A bill seeking to make deceased school shooters’ juvenile records public passed the state House with bipartisan support on Monday, following the deadly shooting at Antioch High School earlier this year. State law currently mandates that juvenile law enforcement and court records remain confidential. According to Knox News, the House amended SB992 — which originally required juvenile court records to be managed by one central system — to require the unsealing of court proceedings, mental health issues and interactions with the Department of Children’s Services if a minor commits a school shooting and dies. House Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland, said the amendment aims to better equip policymakers to prevent similar attacks. “Once this is public, everyone will know exactly what that history was, and we all can have a conversation on how to make sure that this never happens again,” he said. The bill now will have to go back to the Senate for reconsideration.

Join the TBA for a webcast on April 29 at noon CDT for a comprehensive update on Nashville’s economic landscape. Lori Odom, senior vice president of economic development with the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, will discuss the latest trends and opportunities in international business that are shaping the region's future. Be sure to bring questions for this engaging session focused on the pulse of Nashville’s economy. For more information and to register, visit TBA's website. 

A coalition running Nashville’s Eviction Right to Counsel program released a fiscal impact study Friday, showing that the pilot initiative helped residents avoid evictions and homelessness while reducing the financial burden on the city’s social safety net. According to the Nashville Banner, the report by financial firm Stout Risius Ross found that attorneys from Legal Aid of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands and the Nashville Hispanic Bar Association helped residents avoid eviction in 95% of cases, with a $2.2 million investment generating $5.7 million in direct financial benefits. The report recommended expanding the program, estimating a $9.3 million annual cost for full-scale implementation, which could result in savings of up to $43.9 million. Metro Councilmember Zulfat Suara, a key advocate for the program, is pushing for continued funding and expansion, arguing that the program not only provides financial savings but also improves residents' mental and physical health.

A three-judge panel from the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday denied the White House's attempt to restart deportations under wartime authority. By a 2-1 vote, the panel upheld a lower court order that temporarily blocked the Trump administration from quickly deporting alleged Venezuelan gang members under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, National Public Radio reports. The White House said it plans to appeal to the Supreme Court. The ruling keeps in place a temporary restraining order from District Court Judge James Boasberg, who on March 15 blocked deportations under the act. The Department of Justice argued that Boasberg had overstepped his authority by intervening in foreign policy matters. The order will expire Saturday, and further proceedings on whether to issue a longer injunction are expected to return to Boasberg.

Chambliss, Bahner and Stophel has announced that shareholder Cal Marshall is the new chair of its Health Care Practice Group. He succeeds Doug Griswold. Marshall advises health care and business clients on regulatory compliance and transactional matters. A former aide to several U.S. House of Representatives members, he has a background in health care policy and government oversight, offering strategic guidance to clients nationwide, according to Chattanoogan.com. Marshall earned his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law. He is a fellow of the American Bar Foundation and a member of the Chattanooga, Tennessee and American Bar Associations. "I am honored to step into this leadership position and build upon our team's strong foundation," Marshall said. "I look forward to facilitating the continued growth of our practice and the exceptional service our clients expect."

A Memphis physician has been indicted for theft and insurance fraud, marking the second time the doctor has faced similar charges in the last two decades. Dr. Rande Lazar, an ear, nose and throat specialist, has been charged with one count each of TennCare fraud and theft of property. Lazar was indicted March 6, taken into custody March 13 and released on a $35,000 bond. He is due back in court in May. Legal trouble began for Lazar in 2004, when he was federally indicted on 115 counts of insurance fraud after allegedly filing false insurance claims for surgeries he did not perform, the Daily Memphian reports. Lazar was accused of falsely billing for frontal sinus surgery for more than 100 children. The indictment accused Lazar of requiring others in his practice to falsify both TennCare and Medicaid records to indicate that he had performed the surgeries. Those charges were later dropped after a judge found the search warrant served in the case was problematic.

The Tennessee General Assembly has confirmed Judge Valerie L. Smith and Judge Steven W. Sword to their respective appellate courts. Both were appointed by Gov. Bill Lee on Feb. 28. Smith will join the Tennessee Court of Appeals, Western Division, to fill a vacancy left by the retirement of Judge Arnold B. Goldin. She previously served as a circuit court judge for the 30th Judicial District and worked as an attorney at Nahon, Saharovich & Trotz and the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office. She received her law degree from the University of Memphis. Sword was confirmed to the Court of Criminal Appeals, Eastern Division, to fill a vacancy created by the death of Judge James C. Witt Jr. Sword served as a Knox County criminal court judge since 2011, and was an assistant district attorney for 15 years. He is also a judge advocate general in the U.S. Army Reserves. Sword received his law degree from the University of Tennessee School of Law.

The Trump administration has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to allow the firing of thousands of workers at six federal agencies after a judge ordered that they be reinstated. Bloomberg Law reports that the U.S. Justice Department (DOJ) filed an emergency application today. The case involves 16,000 fired workers who had probationary status, meaning they had been in their roles for no more than two years. Departments impacted include Agriculture, Defense, Energy, Interior, Treasury and Veterans Affairs. DOJ also asked the court for permission to keep the reinstated employees on paid administrative leave instead of taking steps to restore them to full active duty while the litigation process proceeds.

Knoxville attorney J. Lewis Kinnard has died at age 92. Kinnard earned his law degree at the University of Tennessee College of Law after serving two years of active duty at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. After graduation, he practiced law in Sweetwater, where he also served as Monroe County judge and Sweetwater municipal attorney. Kinnard later practiced law in Madisonville for 62 years and served as board chair for Wood Home in Sweetwater and as a board member for the Tellico Reservoir Development Agency. Visitation will be held April 6 at Resurrection Presbyterian Church, 6900 Nubbin Ridge Dr., Knoxville from 3 to 4:30 p.m. EDT. A funeral service will follow at 4:30 p.m. EDT. A second service will be held April 7 at the Monroe County Courthouse in Madisonville from 3 to 6 p.m. EDT. Donations may be made to Sweetwater Boy Scout Troop 98, P.O. Box 450, Sweetwater, TN 37384; Monroe County Courthouse, 105 College St. S., Madisonville, TN 37354; or Resurrection Presbyterian Church at the above address.

The TBA Board of Governors has filled several key positions that had been vacant after the filing period closed. Cookeville attorney Henry "Hank" D. Fincher was named 4th District governor. Knoxville lawyer Kelly Street with McAfee Armistead & Davis was appointed the East Tennessee grand division governor. And Alexandra "Alix" Rogers with Belmont University College of Law in Nashville was selected as Tennessee's young lawyer delegate to the ABA House of Delegates. The TBA is still seeking to fill vacancies in its House of Delegates for Districts 9, 14, 15, 24, 26, 28 and 31. Interested candidates are encouraged to visit the TBA’s election page for additional information and contact BarED@tnbar.org to be considered for any of the openings.