A new bill introduced by House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, would create a statutory framework for determining if youth are sent to juvenile or adult criminal court, Nashville Public Radio reports. Currently, when a juvenile is charged with a crime, they go to juvenile court with transfer to adult court used in the most serious cases. The bill would reverse that process, sending juveniles to adult court first but allowing criminal court judges in some circumstances to refer them to juvenile court. Depending on the child’s age, qualifying crimes could be murder, aggravated robbery or carjacking. Juvenile justice advocates are saying the change could have disastrous results. They also argue that the bill would take discretion away from juvenile judges, who have the expertise to weigh factors such as a young person’s mental health and history.

Just days after Gov. Bill Lee signed a bill that will cut Nashville's council in half, the city has filed a lawsuit against the state claiming the law violates the Tennessee Constitution and the rights of Davidson County voters. It also has filed a motion for injunction, asking the court to halt the law’s implementation to allow local elections in August to proceed as originally planned. In the suit, Metro argues the new law dismantles the government established by voters when Davidson County and Nashville consolidated in the early 1960s, violating the home rule amendment of the state Constitution. The suit also argues that the statute's proposal to extend current council members' terms should Metro not meet a May 1 redistricting deadline violates a state constitution provision mandating four-year terms for county legislators. The suit will be heard by a panel of three judges. The Tennessean has more on the issue.

Recordings from the TBA’s 2023 Tort & Insurance Law Forum are now available on-demand as a 1-click CLE package. Programming features a health care liability update, and an overview of ethical issues attorneys face in conducting investigations and interviewing current and former employees of an opposing corporate litigant. The program also includes a panel of attorneys discussing the proper disclosure of experts. Earn one dual and two general CLE credits with just one click. Read more and purchase the CLE here.

A bill moving through the legislature would change how Knoxville voters elect city council members. Currently, when voters head to the polls during city primary elections, they are allowed to vote for candidates only in their district. During the city general elections, however, Knoxville voters are able to vote for candidates in all districts. The bill, HB 0817, was introduced by Rep. Elaine Davis, R-Knoxville. It would delete a section from the Tennessee code that created the voting rule exemptions for cities and counties of specific sizes (currently Knoxville and Morristown are the only two cities that utilize the exemption). Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville, voted against the bill. She said she believes it would cause more confusion surrounding local elections, saying many people in her district, which includes Knoxville, have spent decades voting in city elections every two years and would need to change their voting habits. WBIR Channel 10 News in Knoxville has the story.

A swearing in ceremony for Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti will take place April 3 at 2 p.m. CDT at Ware Memorial Auditorium in Nashville. A short program will include featured guests: Gov. Bill Lee; Congressman David Kustoff; Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger A. Page, Justices Sharon G. Lee, Jeffrey S. Bivins, Holly Kirby and Sarah K. Campbell; and Butler Snow partner and former U.S. Attorney for the Western District, Ed Stanton. A reception will follow the ceremony. Please RSVP via Eventbrite. View the invitation.

Join the Dispute Resolution Section for its annual forum on May 19 featuring carefully crafted sessions tailored to both lawyers and mediators, and offering attendees a program featuring accomplished professionals from the ADR vocation. Stay tuned for more information!

The American Mock Trial Association’s (AMTA) 38th Annual National Championship Tournament is being held at Rhodes College in Memphis April 14-16. If you are interested in serving as a judge, please register here.

Dedra Brown, Elizabeth Luminoso and Kimberly Trotter, all 3Ls at Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law, have been nominated as spring 2023 fellows to work alongside the American Bar Association Legal Education and Police Practices Consortium. Trotter is the newest LMU Law addition to the fellowship, as Luminoso and Brown both participated as fall 2022 fellows. The consortium is a collaboration of approximately 60 law schools across the country. Its mission is to collaborate with law schools “to advance the practice of policing, promote racial equity in the criminal legal system, and eliminate policing tactics that are racially motivated or have a disparate impact based on race.” The fellows will help advance these goals by forming connections in the Knoxville law enforcement community, gathering information on local police practices, and assisting in the research efforts of the consortium.

The United Nations General Assembly designates today as International Day of Women Judges. The representation of women in the judiciary is significant for many reasons. In addition to ensuring that the legal system is developed with all of society in mind, it also inspires the next generation of female judges and motivates them to achieve their goals. Learn how you can celebrate this year’s theme of “Women in Justice, Women for Justice.”

Attorney Matt Wilson was confirmed yesterday by the General Assembly as the newest member of the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals – Western Section. Wilson was appointed by Gov. Bill Lee in January after a lengthy application process that included a public hearing. He fills the vacancy left after the passing of Judge John Everett Williams in September 2022. Wilson was sworn in as a judge immediately after his confirmation. He has most recently served as an assistant U.S. attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, a position he has held since 2011.