New lawyers were welcomed to the legal profession at swearing ceremonies in Knoxville, Nashville, Memphis and Jackson. Representatives from the TBA and local bar associations were on hand to congratulate the new admittees, who passed the February bar exam. See photos from the events.

A panel of judges on the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals recently rejected an Ohio lawyer’s bid to revive his disability discrimination claim. Bloomberg Law reports that Daniel Lonergan was seeking to sue his previous law firm employer alleging that he was fired after the firm rejected accommodation requests for his attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The judicial panel found that Lonergan failed to establish that he met the initial criteria for claiming bias under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The panel decision upheld a lower court’s dismissal of the case. Lonergan represented himself in the litigation. Read the court’s opinion, which was not recommended for publication.

The U.S. Justice Department has announced the Model Cities Initiative (MCI), a whole-of-city approach directing nearly $300 million in federal funding to transform public safety in America’s cities. Through this initiative, two to four cities will be selected to receive awards supporting the implementation of comprehensive and innovative strategies to reduce crime, restore law and order and enhance public safety. Proposals from qualifying cities are due Sept. 1 and should be emailed to MCIapplications@usdoj.gov. Additional information about the award is available at www.justice.gov/grants.

The Nashville Banner writes in a recent piece that files unsealed in the case of former Davidson County Criminal Court Judge Cheryl Blackburn show concerns about her final days on the bench. According to the paper, the documents reveal that local attorneys grew increasingly concerned about Blackburn’s ability, at times, to comprehend the most basic legal concepts and to render the most rudimentary decisions in the years after a 2021 stroke. Attorneys who sought to disqualify Blackburn from a 2024 rape trial acknowledged her stature in the legal community and the likely impact of their request. Ultimately, though, they felt that “the gravity of that concern has been weighed and measured against the gravity of the rights of the accused.” The Banner sued to access many of these filings. The Tennessee Supreme Court recently found the records had been improperly sealed. Davidson County Criminal Court Judge Angelita Blackshear Dalton officially unsealed the filings this week.

The 32nd Judicial District court recently held a portrait unveiling and reception for Judge Michael “Mike” E. Spitzer, who retired last year. Judge William K. Lane III, who replaced Spitzer, writes that Spitzer played a critical role in the establishment of the judicial district and was the first judge to be elected in the district, which serves Hickman, Lewis and Perry counties. The district was created to help with a growing caseload in the 21st Judicial District due to Williamson County's rapid growth. Spitzer previously sat as one of five judges in the 21st District. See a photo of Spitzer and his family at the ceremony.

President Donald Trump announced today that he plans to name acting U.S. Attorney General (AG) Todd Blanche as the “permanent attorney general.” According to Bloomberg Law, a video posted by White House adviser Dan Scavino showed Trump making the announcement during a Rose Garden event. Blanche, a former personal lawyer to Trump, has served as acting attorney general since the president dismissed former AG Pam Bondi in early April. Before that, Blanche had been Bondi’s chief deputy.

The Trial Court Vacancy Commission met in Jonesborough to select nominees for a vacancy in the 1st Judicial District Criminal Court. After holding a public hearing and conducting public interviews, the commission selected three lawyers: Blountville attorney Tessa Nichole Lunceford, Erwin lawyer Robert Mitchell Manuel and Jonesborough lawyer Lawrence Scott Shults. The candidate selected will fill a vacancy created by the appointment of Judge Stacy Street to the appellate bench. The 1st Judicial District covers Carter, Johnson, Unicoi and Washington counties. Learn more about the candidates. 

A lawsuit against freight railroad company CSX Transportation is set to go to trial in August. A jury could determine the company’s role in the deaths of Waverly flood victims in 2021, the Tennessean reports. The plaintiffs allege that a debris-filled culvert owned by CSX acted like a dam, creating a large pool of floodwater. When the bridge and culvert gave way, they say it formed a “deadly tidal wave” that hit the heart of the small town. CSX has denied liability for the deaths in legal filings. The company’s attorneys write that the flood was tragic, there is no evidence that CSX played any role in the disaster.

Robertson County Attorney Clyde Richert will step down from his position effective July 1 after serving for 36 years as county attorney and practicing law in Springfield for 49 years, according to Main Street Media TN. Richert informed county commissioners of his decision during the May 18 Robertson County Commission meeting, saying he plans to transition responsibilities while remaining available to assist with ongoing county matters. A Springfield native and senior partner at Richert & Dilliha, Richert has represented Robertson County's elected and appointed officials in legal matters for nearly four decades. Richert said his son, Jarod Richert — who also works at the firm — could serve as interim county attorney until the county commission appoints a permanent replacement. He plans to continue his private law practice.

A Davidson County Chancery Court judge has denied a request from death row inmate Tony Carruthers for an independent medical examination following Tennessee's failed attempt to execute him last month, WPLN reports. Carruthers' attorneys sought the examination after execution personnel were unable to establish an IV and a physician unsuccessfully attempted to gain access through other parts of his body before the execution was halted. They also have raised questions about the doctor who was on hand for the procedure. While denying the medical exam request, the court ordered the Tennessee Department of Correction to preserve all equipment, records, communications and other materials related to the execution attempt. Carruthers' legal team is arguing that the incident is relevant to ongoing litigation, which is challenging Tennessee's lethal injection protocol and alleging deficiencies in the training and oversight of execution personnel.