The free legal advice clinic for nonprofits and Black-owned small businesses, originally planned for March 16, has been rescheduled to March 23. The clinic is sponsored by the Nashville Arts & Business Council's Volunteer Lawyers and Professionals for the Arts and the law firm of Bradley Arant Boult Cummings. Clients should sign up online by March 20. Email vlpa@abcnashville.org to volunteer.

Three Knoxville Police Department officers and a transportation officer are being investigated for their treatment of a woman whose pleas for help were ignored as they accused her of faking an illness, the Associated Press reports. The police officers, Brandon Wardlaw, Adam Barnett and Timothy Distasio, and transportation officer Danny Dugan are on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation into their conduct. Earlier this week, the Knox County District Attorney’s office announced it would not press criminal charges after an autopsy determined that “at no time did law enforcement interaction cause or contribute” to Lisa Edwards’ death. Video of the interactions shows the officers rebuff her many requests for help.

Members of the Tennessee Black Caucus are calling on legislative leaders to take action against Rep. Paul Sherrell, R-Sparta, following his remarks at a committee hearing about new execution procedures. The House Criminal Justice Committee was considering a bill to allow for use of the electric chair and firing squads in state executions when Sherrell suggested another option. “Can I put an amendment on that that would include hanging by a tree also?” The comment went viral with some calling on Sherrell to resign and others calling for him to be removed from his committees. Rep. Sam McKenzie, D-Knoxville, chair of the Black Caucus, also said the Republican Caucus should speak up. Yesterday, two days after the comment, Sherrell read an apology during a House session, WPLN reports. Rep. McKenzie said in response, “We lived a 15-generation nightmare in this country … This situation is not over.” WKRN has his comments.

The Tennessee Supreme Court issued a “housekeeping” amendment to Rule 4(A)(1) yesterday. The amendment changes the reference to “Southwestern Reporter” to “South Western Reporter” in language requiring opinions of the court to be published in the official reporter. The amendment will take effect immediately.

The Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law (LMU Law) has launched a new part-time/hybrid law degree program and is currently accepting applications for the fall of 2023. The school says that it won approval from the American Bar Association last week to create the program and offer distance education hours in excess of those currently permitted under ABA standards. The new program will replace the school’s flex-time enrollment option, which has allowed students to take a reduced load of credits for the past 10 years, but has still required in-person daytime classes. The new program will provide an option for individuals who need or want to work full-time. Associate Dean for Distance Education Vonda Laughlin will oversee the program.

Live Nation Entertainment Inc. and its subsidiary Ticketmaster LLC asked a U.S. judge last week to halt a proposed consumer class action over their botched sale of Taylor Swift concert tickets. The companies urged the judge to force claims to be heard privately in arbitration, arguing that ticket buyers agree to binding arbitration when they purchase tickets online. Read more from Reuters.

Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will be in Nashville this weekend for the annual gathering of the Clinton Global Initiative University, hosted by Vanderbilt University. Sessions begin today and continue through Sunday, Axios Nashville reports. Several sessions will be livestreamed online. The event aims to connect college students with experts "to develop innovative solutions to global challenges." U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg also is expected to be among the speakers. He appeared at an event at the Nashville International Airport today to promote a $7 million federal grant for improvements to the airport's access road.

TBA's Estate Planning Section is offering a free virtual program on March 30 to explore how forensic genealogy can be used in the legal setting. Christine E. Neumann, a professional forensic genealogist with over 25 years of research experience, will discuss how forensic genealogy be used to identify and locate missing or unknown heirs and beneficiaries. Neumann will discuss the most important aspects to be considered when hiring a forensic genealogist and how to make the most of the genealogist-attorney partnership. Get more information or register here.

Gov. Bill Lee yesterday signed two controversial pieces of legislation, the Tennessean reports. Lee signed SB3/HB9, which bans "adult-oriented performances that are harmful to minors," as defined in Tennessee's obscenity law, from public places and venues where children are present. He also signed SB1/HB1, which bans transgender or nonbinary minors from seeking medical treatment for gender transitioning or dysphoria. The American Civil Liberties Union, which had previously warned they would sue if the bill became law, reiterated its plans to defend "the rights of families and the lives of transgender youth in Tennessee." The law, which was fast-tracked by the legislature's Republican supermajority, takes effect this summer, with a March 31, 2024, deadline for minors to end any existing treatment.

TBA is out with a new Legislative Updates podcast today with TBA Director of Public Policy & Government Affairs Berkley Schwarz and Adams and Reese attorneys and TBA lobbyists Brad Lampley and Ashley Harbin. This week they discuss HB318/SB270, the most recent version of Gov. Bill Lee's adoption bill; HB854/SB919 and HB855/SB921, TBA's adoption bills; HB1071/SB1393, TBA's medical records bill; HB40/SB122, legislation prohibiting foreign ownership of real property by nonresident aliens; and HB795/SB283, the "Guns in the Courthouse" bill. Legislative Updates airs each week the legislature is in session on TBA’s Facebook page. It is also released as a podcast on the same day and can be found on the TBA’s website or wherever you listen to podcasts.