counsel) and 8.4(d) (prejudice to the administration of justice). A public censure is a rebuke and warning to the attorney, but it does not affect the attorney’s ability to practice law.

The Tennessee Supreme Court reinstated Williamson County lawyer Georgia B. Felner to the practice of law in Tennessee today. Felner was suspended by the court on June 28, 2019, for a period of three years, with a minimum 18 months to be served on active suspension and the remainder on probation, pursuant to Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Sections 12.2 and 14.

The Knoxville Bar Association (KBA) has begun a search to replace longtime Executive Director Marsha Watson, who will be leaving the post in December after 33 years. As the chief executive officer for the KBA, the director is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the association under the policies determined by the KBA Board of Governors. The director manages a staff of five employees, an annual operating budget of approximately $775,000 and the assets of all entities. Interested applicants should email a cover letter expressing their interest in the position along with a resume and references. Please include your salary requirements. Read the full job posting or contact the KBA Executive Director Search Committee for more information.