A panel of judges on the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals recently rejected an Ohio lawyer’s bid to revive his disability discrimination claim. Bloomberg Law reports that Daniel Lonergan was seeking to sue his previous law firm employer alleging that he was fired after the firm rejected accommodation requests for his attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The judicial panel found that Lonergan failed to establish that he met the initial criteria for claiming bias under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The panel decision upheld a lower court’s dismissal of the case. Lonergan represented himself in the litigation. Read the court’s opinion, which was not recommended for publication.

The U.S. House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday advanced a proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution to limit the number of justices on the U.S. Supreme Court. Often called the "Keep Nine" amendment, the measure would permanently cap the number of justices on the court at nine. According to Reuters, lawmakers said the move was necessary to block Democratic members from “packing” the court if they regain control of Congress. The committee voted 15-8 along party lines to move the measure forward. To take effect, the amendment would need a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate and 38 states would need to vote to ratify it.

The U.S. Justice Department has announced the Model Cities Initiative (MCI), a whole-of-city approach directing nearly $300 million in federal funding to transform public safety in America’s cities. Through this initiative, two to four cities will be selected to receive awards supporting the implementation of comprehensive and innovative strategies to reduce crime, restore law and order and enhance public safety. Proposals from qualifying cities are due Sept. 1 and should be emailed to MCIapplications@usdoj.gov. Additional information about the award is available at www.justice.gov/grants.

The Nashville Banner writes in a recent piece that files unsealed in the case of former Davidson County Criminal Court Judge Cheryl Blackburn show concerns about her final days on the bench. According to the paper, the documents reveal that local attorneys grew increasingly concerned about Blackburn’s ability, at times, to comprehend the most basic legal concepts and to render the most rudimentary decisions in the years after a 2021 stroke. Attorneys who sought to disqualify Blackburn from a 2024 rape trial acknowledged her stature in the legal community and the likely impact of their request. Ultimately, though, they felt that “the gravity of that concern has been weighed and measured against the gravity of the rights of the accused.” The Banner sued to access many of these filings. The Tennessee Supreme Court recently found the records had been improperly sealed. Davidson County Criminal Court Judge Angelita Blackshear Dalton officially unsealed the filings this week.

The ABA Judicial Division will present “Order in the Court: Civility in Action” — a 90-minute webinar on June 12. The program will be the first from the new ABA Center for Civic Engagement, Education and Rule of Law. The session, free for ABA members and offered to others for a nominal cost, will begin at 3 p.m. EDT. “Disagreeing Better” is a nonpartisan initiative designed to model and promote how lawyers, judges and legal professionals can engage in civil, informed and constructive dialogue while disagreeing on important issues. The program will feature real-world examples and a candid discussion on how everyday interactions can strengthen institutional trust. Read more about the program or register here.

The Petitioner, Jacquet Moore, appeals from the denial of his petition for post-conviction relief from his underlying conviction for aggravated rape. On appeal, the Petitioner maintains that he received ineffective assistance of counsel based on trial counsel’s failure to (1) perform adequate investigation in preparation for trial, including seeking funds for investigative services, and (2) effectively impeach the victim on cross-examination. As a preliminary matter, we remanded the case to the post-conviction court for the entry of an amended order to include sufficient findings of fact and conclusions of law on these two issues. After our review of the amended order, as well as the issues presented by the parties and the record on appeal, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.

The Appellant, Howard Jefferson Atkins, acting pro se, appeals from the Tipton County Circuit Court’s summary denial of his Rule 36 motion to correct an alleged clerical error in a juvenile transfer order entered in 2000. Having thoroughly reviewed the record, the briefs of the parties, and applicable law, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

The 32nd Judicial District court recently held a portrait unveiling and reception for Judge Michael “Mike” E. Spitzer, who retired last year. Judge William K. Lane III, who replaced Spitzer, writes that Spitzer played a critical role in the establishment of the judicial district and was the first judge to be elected in the district, which serves Hickman, Lewis and Perry counties. The district was created to help with a growing caseload in the 21st Judicial District due to Williamson County's rapid growth. Spitzer previously sat as one of five judges in the 21st District. See a photo of Spitzer and his family at the ceremony.

A news item in yesterday's issue of TBA Today about Robertson County Attorney Clyde Richert misstated the length of his legal career and county service, and implied he was retiring from law practice. In an email to TBA, Richert says he has practiced law in Springfield for 49 years and has served as Robertson County attorney for 36 of those years. He is retiring from his role as county attorney effective July 1 but will continue his private law practice for now.

On June 3, the Tennessee Supreme Court transferred the law license of Florida attorney Harvey Randolph Fallin, to disability inactive status. Fallin may not practice law while on disability inactive status. He must comply with the requirements of Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Section 28, regarding the obligations and responsibilities of attorneys transferred to disability inactive status.