The U.S. legal services sector added 4,500 jobs in December and is projected to break its record high employment level, Reuters reports. Legal sector jobs totaled 1,190,500 last month, according to preliminary seasonally adjusted data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The count includes a range of legal workers, including paralegals and assistants, but the majority are lawyers.

The American Bar Association (ABA) reports that as of the end of 2023 it has received overwhelming support for its proposal to fully accredit online law schools. Nearly 30 comments — 42 pages — have been uploaded to the ABA's website in favor of the proposal, with only two of those being comments against. Most comments came from Purdue Global Law School (formerly Concord Law School at Purdue University Global) students, Law.com reports. Public comment on the proposal ends Jan. 8.

Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands (LAS) recently announced that according to a newly released independent study, its Eviction Right to Counsel pilot program saved Davidson County residents more than $3.4 million over its first year. The two-year pilot program is aimed at providing outreach, education and legal aid to qualifying low-income renters. The program is a partnership between LAS and Conexión Américas, with additional assistance provided by the Nashville Hispanic Bar Association; the Nashville Conflict Resolution Center; the People’s Alliance for Transportation, Housing and Employment; and the American Muslim Advisory Council. It is the first program of its kind in Middle Tennessee to take a comprehensive approach to eviction, providing legal counsel for tenants while educating both tenants and landlords about their rights and responsibilities.

The Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) Thursday announced that 10 officers would be reassigned following an investigation into a leak of the Covenant School shooter's writings. The Tennessean reports that those officers — who are not named by MNPD — will be reassigned next month from the specialized investigative unit to unnamed positions within the department. All 10 of the officers were questioned during an internal investigation of the leaks; seven were placed on administrative leave and four returned to duty Nov. 17. MNPD announced in December that it was unable to identify who leaked images of the shooter's writings to a radio host, who later shared them publicly.

Memphis Mayor Paul Young said today in his first press conference since taking office that he plans to enforce a slate of ordinances passed by the Memphis City Council in the wake of Tyre Nichols' death, the Commercial Appeal reports. A few days before stepping down from office, former mayor Jim Strickland said he did not enforce the ordinances because he believed them to be “illegal,” MLK50 reports. The ordinances included prohibitions on police making traffic stops for low-level violations or in an unmarked vehicles. After the press conference, Memphis Police Department Chief Cerelyn "C.J." Davis said the department had been enforcing the ordinances as internal policies.

A former state Supreme Court Chief justice and the first woman to lead the state's highest court will mediate the civil wrongful death suit filed by the widow of an inmate who died last year at the Shelby County Jail, reports the Daily Memphian. Janice M. Holder will oversee negotiations between lawyers for Nicole Freeman and Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner Jr., Chief Jailer Kirk Fields and the Shelby County government. Freeman is asking for $100 million for the death of her late husband, Gershun Freeman, who died Oct. 5, 2022, after an altercation with corrections officers.

The University of Tennessee College of Law recently held a "Celebration of Generosity" reception to honor alumni and friends who provide major philanthropic support for the college. Dean Lonnie Brown welcomed the honored attendees, and two current students and scholarship recipients, Ronald Young and Isabelle Thibault, shared how their educational journeys have been positively impacted by the generosity of donors. Read more about the event.

Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP announced it has completed its Nashville office relocation to ONE 22 ONE, 1221 Broadway, Ste. 2400, Nashville 37203. The firm now occupies the top four floors of the 24-story high-rise building. The firm signed a lease for the Gulch property in 2022. Bradley was founded in 1910 and is one of the largest law firms in Nashville with more than 160 attorneys. Read more about the new location,

The Tennessee General Assembly can legally shield its records of sexual harassment investigations from the public, a judge ruled this week in a lawsuit related to an investigation last spring that led to the resignation of then-Rep. Scotty Campbell. According to the Tennessean, Brian Manookian sued the Office of Legislative Administration and its director, Connie Ridley, last May over unfulfilled public records requests regarding the legislature's response to harassment complaints and related expenditures. WKRN reports during the trial, evidence submitted to the court included two pages of notes regarding another complaint filed against state Rep. Jeremy Faison, R-Cosby, who is also chair of the Republican House Caucus. In his ruling this week, Chancellor Russell Perkins included a list of evidence submitted, including a file folder "with an alleged victim's first name ... pertaining to a complaint" against Faison. House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, released a statement following the ruling denying that any complaint exists against Faison.

The Tennessee Bar Foundation has awarded $2 million from the Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts (IOLTA) program to law-related organizations across the state. The 2024 grants represent the largest amount given in the 36-year history of the IOLTA program in Tennessee. Grants were awarded to 35 different projects, including seven that are new to the program this year. The projects provide an array of services, including individual legal representation, dispute mediation, assistance for survivors of domestic violence, immigration counseling and housing advocacy. Read more in a news release or see the full list of award recipients.