An administrative law judge has rejected plans by Vanderbilt University Medical Center to establish a new Rutherford County hospital, siding with a trio of inpatient facilities already operating in and around the area, Tennessee Lookout reports. Members of a state health agency panel earlier had approved Vanderbilt’s plans to build a new $144 million hospital but Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital, TriStar StoneCrest Medical Center and Williamson Medical Center appealed the decision. The judge overturned the decision saying Vanderbilt had failed to show the need for a new facility.

Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) has turned over transgender patient medical records to the Tennessee Attorney General's office, the Tennessean reports. The attorney general’s office confirmed yesterday that it is conducting an investigation into potential medical billing fraud at the hospital. VUMC reportedly informed patients that the information was turned over as a result of an investigation into "billing for transgender care services provided to individuals enrolled in State-sponsored insurance plans." VUMC also told patients it was assured by the AG’s office that records would remain confidential, and offered patients a hotline number to call with questions and concerns. The attorney general's office today issued a statement about the investigation.

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito failed to disclose a luxury fishing trip he took with billionaire Paul Singer, and then declined to recuse himself from cases involving the hedge fund founder, ProPublica alleges in a new report. At issue is a July 2008 trip in which Alito flew free on Singer’s private jet and stayed at a fishing lodge charging more than $1,000 per night. In the years following the trip, Singer’s hedge fund came before the Supreme Court at least 10 times, including in a bond default case decided in the fund’s favor, the watchdog group says. In an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal yesterday, Alito said he was not required to disclose the trip under rules in place at the time, adding that he did not know Singer was a party to some of the cases and never discussed pending litigation with him. Bloomberg News has a recap of the report’s findings, which also included allegations that Justice Antonin Scalia failed to report free jet travel and a stay at the same lodge in 2005.

There is still time to register for the TBA's LGBT Forum 2023! The program will take place virtually Friday from 10 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. CDT with a focus on issues affecting the trans community. Join leaders from across the state who will provide essential updates on access to health care, trans-focused legislation and more.

Nashville lawyer Seth Ogden was selected as the recipient of the 2023 Larry Dean Wilks Leadership Award. Ogden was chosen by fellow members of the Tennessee Bar Association’s 2023 Leadership Law class and was honored during the group’s graduation ceremonies in Knoxville last week. The award is named for former President Larry D. Wilks and recognizes a TBALL class member with exceptional leadership qualities. “I am humbled to receive this award from my peers,” said Ogden. “Leadership is about empowering others to achieve their goals, and I deeply appreciate this recognition of my commitment to helping others succeed." Ogden is the 11th recipient of the award.

The TBA Young Lawyers Division Fellows met for their annual meeting Friday night as part of the TBA's 2023 Annual Convention. The group elected U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Rachel Mancl as president, Jackson lawyer Michelle Greenway Sellers as vice president, Memphis lawyer Mason Wilson as secretary and Chattanooga lawyer David McDowell as treasurer. Outgoing president Rachel Moses of Cookeville also inducted six new fellows: Chattanooga lawyers Blair Bennington Cannon, Matt Brock, Justin Faith, David McDowell and Wade Hinton, and Memphis lawyer Will Perry. Three honorary fellows also were named, including, Knoxville lawyer Heidi Barcus, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Suzanne Bauknight of Knoxville and Senior U.S. District Judge Curtis Lynn Collier of Chattanooga. Barcus was recognized for her election as TBA vice president while the judges were recognized for their assistance with the YLD’s Debt Relief Clinics. See photos from the event.

The TBA Young Lawyers Division met last week in Knoxville in conjunction with the TBA's 2023 Annual Convention. On Friday, the group held its Annual Meeting, at which Memphis lawyer Quinton Thompson took office as president. Others taking office were President-elect Sean Aiello of Franklin, Vice President Alex McVeagh of Chattanooga, Secretary Ross Smith of Nashville and Treasurer Darius Walker Jr. of Nashville. The 2023-2024 YLD Board then met on Saturday for committee planning sessions and its first board meeting. On Friday, the group met for its annual board dinner. During the evening, outgoing president Brittany Thomas Faith presented a number of awards. The President’s Award was given to Knoxville lawyer Samantha Ellis for her work developing YLD CLE programs, and Chattanooga lawyer Justin Faith for his assistance during the year. Distinguished service awards were presented to Hamilton County Judge Alex McVeagh and President-elect Quinton Thompson. The Public Service Award was presented to Mock Trial Long Range Planning Committee Chair Kati Goodner and Mock Trial Committee Chair Judge Zack Walden and Vice Chair Ashley Tipton for their work on the 2023 competition. Finally, six were recognized with Star of the Quarter Awards: Billy Leslie, for service as immediate past president; Michael Holmes, for assistance with the mock trial competition; Courtney Smith, for service as co-chair of the Diversity Committee; Lindsay Oakes for service as Publications Committee vice chair; and Charlotte Mattingly and John Murphy for work on the "Welcome to Tennessee Basket.” In addition to YLD activities, the 2023 class of the Diversity Leadership Institute met for programming during the convention and celebrated their graduation at the dinner. The group completed a service project at the Richard Bean Detention Center on Saturday. See photos from these events.

Portland lawyer and TBA member David Milton Amonette died June 12. He was 80. Amonette was born in Nashville and graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1964. After serving in the Air Force National Guard during the Vietnam War, he earned his law degree attending the YMCA Law School at night, graduating in June 1973. Amonette began his 50-year law career in the Third National Bank legal department before joining Nashville law firm Bone & Woods. Amonette also ran for state senator in 1982. Visitation will be held Sunday from 1-3 p.m. CDT at McKendree Memorial United Methodist Church, 208 Wheeler St., Portland 37148. A celebration of Amonette’s life will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to McKendree Memorial UMC.

Memphis lawyer Jim Barry was sworn in Friday as the 143rd president of the Tennessee Bar Association. During the luncheon, he outlined his goals for the year. If you missed the livestream of his remarks, the recording is available on the TBA Facebook page.

Mark your calendar for Dec. 1 and plan to attend the Annual Environmental Forum! More details will be available soon on the CLE website.