Women are continuing to break barriers in the legal profession each day, and law school enrollment is no different, Above the Law reports. There are now more women in law school than ever before and they outnumber men for the seventh year in a row. The latest data from Enjuris, an independent legal resource, also shows that 16 of the top 20 schools (as ranked by U.S. News) had more women enrolled than men in 2022. And the majority of law schools had more female attendees than male attendees last year.

An attorney from Kansas City is seeking to do away with Tennessee’s professional privilege tax according to the Tennessee Journal. Thomas West has filed suit in Sumner County challenging the $400 tax for lawyers, investment advisers and lobbyists. He argues in the suit that the annual fee is “arbitrary, capricious and wholly unreasonable.” In 2021, Sumner County was designated as the court of origin for civil cases in which the plaintiff lives out of state. The case will be heard by a three-judge panel. In recent years, the state has eliminated the tax for other professions. The TBA is continuing its lobbying efforts to have the tax eliminated for Tennessee-licensed lawyers.

At a news conference Friday, the family of Tyre Nichols joined the family of Gershun Freeman in calling for justice for Freeman, who died after a “physical altercation” with officers at the Shelby County Correctional Facility. Shortly before the news conference, the families and attorneys, including noted civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump, met with Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy, who has recused himself from the case. The investigation is being handled by Nashville District Attorney Glenn Funk. His office released video earlier this month showing Freeman being punched, kicked and pepper sprayed after running out of his cell. Eventually, officers can be seen kneeling on his upper back, the Commercial Appeal reports.

Recent episodes of Legal Services Corporation’s "Talk Justice" podcast have featured conversations with tech experts, attorneys and directors of innovative legal solutions — all focused on expanding access to justice through technology. Topics include using remote partnerships to develop a court forms database, utilizing a virtual assembly line to accelerate access to justice projects, an overview of the LSC’s Innovations in Technology Conference, and a new technology fellowship for judicial innovation. Check these and other episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and other popular podcast platforms.

Nashville-based Montgomery Bell Academy (MBA) was named the 2023 Tennessee State High School Mock Trial champion Saturday night after two days of preliminary trial rounds. It was the school's second back-to-back win and sixth win overall. The school prevailed over Signal Mountain High School of Hamilton County. Tennessee Court of Appeals Judge Jeffrey Usman presided over the round while members of the TBA YLD Executive Committee and TBA Board of Governors, including President Tasha Blakney, served as jurors. Earlier in the day, Farragut High School of Knoxville was awarded the 2023 Sportsmanship Award, the top 10 teams were announced, individual awards were presented to the best advocates and witnesses, and an MVP for each team was recognized. Special thanks to Mock Trial Committee Chair Judge Zack Walden, Vice Chair Ashley Tipton and members of the committee for organizing this year's event, which involved 14 teams, close to 200 participants and more than 100 volunteers, including sitting Tennessee judges, lawyers and law students. MBA will now represent Tennessee at the National High School Mock Trial Competition in Little Rock, Arkansas, in May. The team is coached by Nashville lawyers Wade Cowan and Tracy Hancock.

Memphis Police Department Lt. Dewayne Smith, a 25-year veteran, has been identified as the officer who retired before an administrative hearing into his involvement in the death of Tyre Nichols, reports the Daily Memphian. Smith served as a supervisor on the disbanded SCORPION unit that was responsible for the traffic stop of Nichols. The retirement before possible termination will allow Smith to retain his pension. Smith had been charged with neglect of duty, making unauthorized public statements and violating policy on the use of body cameras.

The Tennessean reports that just days before he was set to be sentenced in federal court, former Tennessee state Sen. Brian Kelsey has filed a motion to withdraw his guilty plea in what prosecutors describe as a campaign finance conspiracy to benefit a failed U.S. Congress bid. Kelsey pleaded guilty to two federal corruption charges in November, but the former lawmaker now says through court filings that personal stress compounded with a 48-hour deadline to accept a plea agreement led him to take the deal with an "unsure heart and confused mind." Kelsey is also seeking court permission to file a motion to dismiss the charges he previously pleaded guilty to "because he pleaded guilty to something that is not a crime," his legal team argues in court documents.

The Tennessee Lookout reports that the RAND Corporation has released a 600-page report on America’s response to the national opioid crisis. The report states that lawmakers should view the crisis through an “ecosystems” approach, meaning that they should examine the gaps and interconnections among emergency response, data collection, education, treatment, housing and law enforcement. The report encourages federal, state and local lawmakers to think “beyond traditional silos” and innovate ways to stem adverse effects of addiction and increasing drug overdose deaths among Americans.

Mayors of Shelby County, Nashville, Knoxville and Chattanooga are calling on the legislature to pass a bill (HB1233/SB1029) that would impose penalties on gun owners who leave firearms in cars irresponsibly. It also would require owners to report the theft — which has resulted in a decrease in illegal gun movement in other states that require it. The bill makes it a misdemeanor criminal penalty for failing to safely store a gun or for failing to report a stolen gun to law enforcement.

The American Bar Association (ABA) announced today that it has begun a nationwide search for a new executive director. The ABA executive director oversees a staff of more than 1,000 and a consolidated budget of approximately $220 million. The executive director is responsible for membership and non-dues revenues programs, directs implementation of the ABA’s strategic goals and has responsibility for programs and activities adopted by the ABA’s governing and policymaking bodies, the Board of Governors and the House of Delegates. The ABA Executive Director Search Committee is seeking candidates with at least 10 to 15 years of relevant executive leadership experience and a successful track record of effective organizational leadership for a large, complex organization. An advanced degree (J.D., MBA or other relevant degree) is preferred. The ABA is headquartered in Chicago, with another office in Washington, D.C., and significant operations in Texas and California.