NASHVILLE – Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti stepped up to the podium Tuesday to announce a multi-state coalition formed to challenge what they deem an aggressive reinterpretation of Title IX by the federal government. Addressing the crowd on the steps of the John Sevier Building, Skrmetti, flanked by his legal team, voiced his concerns about potential overhauls threatening women's equality. The Attorney General's office has rallied support from several states in this legal stand to uphold what they consider the true spirit of Title IX.
At 2:00 pm CT, legal heavyweights, including Chief Deputy Attorney General Lacey Mase and Solicitor General Matt Rice, entered the fray, advocating for the preservation of the original intent behind Title IX. Dedicated to maintaining a level playing field for women in education and athletics, they assert that the federal government's current path could undermine decades of progress. With an agenda leading the charge for what Tennessee views as a pivotal issue in women's rights, the state's legal team is looking to set a precedent.
The Attorney General’s team at the conference was completed by Chief of Staff Brandon Smith, Senior Director of Strategic Litigation Unit Whitney Hermandorfer, and Jenna Adamson, Assistant Solicitor General and Strategic Litigation Counsel. Together, they detailed the actions taken by Tennessee in a legal strategy that spans multiple states, reflecting a broader resistance to changes they argue could erode established protections for women under the law.
Information about the press conference, including the list of influential legal minds set to appear alongside Attorney General Skrmetti, was first released to the public in an Attorney General published on April 29. While reactions to the coalition’s actions have been varied, with voices of critique and support alike rising in the wake, the office stands firm in its belief that the sovereignty of Title IX is integral to the advancement and protection of women's rights in America.
