Jeanne Bigham Heaton has been named the new executive director of the Nashville Bar Association. She will begin her duties on May 20. Heaton is a lawyer who served as the director of continuing legal education for the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) for more than 17 years. In that role, she directed the association’s CLE program, working with more than 50 sections and committees. She also represented the ISBA on the CLE Advisory Committee to the Illinois Supreme Court’s Commission on Professionalism. Heaton previously practiced environmental law in Illinois. Read more from the NBA.

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti has announced that Tennessee and five other states are suing the federal Department of Education (DOE) to challenge its overhaul of Title IX of the Educational Amendments Act. The Tennessean reports that Title IX is a longstanding federal law that bans sexual discrimination against students, employees and others at public schools, colleges and universities that receive federal funds. Earlier this month, the Biden administration introduced updated Title IX rules that include protections against all sex-based harassment and discrimination, including discrimination based on sex stereotypes, sexual orientation, gender identity and sexual characteristics. The lawsuit claims that the changes would harm Tennessee students, families and schools.

The Access to Justice (ATJ) Commission, Legal Aid of East Tennessee (LAET), Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands (LAS), West Tennessee Legal Services (WTLS), Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services (TALS), The University of Tennessee College of Law Legal Clinic, Free Hearts and United Way are recruiting pro bono volunteer attorneys for their rights restoration project. The project's aim is to aid Tennesseans with criminal records in restoring their rights. View a flyer for more information and a link to register to help.

Chief Deputy Clerk Lisa Marsh retired from the Tennessee courts after 25 years. She began working in the clerk's office in 1976 and left in 1983 after the birth of her son. She returned in 2003. "You will not find a more dedicated or reliable public servant in the judiciary than Lisa Marsh,” said Tennessee Court of Appeals Judge Neal McBrayer. “So many of us, especially me, have come to rely on her intimate knowledge of the inner workings of clerk's office. It is difficult for me to imagine coming to the courthouse without her steady presence." Read this tribute from the Administrative Office of the Courts.

Pass rates on the February 2024 bar exam are trending up, following what has been a multi-year slide in many states. Reuters reports that among the 42 jurisdictions that have reported February results thus far, 31 have a higher overall pass rate than in February of 2023 according to data, compiled by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE). However, only 15 had pass rates above 50%, according to the NCBE data. Tennessee had a 40% pass rate. Nationwide, 19,496 people took the February bar.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has announced that it will move to reclassify marijuana from a Schedule I drug (like heroin and LSD) to a less dangerous Schedule III drug (like ketamine and some anabolic steroids). The Associated Press reports that the proposal would recognize the medical uses of cannabis and acknowledge it has less potential for abuse than some of the most dangerous drugs. However, it would not legalize marijuana outright for recreational use. Schedule III drugs are controlled substances and subject to rules and regulations, and those who traffic them without permission still can face federal criminal prosecution.

American Bar Association (ABA) President Mary Smith was in Nashville recently on business and had the opportunity to get together informally with members of the local legal community. She was welcomed to Tennessee by Nashville lawyer Jonathan Cole, who has been nominated to be the next chair of the ABA House of Delegates, the second ranking officer position in the ABA. Cole, who practices at Baker Donelson, will take office at the group’s annual meeting in August. Cole also is chair of the TBA’s ABA Resource Committee. A reception for Smith was held at Baker Donelson. See photos from the gathering.

Attorneys from Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands (LAS) joined representatives from several other partner agencies for an expungement clinic on April 13. Held at Mt. Gilead Missionary Baptist Church in Hermitage, the event provided free legal assistance to nearly 100 attendees. LAS representatives Savannah Quintero, Tomi Robb, Shelby Dodson and Mustafa Enver took part in the clinic, partnering with Judges Robin Kimbrough Hayes and Cynthia Chappell, as well as representatives from the Tennessee Justice Center, Napier-Looby Bar Association, the Office of Howard Gentry, Davidson County Criminal Court and District Attorney General Glenn Funk’s office. A total of 324 expungements were handled during the clinic, resulting in thousands of dollars in court costs being waived for the participants. Read more in a news release from LAS.

A portrait of U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Julia Smith Gibbons will be unveiled May 30 and presented to the 30th Judicial District Circuit Court. The event will take place at 3 p.m. CDT at the Judge D'Army Bailey Courthouse, 140 Adams Ave., 2nd Floor, South Corridor, Memphis 38103. A reception including drinks and light hors d'oeuvres will follow. Gibbons announced last August that she would take senior status on the court. View the invitation or RSVP to alaina_vandeventer@cab.uscourts.gov.

The Tennessee Bar Association is now accepting applications from candidates interested in the position of Communications Coordinator. This full-time position is responsible for maintaining an effective TBA presence on social media, gathering news and court opinions for the TBA Today e-newsletter, contributing content for the TBA website and other publications, and producing TBA’s podcasts. The TBA currently works in a hybrid arrangement. To apply, send a cover letter explaining interest in the position and a resume by email to Human Resources and Administrative Coordinator Tanja Trezise. The full job description can be accessed here.