Crime rates in Memphis are trending down from last year, according to data from the Memphis Police Department. The Daily Memphian reports that year-to-date, overall violent crime incidents are down around 8% compared to the same point last year, and at the same time, arrests are up, likely due to a new department task force. Murders are down 31%, guns stolen from cars have decreased 24%, juvenile arrests for gun charges are down 7.3% and car thefts and car break-ins are down 38% and 19%, respectively. The number of interstate shootings also has decreased.

The Biden administration has released a rule “overhauling” the H-1B work visa program with the aim of streamlining the application process and limiting abuse of the program. An article from The Hill highlights the changes, which include clarifying who can apply for an H-1B work visa, expanding the definition of specialty occupation positions, and spelling out the requirements for nonprofit and governmental research organizations to sponsor visas. Of note, the changes impose H-1B eligibility requirements on third-party beneficiaries rather than applicant organizations; codify numerical cap exemptions for research jobs to allow nonprofits and academia to sponsor visas year-round; allow foreign nationals transitioning from a student visa to an H-1B to avoid gaps in employment; and expand the government’s authority to conduct site visits to ensure proper implementation of the visa.

Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law (LMU Law) has announced the hiring of Lucille C. McGee as director of experiential learning and assistant professor of law. McGee is a graduate of Harvard University’s Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning, where she earned a higher education teaching certificate in 2020. She received her law degree from the Appalachian School of Law and a degree in English from the University of Georgia. In her new role, McGee will oversee LMU Law’s experiential learning programs, including clinics, externships and simulation courses. She also will teach practice-oriented courses such as externships and pleadings and practice. Read more in a press release from the law school.

After a state investigation found Nashville District Attorney (DA) Glenn Funk's office secretly recorded criminal defense attorneys, office employees and visitors, a special prosecutor has been appointed to handle a 24-year-old murder case. Robert Nash, DA for Montgomery and Robertson counties, will take over the case of Calvin Atchison from Funk's office. The Tennessean reports that in October, Judge Cynthia Chappell postponed the trial for Atchison, who is accused of killing a North Nashville woman in 2000. Atchison's defense attorney Ben Powers had asked Chappell to disqualify the Nashville DA's office from prosecuting the case because Powers and a private investigator were pictured in the state's audit report about the situation. State investigators also found an audio recording of the two as they worked in the Funk's office.

The TBA has released the December episode of its BarBuzz podcast. "A Discussion on Health and Wellness for Lawyers During the Holidays" features Brad Bald from Lifestyle Communities and Lauren Castor from the Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program (TLAP) and focuses on the importance of mental health and wellness for attorneys during the holiday season. Bald and Castor share insights on upcoming programs and resources offered by the TBA Attorney Well Being Committee and TLAP, while also discussing their personal strategies for prioritizing well-being during the busy holidays. The conversation also emphasizes the need for legal professionals to take advantage of available resources and support each other to maintain mental health during this time of year. BarBuzz is a monthly show that recaps legal happenings from across Tennessee, upcoming events at the bar, attorney shout outs and more. It is available on the TBA’s website or wherever you listen to podcasts. Find past episodes at the BarBuzz archive.

The TBA has announced the selection of 35 attorneys from across the state for its 2025 Leadership Law (TBALL) program. Now in its 22nd year, Leadership Law is designed to equip Tennessee lawyers with the vision, knowledge and skills necessary to serve as leaders in their profession and local communities. The class will meet for its first session in January and spend the next six months learning about leadership in the legal profession, issues in the courts, policymaking in state government and the importance of community service. Read more about the new class members.

The Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (DCS) has announced a change to the Tennessee Child Abuse Hotline. During designated weekend hours — Fridays at 11 p.m. CST through Sundays at 11 p.m. CST — the hotline will transition to an online-only reporting system for the public. The pilot program aims to increase the efficiency of the hotline and reduce long wait times for callers, according to a press release. Callers wishing to report child abuse or neglect during weekend hours will hear a recorded message prompting them to submit information through DCS’s secure online referral portal. The hotline will remain staffed during weekend hours, and online reports will continue to be reviewed in real-time. The change only affects the hotline’s public line. The dedicated line for law enforcement and medical personnel will remain available during weekend hours.

Miles Mason Family Law Group (MMFLG) in Memphis has moved to a new office on the fourth floor of the Crescent Center at 6075 Poplar Ave., Suite 403, Memphis, TN 38119. In a press release announcing the move, Miles Mason said, "We couldn’t be more thrilled to see MMFLG settling into their brand-new space! Transforming a previously all-white, contemporary office into a warm and welcoming environment, we added calming blue accents and homey touches to create a cozy atmosphere." Mason says his daughter's firm, Anne Mason Design, helped create the new environment with residential elements throughout the office so clients would feel safe and at ease.

Tennessee State University (TSU) appointed a new interim president shortly after its previous interim president resigned last week citing disagreements with the board over how to prevent the university from running out of money. The Tennessean reports that the board named one of its own members to the post. Dwayne Tucker, CEO of the charter school network LEAD Public Schools and a TSU alumnus, will serve as interim president. "We don't want to start 2025 off by litigating the past," Tucker said at a board meeting last week. Tucker's term as interim president will end June 30. The board plans to relaunch its search for a permanent president in January, with the goal of appointing someone to start in July, the paper reports. Since Tucker had to resigned his seat on the board, Gov. Bill Lee will be tasked with appointing a replacement, according to the paper.

A man wrongfully convicted in the early 2000s for a robbery he says he did not commit has filed a lawsuit against the city of Memphis, the Memphis Police Department and the officers who worked his case in federal court. Arits Whitehead was convicted and sentenced to 249 years in prison after a police investigation stalled for more than eight months. A year ago, he was released from prison after nearly two decades behind bars when a judge found evidence that Whitehead was wrongfully convicted. According to the Commercial Appeal, Whitehead claims he was inadequately represented and that the police knowingly relied on a shaky informant — later concealed behind a CrimeStoppers tip — to arrest him. The lawsuit does not request a specific amount in damages, instead seeking compensatory damages, attorneys' fees, court costs and punitive damages.