The Oral History Committee of the Lawyers' Association for Women (LAW) Marion Griffin Chapter on Friday presented a film featuring the life and impactful work of U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals Senior Judge Martha "Cissy" Daughtrey, a founder of LAW. The film was followed by a panel discussion featuring members of the legal community who have worked with Daughtrey over the years and who spoke about her impact on gender equity in the legal profession. The group capped off the night with its annual holiday celebration. See a photo from the event.

The TBA will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday in observance of the Christmas holiday. Offices will reopen Thursday at 8 a.m. CST. Online CLE programming will remain available throughout the holidays.

Gov. Bill Lee granted executive clemency in the form of a pardon to 43 individuals convicted of crimes, who have served their sentences and been out of prison for at least five years, according to a new annual list, the Daily Memphian reports. Lee said the list, which was compiled with recommendations from the Tennessee Board of Parole, includes individuals who have demonstrated "exemplary citizenship" since their release. “It’s a powerful tool, and I do not take it lightly,” Lee told reporters ahead of the list’s release. “They show a rehabilitative effort that is unique.”

Lawmakers received a draft report from the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (TACIR) on Thursday morning addressing issues within the state’s childcare industry. According to WSMV News, the study, mandated by Public Chapter 934, Acts of 2024, examined the characteristics and conditions of childcare workers and explored ways to expand support for early childhood educators. Key findings included discrepancies between zoning requirements from local communities and the Department of Human Services, with some local areas enforcing stricter rules. Additionally, 55% of childcare business owners cited staffing challenges as a major concern. The report recommended increased state support for childcare workers, including incentive programs, and suggested eliminating state and local business taxes for childcare providers. Researchers are working to finalize the draft of the report.

The Tennessee Association of Recovery Court Professionals has awarded the 2024 Ellen L. Abbott Vanguard Award to the 23rd District Recovery Court for its leadership in criminal justice reform. The award recognizes a demonstrated leader in the implementation of a criminal justice initiative or advocacy project. In a press release, the association praised the court’s efforts to reform the criminal justice system, highlighting the work of Circuit Judge Suzanne Lockert-Mash. "For too long, society has used incarceration as the primary tool for dealing with those with addictions. It hasn't worked. Addiction is worse than ever. Prisons are full. The 23rd Judicial District Recovery Court, under Judge Lockert-Mash's direction, is a model of success," the release states. The 23rd District Recovery Court serves Cheatham, Dickson, Houston, Humphreys and Stewart counties.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Tuesday that inmate Wesley Joyner died at the Shelby County Jail after being found unresponsive in his cell, according to the Daily Memphian. The sheriff’s office is awaiting results from the Shelby County Medical Examiner’s Office, but preliminary findings suggest Joyner died from an overdose. Joyner’s death marks the second inmate fatality at the jail in less than a month and the second overdose-related death at the facility this year.

The Napier-Looby Bar Association held its annual holiday celebration at Holland & Knight, with proceeds benefiting the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands (LAS). DarKenya W. Waller, executive director of LAS, spoke at the event. Chicoya Gallman, immediate past president, began the holiday party as an LAS fundraiser during her presidency. See a photo from the event.

The Tennessee Supreme Court has ordered an increase of $100 in the annual registration fee paid by attorneys to the Board of Professional Responsibility (BPR) and adjustment to the allocation of those funds. The order amends Supreme Court Rules 9 and 33 and will be effective March 1, 2025, according to a press release from the Administrative Office of the Courts. In October, the court published for public comment the proposed amendments to increase the annual registration fee from $170 to $270 and to adjust the allocation of funds to $225 to the Board of Professional Responsibility (BPR), $30 to the Tennessee Lawyer Assistance Program (TLAP) and $15 to the Tennessee Lawyers Fund for Client Protection (TLFCP). According to the release, the court adopted the proposed amendments because the annual registration fee is one of the lowest in the country and has remained unchanged since 2009. Lawyers will begin paying the increased annual registration fee as of March 1, 2025.

New York based global management consulting firm McKinsey & Company Inc., has agreed to pay $650 million to resolve both criminal and civil investigations into its consulting work with opioid manufacturer Purdue Pharma. The Department of Justice in a press release said the resolution relates to McKinsey’s advice to Purdue on the sales and marketing of the opioid drug OxyContin, including a 2013 engagement where McKinsey recommended strategies to "turbocharge" sales. McKinsey faces one felony count for destroying records to obstruct a government investigation and one misdemeanor count for conspiring with Purdue to misbrand prescription drugs. As part of the settlement, McKinsey will pay over $231 million in penalties, more than $93 million in forfeitures and $2 million to the Virginia Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. Additionally, the firm will pay over $323 million in a civil settlement. A former McKinsey senior partner who worked on Purdue matters has also been charged with obstruction of justice in federal court. According to the DOJ statement, the resolution marks the first time a management consulting firm has been held criminally responsible for advice resulting in the commission of a crime by a client. 

The TBA will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday in observance of the Christmas holiday. Offices will reopen Thursday at 8 a.m. CST. Online CLE programming will remain available throughout the holidays.