Nashville Chancellor I'Ashea Myles ruled yesterday that Covenant School, Covenant Presbyterian Church and a group of Covenant parents may intervene in lawsuits filed against Metro Nashville seeking records related to the shooting at Covenant School in March. Myles also ruled the parents may continue pseudonymously in the case to protect the identities of their children. The school and church had requested the intervention to prevent release of sensitive security information or inspiring "copy-cat perpetrators," reports the Tennessean. Their attorneys also argued the release of the records could further traumatize the school’s children.

Two University of Tennessee College of Law professors received honors last month from the school for accomplishments in academic work. Professor Wendy Bach received the Jefferson Prize, which is awarded annually to a tenured or tenure-track faculty member who has demonstrated excellence in research and creative activity. Bach focuses her work on clinical legal education and poverty law. Associate Professor Joy Radice received the Excellence in Academic Outreach Award, which honors those who exemplify the school’s mission by using intellectual capital to benefit the citizens of Tennessee. Her focus is on the intersection of criminal law and the administrative state, and the gap in access to civil counsel.

The Tennessee Supreme Court today held oral arguments in two cases before the American Legion Boys State at Tennessee Technological University. The event was part of the court’s award-winning SCALES program, which is designed to educate students about the judicial branch of government. Read about the cases or watch the arguments on the court’s YouTube page.

Speaking at a dinner last night in Washington, D.C., U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts said there is more the court can do to “adhere to the highest standards” of ethical conduct and that the justices “are continuing to look at the things we can do to give practical effect to that commitment.” He also said he is “confident there are ways to do that consistent with our status as an independent branch of government and the Constitution’s separation of powers.” Roberts provided no specifics though, the Associated Press reports. Roberts was attending the American Law Institute's annual dinner, where he received the Henry J. Friendly Medal.

The Nashville office of Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein hosted a reception earlier this month for women trial lawyers from across the country who were in town for the “A Class Of Our Own” conference. The conference was produced by Epiq and sponsored, in part, by the firm. Topics included eDiscovery, mass torts, consumer actions and other complex litigation matters. The reception was held at the firm’s downtown Nashville office. See photos from the Nashville Post.

The Sixth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals has become the second court to reject a lenient standard that federal judges generally use to determine whether to certify wage-and-hour collective actions under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Bloomberg Law reports that the court “in a splintered decision” set precedent by establishing a new, higher evidentiary standard that workers must meet when seeking to resolve their claims as a group rather than individually in FLSA actions.

A federal judge in Memphis on Friday continued to temporary block release of more video footage and records in the investigation into Tyre Nichols’ death, though he did show willingness to make information public so long as it does not interfere with the trials for five police officers facing charges. The Associated Press reports that Shelby County Criminal Court Judge James Jones Jr. directed prosecutors to outline the information they think should and should not be released and then give the list to defense attorneys. At issue is additional video footage and about 2,500 pages of documents.

Elk Valley Times writers Lora Scripps and Wanda Southerland will receive the Fourth Estate Award during the Tennessee Bar Association’s annual convention in Knoxville. The award will be presented at the Lawyers Luncheon on June 16. Scripps, the paper's general manager and editor, and Southerland, one of its reporters, are being recognized for six months of reporting on the Lincoln County mayor’s decision to exclude Jack Daniels from certain planning and zoning requirements, including site plans, permitting and fees. The move comes as local residents express concern about “whiskey fungus” created by unregulated barrel houses. The Fourth Estate Award was established to recognize and encourage journalists who promote public understanding of the rule of law and improvements in our system of justice through their vigorous exercise of their First Amendment rights. Read TBA’s full release on the award.

The Chattanooga Bar Association held its annual Law Day event last week. Belmont University College of Law Dean Alberto R. Gonzales gave the keynote address. Gonzales previously served on the Texas Supreme Court, as White House as counsel to the president and as U.S. attorney general. The group also presented its 2023 Liberty Bell Award to Allen Branum, a former sheriff of Hamilton County. He previously served as an officer and then chief of police with the Soddy-Daisy Police, as a member of the Soddy-Daisy Board of Commissioners and as mayor of the city. He was honored for his long service to the community. See a photo from the event.

The Tennessee Department of Revenue will hold a free webinar on May 30 at 9 a.m. CDT for people interested in tax exemptions for nonprofit organizations. The session will cover topics such as nonprofit exemptions on sales and use tax, business tax, franchise tax, excise tax and other miscellaneous taxes. The webinar is one in a series of educational sessions held by the department each month. Learn more or register.