A proposal that passed the Tennessee Senate on Monday could add specific language to the state’s law that effectively bans abortion, Local Memphis reports. Sen. Richard Briggs, R-Knoxville, proposed SB1004, which initially required the state to report annually on gifts, grants or donations made toward constructing a monument dedicated to terminated pregnancies. The bill was amended to revise the state’s Human Life Protection Act, which currently allows abortion care only if a physician determines the pregnancy poses a “serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function.” The amendment would define that phrase as “any medically diagnosed condition that so complicates the pregnancy of a woman as to directly or indirectly cause the substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function.” Critics have said the law forces physicians to make legal as well as medical judgments. Rep. Bryan Terry, R-Murfreesboro, who introduced the House bill, said it was introduced as a way to improve the state's law after the United States Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade decision. The proposal passed the Senate in a 25-3 vote and must now pass the House before becoming law.

Yoga, Mindfulness and Meditation for Legal Professionals will be held on April 18 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. CDT and offer attorneys evidence-based meditation and yoga techniques to reduce stress and improve professional performance. Designed specifically for legal professionals, the program will provide practical strategies to enhance focus, maintain composure in high-pressure situations, and cultivate a sustainable work-life balance. No prior experience in yoga or meditation is necessary. For more information and to register, visit TBA’s website.

In a news conference outside the federal courthouse in Nashville, members of the federal public defender’s office and advocates said they have asked Gov. Bill Lee to pause executions until March 2026 to allow courts time to review the state’s new protocol. “This protocol is a sham,” said Kelley Henry, a supervisory assistant federal public defender who represents a number of people on Tennessee’s death row. “It’s a mere shadow of the previous protocol. They haven’t put in more safeguards. They’ve made it worse.” The governor responded to criticisms saying he does not plan on calling for a reprieve for all executions, but he does review each case individually, the Tennessean reports. "It was a lengthy process in making sure we had the right protocol here," Lee said. Four people are set to be executed this year under a new, single drug protocol.

Bass, Berry & Sims has announced that former state official Ginna Winfree Burrell has joined the firm as counsel and will lead its alcoholic beverage law practice team. According to the firm, Burrell will focus on federal liquor license requirements, regulatory and enforcement matters, and administrative hearings related to alcoholic beverage ordinances and statutes. A 2006 graduate of the Nashville School of Law, Burrell previously served as the assistant director and interim director of the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC). She also worked at Gullett Sanford Robinson & Martin and as a regional vice chair for the National Conference of State Liquor Administrators. Read more from the firm.

A bill that would allow school districts to charge tuition from noncitizen students narrowly passed the Senate today, reports the Tennessee Journal. The measure passed by a 19-13 vote. A companion bill is moving through the committee process in the House. The House Education Committee approved a similar bill in March. The House Finance Subcommittee is scheduled to consider that measure on Monday.

The state Senate Government Operations Committee has passed HB910/SB861, a bill that would dissolve the Tennessee Human Rights Commission and transfer its functions to the state attorney general. Established in 1963, the commission is an independent state agency in charge of enforcing civil rights laws and prohibiting discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations. The commission employs investigators, attorneys and other personnel and is run by a nine-member board of commissioners appointed by the governor, lieutenant governor and speaker of the House. The bill now goes to the Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee, where it is scheduled to be considered next week. In the House, a companion bill passed the Ways and Means Subcommittee and is scheduled to be heard by the full Finance, Ways and Means Committee next week as well. The Nashville Post has more on the proposal.

Tennessee Attorney General (AG) Jonathan Skrmetti and a bipartisan coalition of 51 attorneys general issued follow-up letters to nine voice service providers indicating it appears they continue to be in violation of state and federal laws by routing allegedly unlawful robocalls across their networks. The letters provide information about the work of the Anti-Robocall Multistate Litigation Task Force and analyses of each provider’s illegal or suspicious robocall traffic. The letters also warn providers that if they fail to act to cease transmitting illegal call traffic, the states may pursue enforcement actions. A press release from the AG’s office notes that one such enforcement action already is being pursued against Avid Telecom.

Two large law firms have reached preemptive agreements with the Trump administration to avoid similar actions taken against other firms this spring. The terms of the deals were described in social media posts from the president. Bloomberg Law reports that Milbank will spend $100 million on pro bono services, avoid what the president characterized as “illegal DEI discrimination,” represent clients regardless of political views and include partners with diverse political ideologies on its pro bono committee. Willkie Farr & Gallagher agreed to spend $100 million in pro bono work and affirm its commitment to “merit-based hiring, promotion and retention” and not engage “in illegal DEI discrimination and preferences,” the president said. The Associated Press has more on that agreement. Earlier this spring, the administration began issuing executive orders targeting law firms, beginning with Covington & Burling. One targeting Paul Weiss was revoked after that firm agreed to spend $40 million in pro bono services for mutually agreed projects, renounce partisanship in hiring and choosing clients, and use merit-based employment practices. Three others, Jenner & Block, Perkins Coie and Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr, have sued and won temporary restraining orders pausing parts of those orders. The ABA Journal has more on those cases.

The Petitioner, Vana Mustafa, appeals from the post-conviction court’s summary dismissal of his amended petition for post-conviction relief. He contends that, although his claim of ineffective assistance of trial counsel was litigated in his motion for new trial and on direct appeal, he is nonetheless entitled to post-conviction relief based on new grounds of trial counsel’s alleged ineffectiveness. In addition, he argues that appellate counsel was ineffective for failing to include these new grounds on direct appeal. After review, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.