Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands has launched a new disaster preparedness website to help residents better prepare for disasters. Executive Director DarKenya W. Waller tells the Smith County Insider that the site is designed to help speed up the process of recovery by educating people how to prepare and safely store essential paperwork — such as advance care plans, powers of attorney, titles, deeds of property, citizenship verification, contracts and agreements — before disaster strikes. The site also includes advice on developing a disaster plan and a checklist of emergency supplies to have on hand. 

The Shelby County Office of Re-Entry is an innovative community agency dedicated to providing education, support and advocacy for justice involved individuals. Director DeAndre Brown tells the Commercial Appeal that the agency's focus on citizenship restoration, including voting rights, is a key element of reentry post-incarceration and is a way to "make a person whole again." Five individuals have successfully completed the restoration of citizenship application process and have filed their petitions with the county circuit court clerk. The filing fees were paid by Just City, a Memphis-based criminal justice reform group.

Shelby County Probate Court Division 1 Judge Kathleen Gomes today ruled to end the conservatorship over retired NFL player Michael Oher and allowed Oher's case against conservators Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy to continue. Oher filed a petition in Shelby County Probate Court on Aug. 14 asking to terminate the conservatorship, which he claimed the family duped him into entering. The Daily Memphian reports that in addition to ending the conservatorship, Oher is seeking a full accounting of funds he believes the Tuohys made during the conservatorship, including money for “The Blind Side” movie, which he says he never received. He also has requested an unspecified amount.

The Texas State History Museum Foundation (TSHMF) will honor Dean of Belmont College of Law and former U.S. Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales as a 2024 History-Making Texan at the 20th annual Texas Independence Day Dinner in February. The award recognizes living Texas legends whose contributions to the state and the nation have been truly historic and exceptional in scope. Gonzales notes, “I am incredibly honored to be receiving such an award from my home state, and it is especially humbling to be joining the esteemed company of past honorees of the Texas State History Museum Foundation. I am grateful for those involved in my selection and for the many mentors, friends and family members who have supported me throughout my life.”

Clarksville is celebrating the opening of a new mental health court as part of a statewide effort to expand access to such courts, WKRN reports. Mental health courts are designed to reduce correctional costs, enhance community safety and improve public welfare. Participants are identified through a screening and assessment process, and they voluntarily agree to engage in community-based treatment. Tennessee has seen a significant increase in the number of mental health courts, with 17 now in operation due to increased funding and support from the state. These courts are seen as a way to reduce incarceration rates, improve public safety, and help individuals lead better lives.

There is increasing discussion among elected officials in outlying Shelby County cities about the possibility of forming a new county, though it remains a complex and challenging endeavor. The Daily Memphian reports that the idea has resurfaced in connection with topics like utility districts and concerns about crime rates and the governance of Shelby County. While some officials believe it's worth exploring the concept of a new county, others caution against raising unrealistic expectations and emphasize the difficulties involved in meeting constitutional requirements for creating a new county, including size and voter approval thresholds.

The Sixth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals yesterday allowed a state law that bans gender-affirming care for transgender youth — including treatments like puberty blockers and hormone therapy — to remain in effect while a legal challenge continues. WPLN reports that the court cited the recent Dobbs v. Jackson ruling, which ended the federal right to abortion, arguing that the law does not discriminate on the basis of sex. The decision reversed a lower court ruling, which had imposed a temporary partial injunction. The ACLU of Tennessee and Lambda Legal, which challenged the law, said in a statement that “Denying transgender youth equality before the law and needlessly withholding the necessary medical care their families and their doctors know is right for them has caused and will continue to cause serious harm.” Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti praised the ruling. Read his statement here.

Attorneys from Nashville’s Sister City of Caen, France, visited the state capital today. Members of the Bar of Caen went to the Tennessee Supreme Court with several local attorneys, including past TBA presidents Sherie Edwards and Gail Vaughn Ashworth. The group heard from Justice Roger Page and Court of Appeals Judge Andy Bennett. They also toured the court and museum. See photos from the event.

The Nashville School of Law will host a reception to welcome the newest member of the Tennessee Supreme Court, Justice Dwight E. Tarwater on Oct. 5 from 4:30-6 p.m. CDT at 4013 Armory Oaks Dr., Nashville 37204. The event is sponsored by the Tennessee Bar Association, the Lawyers' Association for Women, the Nashville Bar Association and Nashville School of Law. Refreshments and hors d’oeuvres will be served. RSVP at this link.

Don't forget, nominations are due Monday for the 21st annual TBA Leadership Law (TBALL) program for 2024. Nominees should have from five to 15 years of experience in practice. Last year, 33 lawyers from across the state were accepted into the program. TBALL programming will kick off in January 2024 with an opening retreat at Henry Horton State Park and end in June with class commencement during the TBA Annual Convention in Memphis. Read more about the program or contact program coordinator Paul Burch for more information.