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.

Two University of Tennessee College of Law professors received honors this 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 Memphis Bar Association's Access to Justice Committee and Young Lawyers Division will join with Memphis Area Legal Services and local elected officials to host a Restoration of Rights Community Clinic on July 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. CDT. The clinic will be held at the Legacy Impact Center, 2285 Frayser Blvd., Memphis 38127. Members of the public are invited to attend to get help with criminal expungements, reinstatement of drivers’ licenses and voting rights. The deadline to preregister is June 23. Those with questions should contact 901-527-3573. View a flyer for the event.

Davidson County lawyer Marian Boyle Greer was reinstated to the practice of law Friday. She had been on inactive status since May 18, 2014. The Board of Professional Responsibility reviewed the petition for reinstatement and stated that is was satisfactory. The reinstatement will be effective as of April 26.

Nashville District Attorney Glenn Funk said Tuesday that his office will not pursue charges against Metro Nashville Police Officer Kendall Coon in the fatal police shooting of music producer Mark Capps and is asking the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to close the review, the Tennessean reports. In a letter obtained by the Tennessean, Funk wrote TBI agent James Scarbro that Coon's actions were reasonably necessary considering the facts and circumstances in the case. Coon was one of three Nashville SWAT officers who were attempting to serve aggravated assault and kidnapping warrants to Capps at his home after Capps had allegedly held his wife and stepdaughter at gunpoint the previous night.

Nashville residents will have an opportunity to meet the 12 candidates running for city mayor this summer at a series of forums to be held throughout Davidson County. Mayor John Cooper has decided not to seek reelection. The deadline to register to vote is July 5. Early voting begins July 14 and the general election will be held Aug. 3. All forums are open to the public but require prior registration. Visit the Nashville Banner for an updated schedule.

Attorneys for Kingston area coal workers and Jacobs Solutions have settled lawsuits related to the clean up of a coal ash spill in 2008 that released 5.4 million cubic yards of waste, reported KnoxNews. The spill engulfed area homes and surged into the Emory River Channel in Roane County. Jacobs Solutions, formerly known as Jacobs Engineering, had been contracted by TVA to manage sitewide safety and health. Former workers or their family members filed more than 300 lawsuits claiming health problems as a result of their work for Jacobs. The settlement came while both parties were waiting on a judgment from the Tennessee Supreme Court on whether workers could proceed to a second trial.