Attorney and Dr. Robert Thomas Armour died April 14 at age 70 in Barbourville, Kentucky. Armour earned his law degree from Southern Methodist University and practiced law for several years before transitioning to a career in education. He began his teaching career in Memphis and later joined the faculty at Union College, where he taught until his retirement in 2020. During his there, he chaired the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences for over a decade, "guiding both students and faculty with wisdom and compassion," according to his obituary. Armour relocated to Kentucky after retirement but remained a member of the Tennessee Bar Association. A private gathering of family and friends will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Knox Funeral Home.

The Tennessee Bar Foundation has launched a new IOLTA Capital Improvement and Technology Enhancement (CITE) Grant, a one-time grant to help legal aid and civil legal services providers strengthen operational capacity and technology. Funding can be requested for capital improvements, projects that enhance efficiency and improving client service with technology, or projects that drive innovation through technology. Applications should be submitted by 11:59 p.m. CDT on April 23. Read more in a press release from the foundation or access detailed guidelines — including eligibility requirements, application standards and evaluation criteria — and frequently asked questions on the foundation’s website.

West Tennessee Legal Services (WTLS) is partnering with the Tennessee Governor’s Faith-Based and Community Initiative and the Tennessee Supreme Court Access to Justice Commission to host a free expungement clinic on April 25 in Jackson in celebration of Second Chance Month and Help4TN Month, WBBJ News reports. The clinic will allow qualifying individuals to have their criminal records erased. It is open only to those with charges in Madison County General Sessions or Circuit courts. Pre-registration is required. Call (731) 423-0616 or visit wtls.org to complete an online application.

A three-judge panel of the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that a lower court erred in sealing dozens of deposition transcripts related to a lawsuit against CoreCivic, the private company that operates several prisons in Tennessee. The Nashville Banner had challenged the 2021 decision to seal the documents after the company entered into a $56 million settlement over a class-action lawsuit alleging it misrepresented the condition of its prisons. Thursday’s ruling found “no findings whatsoever” to justify sealing the transcripts. “Part of our job as journalists is to fight for open courts so the public can make their own decisions about what happens in them,” said Steve Cavendish, editor of the Banner. The appellate court gave the district court 60 days to review the transcripts and decide if any should remain sealed.

The ABA Center for Professional Responsibility has circulated for comment a memorandum and discussion draft of possible amendments to ABA Model Rule of Professional Conduct 1.14: Client with Diminished Capacity. The memorandum explains the reason for the amendments, while the discussion draft sets forth possible amendments to address that need. Comments about the possible amendments should be sent to modelruleamend@americanbar.org by May 12,. Comments also may be posted on the ABA’s website. Please contact Mary McDermott or Ellyn Rosen with any questions.

Gov. Bill Lee on Thursday announced the appointment of Ryan Hubbard as the state’s first chief immigration enforcement officer, effective immediately. The Chattanoogan reports that the appointment follows passage of Lee’s immigration agenda during the 2025 special legislative session, which supported the Trump administration’s border security and public safety efforts. Hubbard, a veteran federal agent with 28 years of experience in immigration enforcement, joined Homeland Security Investigations in 2003 after the creation of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. He also served in both Memphis and Nashville and later joined the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force in Nashville. “Ryan Hubbard is a dedicated public servant with decades of experience in immigration enforcement, and I am confident he is the right person to oversee this new division,” Lee said.

The Tennessee General Assembly on Thursday passed a bill that would ban THCa, a key component in most legal cannabis products sold in the state. Sen. Richard Briggs, R-Knoxville, who sponsored the legislation, said the measure supports local hemp growers. The Tennessee Growers Association has protested the bill, warning that a THCa ban could threaten a multi-million-dollar industry in the state. The bill also restricts the sale of hemp products to retailers with liquor or vape licenses and transfers regulation of hemp from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture to the Alcoholic Beverage Commission. The bill now heads to the governor’s desk for his consideration, WPLN reports.

The TBA again this year is honoring the work of Tennessee journalists through the Fourth Estate Award, which honors courageous reporting on justice and the law. Don't miss the opportunity to nominate a journalist or group of journalists! Nominations are due by April 30. The TBA strongly supports freedom of expression under the First Amendment, as exercised by lawyers on behalf of their clients and by journalists on behalf of the public, and particularly wants to recognize and encourage journalists who promote public understanding of the rule of law and our system of justice through vigorous exercise of their First Amendment rights. Attorneys who have relationships with reporters or observed a particularly compelling piece of journalism in 2024 are encouraged to submit a nomination. Read about past recipients here and read the TBA's full press release.

Renew your TBA membership online today to avoid receiving a print membership dues statement. Attorneys not participating in the TBA's firm billing program can log in and renew through their MyTBA dashboard. Questions about member benefits? Reach out to membership@tnbar.org.

The TBA will host its 29th Annual Labor and Employment Law Forum on May 2 at the Bradley L. Barrett Training Center in Nashville from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. CDT. The forum will provide insights into current labor and employment law topics. More information about topics and speakers now is available on the TBA website.