Tennessee Board of Law Examiners and Lawyers Assistance Program Vindicated after Department of Justice Closes Misguided Biden-Era Investigation
Nashville—The Tennessee Attorney General’s Office announced that the U.S. Department of Justice has officially closed a matter in which DOJ erroneously alleged violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act by the Tennessee Board of Law Examiners (TBLE) and the Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program (TLAP). DOJ opened an investigation in 2023 after TBLE referred two bar applicants with histories of concerning conduct to TLAP, which required those applicants to comply with reasonable medical assessments and monitoring as conditions for practicing law in Tennessee.
The TBLE oversees attorney admissions, ensuring candidates meet required standards of character and fitness. TLAP provides confidential support to attorneys facing substance-abuse, mental-health, and related challenges. Both organizations operate under the authority of the Tennessee Supreme Court, which has long promoted policies ensuring fair treatment for all applicants.
“We are glad the Department of Justice has closed this misguided matter attacking common-sense guardrails protecting the integrity of the practice of law in Tennessee,” said Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti. “The Biden DOJ’s investigation and findings were baseless overreach. I’m proud of Tennessee’s track record of upholding the highest professional standards while ensuring that qualified people have equal opportunity to practice law, regardless of disability status.”
Following Tennessee’s comprehensive response demonstrating its longstanding commitment to ADA compliance, the DOJ formally closed the matter in a letter from the head of the Civil Rights Division on August 22, 2025.
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