The Metro Nashville Council adopted legislation this week to add guardrails to Fusus, a camera surveillance system that will allow the Nashville Police Department to access businesses’ private security footage with the owner’s consent to address calls for service. The proposal had failed by one vote last year. This year, the legislation received eight additional votes. Debate on the measure centered on whether the cameras could be used for government overreach or target marginalized communities. Supporters argued that the system will not be used to target immigrants or specific groups. “It is just a photo of a criminal leaving a business,” said council member Bob Nash. He has supported the system from the beginning. Read more from the Nashville Post.

The U.S. Justice Department (DOJ) and FBI this week announced the launch of Joint Task Force October 7 (JTF 10-7), an initiative that will "seek justice for the victims of the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack in Israel and address the ongoing threat posed by Hamas and its affiliates." According to the department, 47 U.S. citizens were killed that day and eight were taken hostage. The task force will focus on “targeting, charging, and securing for prosecution in the United States” the individual perpetrators of the Oct. 7 attack as well as take responsibility for pending charges against Hamas leadership. In addition, the group will investigate “acts of terrorism and civil rights violations by individuals and entities providing support and financing to Hamas, related Iran proxies, and their affiliates, as well as acts of antisemitism by these groups.” Read more in a release from the department.

Davidson County Sheriff Daron Hall recently announced changes in how county correctional facilities will handle legal mail sent to inmates. Hall says the change is necessary to protect against drug overdoses and related deaths. Several years ago, the process for personal mail was changed after finding that senders were soaking paper in a liquid form of opioids. Inmates then would lick or eat the paper to get the desired high. Now letters are scanned and inmates are provided an electronic version on tablets. At the time, processing of legal mail was left unchanged with letters being opened in front of the inmate. Now Hall says there is “direct knowledge” that envelopes and documents that appear to be legal mail are being used in the same way. Effective May 5, facilities no longer will provide the actual mail but, in the presence of the inmate, will make a photo copy and provide that version. Additionally, no legal mail will be allowed to go directly to inmates in court, at the courthouse or any other location. All mail from attorneys and court staff must be left in the Birch Building mailbox marked “DCSO Legal Mail,” or taken to the Downtown Detention Center or Correctional Development Center lobby.

The Vanderbilt University Law School’s AI Law Lab (VAILL) will hold a hacking event on April 12 to identify new solutions to the challenge of addressing the unmet legal needs of Americans. “Hacking Pro Bono: Innovating Legal Help with AI” will run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. CDT. Legal professionals of all backgrounds are invited to participate. Technical skills or knowledge of coding are not needed! Individuals or team members can register online. There is no charge for students and faculty. Others are asked to pay a nominal fee of $25 to cover food and materials. The AI Lab reports that more than 50% of legal problems in the country go unresolved. It is dedicated to finding ways through events such as this one to use technology to expand the reach and impact of pro bono legal services. Learn more.

The Knoxville Bar Association (KBA) will hold its annual Law Day Luncheon on April 30 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. EDT at the Crowne Plaza Knoxville, 401 W Summit Hill Dr. SW, Knoxville 37902. The event will showcase the work of the Knoxville Barristers, including presentation of the 2025 Law & Liberty Award and recognition of high school mock trial teams. Former Tennessee Gov. Lamar Alexander will provide the keynote address. Learn more and register online. This year’s Law Day theme — Out of Many, One — celebrates the constitution’s ability to bridge differences and unite Americans.

On March 12, the Tennessee Supreme Court dismissed a petition for discipline without prejudice against Hawkins County lawyer Terry Risner and struck a notice of submission filed by the board. The court reports that the Board of Professional Responsibility filed a notice to dismiss and withdrawal of notice of submission on March 11. The board had filed a petition for discipline with the court on July 31, 2024. Risner remains suspended based on a March 22, 2024, order.

The Tennessee House of Representatives on Monday passed HB0064/SB0472, which would require any educational institutions housing minors overnight to segregate restrooms, changing areas and showers “by immutable biological sex.” Bill sponsor Rep. Gino Bulso, R-Brentwood, told the Nashville Post that the bill aims to protect young girls in Tennessee. The bill passed 74-18 without debate after Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland, made a prevailing motion to put it to an immediate vote. Dahron Johnson, co-chair of the Tennessee Equality Project Nashville, told the Nashville Post that the group is concerned about the bill's vague language and potential for overreach. The Senate Education Committee passed its version of the bill last week. The full Senate is expected to consider the bill on March 20.

The TBA Intellectual Property Section will host its April installment of the IP webcast series on April 10 from 11 a.m. to noon CDT. The webcast will offer a comprehensive overview of the legal and business considerations surrounding influencer marketing, covering topics such as influencer classifications, FTC compliance requirements, influencer agreements and brand protection strategies. Real-world case studies will be used to illustrate common legal pitfalls such as liability for misleading endorsements and intellectual property infringement. Finally, the program will emphasize the importance of drafting clear contracts and monitoring protocols, and will provide practical drafting tips to mitigate reputational and regulatory risks. Intellectual Property Section members save on registration costs. Not a member? Join now!

The TBA Young Lawyers Division (YLD) and its Mock Trial Committee will hold the 2025 Tennessee State High School Mock Trial Competition this week in Nashville. On Friday and Saturday, 16 teams will meet in a bid to be this year's state champion. Participating schools are: Agathos Classical School in Columbia, Central Magnet School in Murfreesboro, Clarksville High School, Cookeville High School, two teams from Chattanooga Southeast Home Education Association, Elizabethton High School, Harpeth Hall School in Nashville, Jefferson County High School in Dandridge, Lausanne Collegiate School in Memphis, Maryville High School, Memphis University School, Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville, Sevier County High School in Sevierville, St. Mary's Episcopal School in Memphis, and University School of Nashville. Students will present their best arguments in Lee Jasper v Reece Witherfork, a civil case centered around a rodeo. This year's competition also will feature the first Artist in the Courtroom Contest. Tennessee's team winner and first place artist then will have the opportunity to represent the state at the National High School Mock Trial Competition in Phoenix, Arizona, May 7-10. The Mock Trial Committee is led by Chair Ashley Tipton, Vice Chair Michael Holmes and Long Range Planning Coordinator Zack Walden. The state competition caps off the district competition process. This year, students from 110 teams competed at nine regional events.

The Appalachian Public Interest and Environmental Law (APIEL) Conference is an annual gathering of lawyers, scientists, students and members of the general public to discuss environmental issues and happenings in Appalachia, public policy and grassroots initiatives. The 16th annual event will be held Oct. 25-26 at the University of Tennessee College of Law. The conference is accepting proposals until May 1 for presentations, panels, workshops and discussions that address critical issues in environmental law and justice. Contact conference organizers Samantha Brooks or Sydney Ross with questions.