Chemerinsky: SCOTUS considers law prohibiting gender-affirming care—case of constitutionality, deep cultural division

The culture wars come to the Supreme Court Dec. 4 when it hears oral arguments in United States v. Skrmetti, which involves the constitutionality of a Tennessee law that prohibits gender affirming care for transgender youths. Twenty-six states have adopted such laws. An estimated 118,000 transgender teenagers, about 40% of transgender youths, live in states with bans on gender-affirming care.

Nov 27, 2024 8:45 AM CST

‘Ultimatedadbod’ lawyer arrested on child exploitation charges after chats with undercover agents reveal identity

Updated: A Tennessee lawyer was arrested last week on federal charges that include child exploitation and animal crushing after he allegedly shared a digital photo of himself with an undercover agent that included a certificate on the wall with his name.

Nov 20, 2024 8:56 AM CST

Judge reprimanded for ordering payment of restitution to himself

A judge in Putnam County, Tennessee, has received a public reprimand for accepting a guilty plea and imposing restitution in a case involving damage to his truck.

Oct 15, 2024 1:15 PM CDT

Vanderbilt’s goal post teardown follows a football tradition that’s led to litigation from injured fans

Oct 8, 2024 3:06 PM CDT

Chemerinsky: Will the Supreme Court have a role in the presidential election as it enters a new term?

As the justices return to the bench on Oct. 7 for the new term, the unknowable question is whether the U.S. Supreme Court will play a role in the outcome of the November 2024 presidential election. Will this year be like 2000, when a close election was effectively decided by the court’s ruling in Bush v. Gore? Or will it be like 2020, when a close election did not raise any issues for the justices to decide?

Oct 2, 2024 8:53 AM CDT

Tennessee law denies transgender youths equal access to medical care, ABA says

Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming medical care for transgender youths violates the 14th Amendment’s equal protection clause, the ABA has argued in an amicus brief filed with the U.S. Supreme Court.

Sep 3, 2024 2:00 PM CDT

‘Professional development strategy’ is reason for delayed start date for associates, midsize firm says

Midsize law firm Bass, Berry & Sims is pushing back the start date for its 22 incoming associates from September to January. The delay is a “professional development strategy” intended to give current junior associates more experience in transactional matters amid an uptick in such work, said Kerry Price, the…

Aug 15, 2024 11:25 AM CDT

4 surprising signs of attorney stress and some ways to address it

The long hours and the pressure to succeed are like a pressure cooker just waiting to explode. And often, your body will start giving you signs that you have to help your mind. While you may recognize common signs of stress—tension headaches, fatigue and mood changes—there are other surprising signs of stress that your body may provide. Here are some to watch.

Jul 24, 2024 8:46 AM CDT

Ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors will be reviewed by Supreme Court

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday agreed to review the constitutionality of a Tennessee law that bans gender-affirming surgeries, puberty blockers and hormones for transgender minors.

Jun 24, 2024 12:23 PM CDT

Appeals court upholds negligent homicide conviction for encouraging suicide by electronic means

A defendant living in Indiana who encouraged a Tennessee woman in online conversations to kill herself for his sexual pleasure can be found guilty of criminally negligent homicide, a Tennessee appeals court has ruled.

Jun 12, 2024 11:32 AM CDT

21 state AGs sign letter demanding changes to ABA diversity standard for law schools

The attorneys general of 21 states are urging the council for the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar to change a law school accreditation standard that encourages diversity in admissions and hiring.

Jun 5, 2024 9:00 AM CDT

Another state approves death penalty for child rape

Republican Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed a bill last week that authorizes the death penalty for aggravated rape of a child by an adult.

May 16, 2024 2:14 PM CDT

Incarceration series includes female inmates but doesn’t tell full story

“Moreover, the series has thus far failed to explain some of the most counterintuitive aspects and sex-based discrepancies of American sentencing and incarceration,” writes Oklahoma lawyer and ABA Journal columnist Adam Banner.

Apr 8, 2024 12:32 PM CDT

Suspended judge’s bond revoked after she tests positive for cocaine

A suspended criminal court judge has been booked into a Memphis, Tennessee, jail after she tested positive for cocaine while awaiting a trial on charges of coercing a witness and harassment.

Mar 29, 2024 9:47 AM CDT

Killings by police brought reforms. Fear of crime is unraveling them

RowVaughn Wells traveled to the Tennessee Capitol last week hoping to preserve the small silver lining that emerged from the death of her son, who was fatally beaten last year after being pulled over by Memphis Police. In his memory, the city passed the Tyre Nichols Driving Equality Act, barring officers from conducting certain traffic stops for low-level violations, among other measures. But now state lawmakers are advancing legislation that would nullify the Memphis law.

Mar 11, 2024 11:00 AM CDT