Kevin G. Ritz, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, issued a statement today urging those concerned about the deadly police attack on Tyre Nichols to express their views but to do so “in a peaceful and non-violent way.” Responding to calls to release the body cam video of Tyre’s interaction with the Memphis police, Ritz said that state and local authorities will determine when the video is released to the public. He warned that the federal investigation "may take some time” but assured residents his office is working diligently. In a separate interview with the Associated Press, Ritz said that investigators want to complete as many interviews as possible before releasing the video, but could do so later this week or next week. That timetable rankled activists who expected the video to be released after Nichols' family viewed it Monday.

The Tennessee Department of Revenue will host a free webinar Tuesday, Jan. 31 at 9 a.m. CT to learn more about the state's expanded agricultural sales tax exemption. The event will take place at 9 a.m. CT and focus on a new state law that allows qualified farmers and nursery operators to purchase tangible personal property used primarily in agricultural operations free from sales and use tax. Learn more or register.

Shelby County lawyer Patrick E. Stegall received a public censure from the Tennessee Supreme Court today. The court found that while representing a client on criminal charges in an appellate proceeding , Stegall failed to file the trial court transcript. He then failed to file a motion to extend the filing deadline. A show cause proceeding resulted in an order finding Stegall in contempt. The court found that his actions violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3, 3.2 and 3.4(c).

Columbia lawyer Patrick Carter has been named city attorney for the city of Fairview. He will begin serving in that role on Feb. 2. Carter is a principal at the Columbia law firm of Wolaver, Carter & Heffington. He will continue working at the firm and as the city attorney for the city of Spring Hill as he takes on this new role. Carter is a past member of the TBA Board of Governors and a member of the 2005 TBA Leadership Law class.

The Knoxville Bar Foundation is seeking funding proposals for projects that enhance the public’s understanding of and confidence in the legal system, improve the administration of justice, and serve the legal profession. Applications are due by March 3. Awards will be announced in May. Individual grant awards are usually $5,000 or less. Funding is not available for operating costs or endowments and multiple grant applications are discouraged. Apply here. The foundation was established in 1992 and has awarded $535,000 since its inception.

The Tennessee Supreme Court today extended from Jan. 20 to Feb. 20 the deadline for filing a comment on the Board of Law Examiners’ proposed amendments to Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 6 and 7. The extension was requested by the Tennessee Bar Association. Comments should reference docket number ADM2022-01449 and be sent to James M. Hivner, appellatecourtclerk@tncourts.gov Clerk, Tennessee Appellate Courts, 100 Supreme Court Building, 401 7th Ave. N., Nashville, TN 37219-1407.

Nashville Metro Law Director Wallace Dietz is warning that a plan being considered by the state legislature to cut the Metro Council would “create chaos” and trigger a possible legal battle, the Tennessean reports. Dietz has said that that the proposal “poses an existential threat not just to Nashville’s self-governance but to the constitutional rights of all local governments across the state.” He also argues that the large council “protects minority representation in government.” House Majority Leader William Lamberth of Portland and Sen. Bo Watson of Hixson, both Republicans, have filed legislation that would cap the size of metropolitan legislative bodies in the state at 20. The only government that would be affected by the proposal is Nashville’s Metro Council, which has had 40 members.

Justin J. Pearson has won the Tennessee State House District 86 election to fill the seat of the late Rep. Barbara Cooper, ABC News 24 reports. Pearson has advocated for various social justice initiatives in recent years, including raising money with the Poor People's Campaign for the town of Mason, Tennessee, and advocating for the removal of coal ash from Memphis neighborhoods. Cooper died in October but her name remained on the November ballot. She served the district for 26 years and was the oldest-serving state legislator until her death at age 93.

A coalition of 20 Republican-led states filed a lawsuit yesterday seeking to end a new Biden administration program that would allow up to 30,000 people a month from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela to apply for temporary immigration status in the United States. As part of the plan, Biden also authorized authorities to expel the same number of migrants from those countries if they cross the border without authorization. The suit alleges that the Department of Homeland Security exceeded its legal authority when it rolled out the initiative earlier this month. Roll Call has more on the story. Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti joined the suit. Read his statement.

The TBA Corporate Counsel Forum will take place April 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. CDT as a live virtual event. Join us online for this opportunity to earn four hours of general CLE credit. Watch for details about speakers and program topics coming soon.