TBA's Immigration and Health Law sections will present Health Care Immigration Compliance in the Era of Trump 2.0 on April 9 at noon CDT. Speakers Todd Photopulos and Elizabeth Warren will discuss how health care providers should respond if ICE raids their facility, exploring the shifting policy landscape that meets at the intersection of immigration compliance and health law. You won't want to miss this timely webcast!

The Tennessee General Assembly is projected to adjourn for the year in mid- to late April, given that most legislative committees have already closed or are set to close within the week. The House and Senate Finance Ways and Means committees are meeting this week and next week to determine whether legislation that has been voted out of other committees with a fiscal note will be funded. Because the governor included $17 million for a new indigent representation plan in his budget amendment, the committees do not have to vote on whether to add that funding. However, at the end of session, the House and Senate leadership will meet and determine exactly which measures will be included in the final budget and how much the funding will be. The budget is the one piece of legislation that lawmakers constitutionally are required to pass before adjournment. Once the budget is approved, lawmakers will consider matters “behind the budget” that received funding, as well as other priority items. It is anticipated the session will adjourn a few days after that.

Rocky McElhaney Law Firm has opened an office on Music Row at 1102 17th Ave. S., Nashville 37212. The opening of the office marks a return to Music Row for the Hendersonville-based firm after it ceased operations in 2017 on 16th Ave. S. after McElhaney’s Rock-N-Row Express LLC sold the building on that site for $3 million to First Citizens Bank and relocated its main office to Hendersonville. The firm specializes in legal work involving personal injury and wrongful death often related to vehicular incidences, and will continue to operate offices in Hendersonville, Murfreesboro and Clarksville. Read more from the Nashville Post.

Following recent severe weather across the state, the Tennessee Attorney General’s Division of Consumer Affairs offers tips for those impacted by the storms, including addressing financial obligations, filing insurance claims, hiring contractors, tips for flooded vehicles, avoiding scams and how to report misconduct around price gouging. Read more in a press release.

The deadline for submitting nominations for the 2025 Judge Pamela L. Reeves Tennessee Professionalism Award has been extended to April 14. This year's award, presented by the TBA and Tennessee’s American Inns of Court, will honor a lawyer or judge residing in the Middle Grand Division whose life and practice display sterling character and unquestioned integrity, coupled with ongoing dedication to the highest standards of the rule of law and the highest standards of the legal profession in Tennessee. Nominees must be alive when nominations are submitted but they need not be an active member of an American Inn of Court or the TBA. The award will be presented at the TBA's Annual Convention, which will be held in Franklin June 11-14. Read about past award recipients.

Vanderbilt University Law School has moved up five spots from 19 to 14 in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings released Tuesday. New rankings for other Tennessee law schools include the University of Tennessee College of Law at 55 (down from 52 from last year), Belmont University College of Law at 84 (up from 91 last year), University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law at 146 (down from 140 last year), and Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law at 169 (down from 165 last year). According to Reuters, the U.S. News rankings have traditionally been viewed as the single-most influential measure of the law schools among prospective students, but that may be on the decline. In a new survey of law school admissions officers by test prep company Kaplan, 62% said they believe the rankings “have lost some of their prestige over the last couple of years.” View the full list of rankings.

Tennessee Sports Wagering Council (SWC) has announced new rules and regulations that will take effect June 30. The rules revisions strengthen player protections and build on ongoing efforts to eliminate fraudulent activity on wagering platforms. The rules also add multi-factor identification requirements for different account activities, define more responsible gaming terms, and put new conditions on the processes for voiding or canceling wagers, among other changes. “Making these rule changes is a staff-wide effort working with the industry and consumers to solicit feedback and constantly reevaluate what’s working and what could be improved, and we appreciate everyone who participated in this public process,” SWC Chair Billy Orgel said. Read more in a press release. The revisions have been approved by the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office and are posted on the SWC’s website and with the Secretary of State’s Office.

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.

After a prosecutor acknowledged that a Maryland man was wrongly deported to El Salvador due to an "administrative error," the Trump administration was ordered to return him to the United States. On Friday, U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis directed the administration return Kilmar Abrego Garcia in response to a lawsuit filed by the man and his family. Today, U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts temporarily paused the compliance deadline, which was to take effect at midnight tonight, The Hill reports. Roberts agreed to hold the deadline until the high court can resolve the administration’s emergency request to lift the lower court order. The administration argues that Garcia has ties to the MS-13 gang. A judge previously ruled he should not be deported to El Salvador due to concerns he would face harm there. His family says he does not have gang connections.

The TBA Young Lawyers Division clothing store is now open! Members can purchase mens or ladies polos and Champion t-shirts or crew neck sweatshirts in either royal blue or white. The clothing comes with the TBA Young Lawyers Division logo in the pocket square area. Orders placed before May 1 can be picked up at the TBA Convention in Franklin, June 11-14. Members also have the option to have the items shipped. Click here for more information and to order. See sample photos of the clothing options.