President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order naming one law firm, Perkins Coie, for specific activities and directing a federal review of other law firms over diversity and inclusion initiatives. The order directs the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to “review the practices of representative large, influential, or industry leading law firms for consistency with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, including whether large law firms: reserve certain positions, such as summer associate spots, for individuals of preferred races; promote individuals on a discriminatory basis; permit client access on a discriminatory basis; or provide access to events, trainings, or travel on a discriminatory basis.” It also directs the U.S. attorney general, in coordination with the EEOC, to investigate the “practices of large law firms who do business with federal entities for compliance with race-based and sex-based non-discrimination laws and take any additional actions” deemed appropriate "in light of the evidence uncovered."

Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly hopes federal officials will reconsider the decision to place a new federal courthouse near Vine Street, the Chattanoogan Times Free Press reports. The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) selected the site for the courthouse, which will include seven courtrooms, nine chambers and 40 parking spaces. Kelly said in an interview last week he believes there may be a change of heart regarding the location. According to Local News 3, the property owners of the site also oppose the decision, stating they repeatedly informed GSA that the properties were not for sale and advocated for an alternative location. Chattanooga city and Hamilton County officials had previously urged the federal government to consider the TVA downtown office complex. The GSA, citing a Final Supplemental Environmental Assessment, maintains that Vine Street is the most advantageous location and that the project will have no significant environmental impact. Design is expected to begin in spring 2025, with construction planned to start in spring 2027.

The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) on behalf of the Tennessee Supreme Court has proposed a plan to address the growing crisis in providing legal representation to indigent individuals in Tennessee. Under the current program, many attorneys cannot afford to take appointed cases due to low compensation and program constraints. Among the innovative elements of the plan is a proposal to utilize strategic and flexible contracting with attorneys. Contracts with attorneys would use a combination of retainer, flat fee and hourly or other contracts and would be tailored to fit the qualifications of the attorney, the complexity of the case type and the particular needs of the judicial district. In addition, attorneys would have options to contract to provide this representation for a percentage of their time, allowing appointed cases to be balanced with other clients. Learn more about the plan and indigent representation in Tennessee. Watch for more details about the plan in upcoming issues of TBA Today. 

A study by attorneys H.E. Miller Jr. and Bradley MacLean highlights disparities in Tennessee’s death penalty system, showing that individuals convicted of multiple murders often receive life sentences, while many on death row were convicted of killing a single victim, the Nashville Banner reports. The analysis found 365 cases where defendants convicted of multiple murders were not sentenced to death, while 29 of the 46 people currently on Tennessee’s death row were convicted of killing only one person. The research also reveals geographic data, with Shelby County accounting for more than half of Tennessee’s death row population, while individuals from other counties with similar crimes have fewer or no death sentences. The findings come as the Tennessee Supreme Court has begun resetting execution dates in the state.

The Tennessee Governor's Office is accepting applications for a commissioner on the Tennessee Claims Commission due to the expiration of William Young's term, effective June 30. To qualify, candidates must have resided in the Eastern Grand Division for at least one year, lived in Tennessee for five years and be licensed to practice law in Tennessee for at least five years. A commissioner may not practice law while serving on the commission. Attorneys interested in the position should submit a resume and cover letter to the governor’s office for consideration. Applications should be directed to Chief Counsel to the Governor Erin Merrick via her assistant at Katelin.Brown@tn.gov by April 14. For more details read the notice of vacancy.

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti announced in a press release that Chris Tutor has been named the new chief of staff, succeeding Brandon Smith, who is returning to private practice. Tutor, a Memphis native, joins the Attorney General’s Office from Butler Snow LLP, where he was a partner focusing on commercial real estate and business transactions. He earned his law degree from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. As chief of staff, Tutor will oversee the office’s legislative and communications teams and coordinate with other state attorneys general and federal partners. “Chris Tutor’s distinguished career to date is a model of integrity, competence, and temperance, and we are excited to welcome him to the Attorney General’s Office,” Skrmetti said. “His enthusiasm and abiding love for Tennessee and its people will serve our state well.”

The U.S. Justice Department (DOJ) is urging the American Bar Association (ABA) to eliminate its diversity requirements for law schools or risk losing its accrediting authority. In a Feb. 28 letter, posted on social media site X, Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that the ABA was subjecting law faculties and students to unlawful race and sex discrimination under its diversity mandates and called for their immediate repeal, Bloomberg News reports. Last month, the ABA temporarily suspended enforcement of a rule requiring law schools to diversify faculty and students. Jennifer Rosato Perea, the ABA’s managing director of accreditation, confirmed the rule remains suspended and said the Council on Legal Education is working on revisions to ensure compliance with current law. The council is set to review any changes at its May meeting.

The Nashville Bar Foundation (NBF) honored the 2025 Class of Fellows on Saturday in Nashville. The NBF Fellows Program recognizes Nashville Bar Association members who have practiced for at least 10 years and have made outstanding contributions to the legal profession and public good while demonstrating a strong commitment to the foundation’s goals. Each year, the NBF provides funding for projects that align with its mission. The David Rutherford Award was presented to Judge Joe P. Binkley Jr., an honor given annually to a fellow who exemplifies professionalism, charitable contributions and a spirit of collegiality in the legal community. A full list of honorees and grant recipients is available in the NBF’s press release.

Immigration enforcement activity at Nashville jails has surged in recent weeks, with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) increasing detention requests and taking more individuals into federal custody for deportation proceedings, the Nashville Banner reports. In February, ICE agents picked up nearly four times as many people from Nashville jails as they did in the same month last year. The Davidson County Sheriff’s Office does not directly contact ICE, but its booking system automatically sends arrest information to the agency. Under a state law passed last year, local law enforcement in Tennessee must honor ICE detainer requests, allowing the agency 48 hours to take an undocumented immigrant into custody. In February 2024, ICE made 33 detainer requests, taking 11 individuals into custody. Last month, the Sheriffs office received 75 requests, with 42 people later picked up by ICE agents.

Shelby County Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr., who was federally charged with bribery and tax evasion last week, has been placed on leave from his job with the City of Memphis, the Commercial Appeal reports. Ford, a senior financial literacy coordinator, provides virtual and in-person classes on credit, homeownership and investing. Earlier this week, Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris asked the Board of Commissioners to prevent Ford from proposing grants while facing criminal charges and said he plans to meet with legal authorities and county officials to determine any necessary further action, according to The Daily Memphian.