A new survey of 390 pre-law students polled in September by test prep company Kaplan show 58% said it was important to go to a school where students hold the same political and social views as they do, reports Reuters. In 2020, only 46% of students told Kaplan that political and social views were important. The survey was conducted before escalating tensions on college campuses between Palestinian and Israeli supporters. The American Bar Association is preparing a requirement for law schools to develop and publish free speech policies.

Newspaper publisher Gannett has asked a federal judge in Virginia to dismiss a proposed class action that accuses it of discriminating against white employees in an effort to diversify its newsrooms, Reuters reports. The five named plaintiffs in the suit say they were fired or passed over for promotions to make room for less-qualified women or minorities. The suit comes amid a growing backlash to corporate diversity policies following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in June that struck down race-conscious college admissions policies. Gannett says the plaintiffs failed to identify a discriminatory company-wide policy and cannot sue as a class because their claims involve isolated decisions by individual managers.

Gov. Bill Lee has appointed Quantel Lindsey of Cleveland — a man he pardoned for a previous life of drugs, violence and jail time — as the East Tennessee member of a newly created Inmate Disciplinary Oversight Board. “This is a full-time job to be on this board and I look forward to serving the state of Tennessee,” Lindsey tells the Knoxville News Sentinel. The board, which is still being created, will grant or deny sentencing credits for good behavior and determine whether previously awarded credits should be removed for certain infractions.

Sean Williams, a prison escapee indicted in connection with multiple counts of state and federal child sex charges as well as rape charges, has been captured in Florida after a month-long manhunt, KnoxNews reports. Williams had escaped from a transport van while being moved from Kentucky to the U.S. District Court in Greeneville. His alleged crimes and arrest have become the subject of several lawsuits in Johnson City, where he lived and worked.

The Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments is now accepting applications for the Tennessee Supreme Court vacancy that will be created by the retirement of Justice Roger A. Page effective Aug. 31, 2024. Interested applicants must be licensed attorneys who are at least 35 years of age, have been a resident of the state for five years and are currently a resident of Tennessee’s Eastern or Western Grand Division. Applicants must complete the designated application and submit it to the Administrative Office of the Courts by noon CST on Dec. 11. Get full application instructions on the court's website. The council will meet on Jan. 4-5 to hold a public hearing and interviews for the vacancy. Additional details about that meeting will be released soon. Questions about the process should be directed to Assistant General Counsel John Jefferson.

Daryl Hall, one half of the iconic music duo Hall & Oates, has sued and obtained a restraining order against John Oates. Though much of the suit and the order remain under seal, the AP reports that Hall is trying to stop Oates from selling his share in the joint venture Whole Oats Enterprises LLP to a management company. Hall argues the sale would violate a business agreement the two had forged. The suit was filed in Nashville on Nov. 15. Chancellor Russell Perkins issued a temporary restraining order the next day. The case is set for a court hearing on Thursday.

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has unveiled a proposal that would require lawyers to certify that they either did not rely on artificial intelligence (AI) programs to draft briefs or that humans reviewed the accuracy of any text generated by AI in their filings. The court’s proposed rule appears to be the first by any of the nation's 13 federal appeals courts aimed at regulating the use of generative AI tools by lawyers appearing before it, Reuters reports.

A special three-judge panel of state court judges has found Tennessee state Senate district boundaries are unconstitutional, the Tennessean reports, giving the General Assembly until Jan. 31 to redraw the lines. Three voters, backed by the state Democratic party, sued Tennessee in 2022 over allegations that legislative Republicans unconstitutionally drew House and Senate maps to further entrench the GOP supermajority in the legislature.  The judicial panel sided with the state on the House map, with two of the three judges ruling it met constitutional requirements. Read the decision.

Newly appointed Circuit Court Judge Erin Nations talks about her family’s commitment to public service in an interview with the Williamson County Herald. Gov. Bill Lee recently appointed her to the 21st District Division III Circuit Court to fill the seat left vacant by the retirement of Judge Michael Binkley, who retired in September. Nations will face election for the remainder of Binkley’s term in next August’s county general election. See more photos.

Tennessee's first judicial district celebrated National Adoption Day last week with ceremonies that included the adoption of 12 children, the Administrative Office of the Courts reports. “National Adoption Day holds a special place in my heart,” Chancellor John C. Rambo said. “There are few things that take place in the courtroom more rewarding than placing a child in a loving home. It’s a wonderful start to the Thanksgiving holiday week and something I look forward to every year.” This was the 10th annual celebration organized by Rambo since he took the bench in 2013. First Judicial District Circuit Court Judge Suzanne Cook also took part in the celebration.