University of Tennessee (UT) Mock Trial is hosting its annual Mocky Top Invitational tournament Oct. 4-5. The organization will welcome 20 teams from across the country and is in need of volunteer judges. There will be two trial rounds on Saturday and two on Sunday, but volunteers can sign up for as many or as few spots as they would like. Organizers say they have a shortage of judges because the event falls during Knox County Schools' fall break. Any attorney, law student or mock trial alum is eligible to judge. Sign up to volunteer here.

TBA Young Lawyers Division wrapped up its September law school visits with the students at the Nashville School of Law (NSL). YLD leaders  continued the conversation about the advantages of getting involved with the TBA while still in law school and the many benefits of the free law student membership. YLD Board member and DLI Co-Chair Morgan Hanna was on hand to encourage the students to volunteer at pro bono clinics, attend CLE programs and apply for DLI and the Rural Judicial Fellowship programs. The YLD will complete this year's law school visits at the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law in October. See photos from the event.

An upcoming item in yesterday's issue of TBA Today included a broken link to register for the Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law's (LMU Law) AI event on Oct. 7. The correct link to register is here. For questions about the event, contact Associate Director of the Law Library and Assistant Professor of Law Bianca White at bianca.white@lmunet.edu.

The Tennessee Supreme Court on Sept. 24 suspended 15 attorneys for failure to pay the annual registration fee, five of whom also failed to file proof that client funds are held in an IOLTA-compliant account. View the fee suspension order and IOLTA suspension order. Ten lawyers suspended for fee and/or IOLTA violations this year have been reinstated to either active or inactive status. Two lawyers suspended in 2024 for fee and/or IOLTA violations also have been reinstated. Access all administrative suspensions dating back to 2005.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order today that approves a deal to keep TikTok available in the United States after months of uncertainty about the future of the social media platform. Under the deal, TikTok will be spun off into a separate U.S. entity to comply with a 2024 law requiring the app’s China-based parent company ByteDance to divest or face a U.S. ban. The deal comes nine months after the law was originally set to go into effect and after several delays of the ban by the president. Administration officials revealed last week that the U.S. had a framework for a deal following trade talks with China. The Hill has more on the latest development.

The Tennessee Supreme Court announced that it would hear appeals in two cases affecting Nashville government. First, the court will consider the size of the Metro Nashville Council. The Tennessee Court of Appeals in June reversed a lower court ruling that a law cutting the size of the council in half was unconstitutional. Second, the court will consider who controls the Nashville airport. In April, the Court of Appeals ruled unanimously that the legislature’s attempt to take over the airport authority was unconstitutional. The Nashville Business Journal has more on both the council size and airport board stories.

Phishing scams are a common challenge faced by many organizations, and the Tennessee Bar Association (TBA) is providing members with resources to stay aware and protected. The TBA is continuously monitoring for fraudulent emails, also known as phishing attempts, in which malefactors have impersonated TBA officers and staff members through deceptive messages designed to steal personal information and financial data or to gain unauthorized access to professional accounts. We recently have added a “phishing scams” webpage to the TBA website to provide helpful tips on how to identify and address suspicious emails.

Tennessee state Rep. Jerome Moon, R-Maryville, has announced his intention to run for mayor of Blount County, according to The Daily Times. Moon is a former publisher of the paper and Blount County commissioner. He has served as state representative for the last eight years. “I am honored to be running for county mayor to serve the place I have always called home,” Moon said. “My entire career has focused on helping folks in need. ...” Current Mayor Ed Mitchell announced his intent to not seek a fifth term. Moon joins two others who have filed paperwork to run.

The next free advice clinic for Black-owned small businesses and nonprofits is set for Sept. 18 in Nashville. The clinic, sponsored by the Arts & Business Council's Volunteer Lawyers & Professionals for the Arts and Bradley, provides assistance with business formation and corporate governance, review of contracts, and guidance in navigating local ordinances and state regulations. Prospective clients should register by Oct. 13. Attorneys should email vlpa@abcnashville.org to volunteer.

Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law (LMU Law) is hosting an AI event on Oct. 7. “Hype or Helpful: AI and The New Dangers and Opportunities It Can Create” will explore AI’s impact across the IT, legal and compliance fields. The morning session will focus on IT compliance and security issues, while the afternoon session will focus on the practical and ethical issues of using AI in the practice of law. Lunch will be provided. Those interested should register online for the sessions they plan to attend. A suggested contribution of $10 will benefit the law school’s Public Interest Fellowship. For questions, contact Associate Director of the Law Library and Assistant Professor of Law Bianca White at bianca.white@lmunet.edu.