Lawsuit pending against state of Tennessee for ending federal pandemic unemployment programs early A Nashville attorney says they are working on litigation to take the state to court. This comes after the state decided to end federal unemployment benefits early. Author: CARESSE JACKMAN (WSMV) Updated: 10:18 PM EDT July 23, 2021 NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A Nashville attorney says they are working on litigation to take the state to court. This comes after the state decided to end federal unemployment benefits early. Attorney Gary Blackburn, with The Blackburn Firm, says he’s heard the cries from people across the state and feels their arguments are justified.