President Donald Trump on Monday formally nominated acting Attorney General (AG) Todd Blanche to serve permanently as attorney general, according to The Hill. Blanche, who previously served as deputy attorney general and as Trump's personal attorney, has led the Department of Justice for the past two months following the dismissal of former AG Pam Bondi. His nomination now goes to the U.S. Senate for confirmation, where he is expected to need near-unanimous Republican support. Blanche was previously confirmed as deputy attorney general in a 52-46 Senate vote.

The Nashville School of Law awarded law degrees to 66 graduates during its 118th commencement ceremony on May 23 at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel. Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Mary Wagner delivered the commencement address, encouraging graduates to respect the law, embrace service and define success on their own terms. During the ceremony, seven graduates were inducted into the Cooper’s Inn Honor Society for graduating in the top 10% of their class, and Taylor Jordan received the Founder’s Award for achieving the highest grade-point average. Dean William C. Koch Jr. and leaders also recognized graduates for pro bono service and celebrated the Class of 2026’s academic achievements and contributions to the legal community. Read more in a press release and see photos from commencement.

A settlement was reached in a lawsuit against the Knox County Sheriff’s Office saying deputies arrested the wrong man with the same name. According to Knox News, Justin Clark was arrested March 17 and stayed jailed for three days without anyone checking to see if deputies had the right man, according to his lawsuit. He sought $100,000 in compensatory damages and settled for $10,000, according to records from the Knox County Law Department. Clark’s lawsuit was originally filed in Knox County Circuit Court but was moved to U.S. District Court in early April. He sued the sheriff’s office and several unnamed deputies for false arrest and false imprisonment and violations of his constitutionally guaranteed Fourth and 14th Amendment rights.

Diversity Lab, a legal industry organization focused on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, is shutting down after facing funding pressures tied to scrutiny from the Trump administration, according to Bloomberg Law. The closure comes nearly four months after the group paused a core DEI program and furloughed most staff, citing depleted operating funds as it responded to federal actions. Diversity Lab, founded in 2013, is best known for the Mansfield Rule, which encouraged law firms to consider at least 30% of qualified underrepresented attorneys for hiring and promotion opportunities. The Trump administration has targeted DEI initiatives broadly, including the Mansfield Rule, arguing such programs may unlawfully consider race or sex in hiring decisions. Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew Ferguson has also warned law firms about participation in the program, while critics of DEI efforts have argued they are inconsistent with federal anti-discrimination laws.

Deadlines for winter storm financial assistance are approaching. According to the Nashville Banner newsletter, residents have until Wednesday to apply both for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and U.S. Small Business Administration disaster assistance related to the January ice storm in Nashville. The local in-person disaster recovery center closed over the weekend, but individuals can still visit www.disasterassistance.gov to apply for funding for home repairs, temporary housing expenses and other costs associated with the storm. Find more information, including about assistance for business owners, click here.

The TBA will host its 2026 Elder Law Forum on July 17 at the Nashville School of Law, offering attorneys a full day of continuing legal education focused on issues affecting older adults and vulnerable populations. The program will feature sessions on conservatorships, fraud prevention, guardians ad litem, special needs trusts, ethics and related topics, with presentations from practitioners and professionals across the state. For more information, visit the TBA website.

Volunteers are needed for a Second Chance Clinic in Memphis on June 27 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. CDT at Friends For All located at 1548 Polar Ave., Memphis 38104. The TBA Young Lawyers Division will be working alongside the Memphis Bar Association's Access to Justice Committee and other organizations to provide free legal advice and information for expungement and restoration of rights. Contact TBA Young Lawyers District Representative Constance Brown for more information and to volunteer. Download a flyer for the event

The Tennessee Supreme Court reinstated Kentucky lawyer Natalie Talmage Stuart to the practice of law in Tennessee on May 28. Stuart had been placed on inactive status more than five years ago, on May 22, 2015. She filed a petition for reinstatement, which the court found satisfactory. The court issued the order on May 2.

The Tennessee Supreme Court on June 4 conditioned reinstatement of Maine attorney John Christian Wright’s law license on completion of required continuing legal education (CLE) hours and payment of the professional privilege tax. Wright filed a petition for reinstatement on May 20. The court directed Wright to satisfy outstanding requirements by July 20 or face dismissal of the petition.

The Tennessee Supreme Court on June 5 conditioned reinstatement of Arizona attorney Katrina Jewett's law license on completion of outstanding continuing legal education (CLE) hours. Wright filed a petition for reinstatement on May 26. The court directed Wright to satisfy these requirements by July 20 or face dismissal of the petition.