Four Middle Tennessee family law attorneys — David Garrett, Jacob T. Thorington, Jason A. Talley and Kayla Redmon — have launched a new firm, Garrett Talley & Thorington, with offices in Franklin. The firm’s family law services represent clients in divorces, including uncontested divorces and complex divorces with high assets or intellectual property assets, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, child custody and child support, alimony and spousal support. David Garrett and Jacob T. Thorington also provide Rule 31 listed family law mediations, the Williamson Herald reports. The lawyers bring a combined 70 years of family law experience to the new firm. “We’re excited to announce this new association. We bring tremendous experience in guiding clients through what can be some of the most difficult times in their lives and providing legal solutions that are specifically designed to meet their unique goals. We share not only experience, but the desire to provide the best guidance possible to our clients,” Garrett said.

An official investiture ceremony was held for Hamilton County Circuit Court’s newest judge, Jennifer Peck, the Chattanoogan reports. Peck, a native of Chattanooga who grew up on Signal Mountain and attended Baylor School, founded Peck Legal Group after graduating from Auburn University and earning her law degree at Regent University. She later served as deputy commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Commerce before being appointed to the bench by Gov. Bill Lee in May and began hearing cases that month. She fills a vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Michael Dumitru, who recently took office as a new federal magistrate judge in East Tennessee.

A total of 101 people born in foreign countries became U.S. citizens Wednesday at a naturalization ceremony at Tusculum University in Greeneville. According to the Greeneville Sun, a large crowd watched as the U.S. District Judge Clifton Corker administered the Oath of Allegiance to the people from 44 countries in the theater at the Annie-Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Center on campus. Corker reflected on American history, from the signing of the Constitution in 1787 to the struggles for civil rights, while encouraging the group to exercise freedoms such as speech, religion and voting. Several new citizens shared their personal journeys as well. Following the proceedings, many of the new citizens waited patiently in line to have their photographs taken with Corker and took the opportunity to register to vote in the lobby of the theater.

After news last week about two university employees facing termination proceedings for comments made after the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, WSMV reports that a state employee with the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance also has been fired. In addition, the Nashville Banner reports that a Metro Nashville employee was placed on leave, Austin Peay State University fired a longtime theatre professor, Cumberland University fired a professor and another staffer, and East Tennessee State University suspended two tenured professors.

The Birmingham-based law firm Bradley, with offices in Chattanooga, Knoxville and Nashville, was honored this week with the Exceptional Service Award from the American Bar Association’s (ABA) Death Penalty Representation Project. The award was presented at the project’s annual Volunteer Recognition & Awards Event and recognized the firm’s exceptional commitment to excellence in capital defense. Over the years, the firm has represented 39 individuals across five states. In 2024, 31 firm attorneys dedicated more than 1,000 pro bono hours to prisoners on death row. Over the last year years, six of Bradley’s clients either have been exonerated or removed from death row. Read more in a press release from the firm. Since 1986, the Death Penalty Representation Project has worked to ensure that those facing a death sentence have qualified counsel by locating and supporting law firms that take on pro bono cases. See a photo from the event.

Gov. Bill Lee announced recently that Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart McWhorter will assume the role of deputy governor effective Oct. 15. He will replace Butch Eley, who plans to step down after nearly seven years in Lee's cabinet. McWhorter will continue in his current role. "I’m deeply grateful for Stuart’s leadership and appreciate his willingness to take on an expanded role as deputy governor," Lee said in a release. He also thanked Eley for his service saying he “has been one of my most trusted advisors and a steady hand in guiding Tennessee through seasons of opportunity, as well as uncertainty.”

The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled this week that a lawsuit on behalf of a Nashville woman tased and shot by police officers during a mental health crisis in 2021 can go forward. The court determined that the lawsuit, filed in 2022, “plausibly alleges that the officers violated the woman’s clearly established rights.” Last year, District Court Judge William Campbell dismissed the case, but the latest ruling means that attorneys may pursue the woman’s legal claims against Metro and two named officers. The Nashville Banner has more on the case.

Tennessee Attorney General (AG) Jonathan Skrmetti joined the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and a bipartisan coalition of six other state attorneys general today in a lawsuit against Ticketmaster and its parent entity, Live Nation Entertainment. The suit alleges the companies engage in a ticket scalping scheme that locks out fans and drives up prices. The suit cites violations of the federal Better Online Ticket Sales Act (BOTS Act) and the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act. The coalition is seeking injunctive relief to stop the alleged practices and monetary relief to compensate harmed consumers. Read more in a press release from the AG’s office.

The Tennessee Supreme Court on Sept. 16 issued an order soliciting comments from the legal community and the public on seven questions related to regulation of the legal profession. The court said the goal of the effort is to lower barriers to entry into the profession and ensure availability of affordable legal services in the state while ensuring the competency of attorneys and safeguarding the public. Comments should address whether the court should (1) modify, reduce or eliminate reliance on American Bar Association (ABA) accreditation in setting minimum educational requirements for lawyers; (2) consider alternatives to ABA accreditation; (3) consider adopting alternative pathways for admission to the bar; (4) consider modifying requirements for admission for those licensed in other states; and (5) modify, reduce or eliminate regulations prohibiting non-lawyer ownership of law firms or fee sharing with non-lawyers. Feedback also is sought on whether there are less costly alternatives to the traditional three-year law school curriculum and whether any legal services currently provided by lawyers could be competently provided by paraprofessionals. Comments should include docket No. ADM2025-01403 and be submitted by March 16, 2026, to Clerk James Hivner, Re: Regulatory Reform, 100 Supreme Court Building, 401 7th Ave. N., Nashville, TN 37219 or by email to appellatecourtclerk@tncourts.gov.

Representatives of the TBA were at Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law (LMU Law) today to talk to students about membership in the association. Knoxville attorney and YLD District Representative Mari Jasa was in attendance to answer any questions students had about entering the legal profession and getting involved with the TBA while in law school. LMU Law students Jillian McGauley and Charlie Pritchett, who were members of the YLD's inaugural Rural Judicial Fellowship program, also were on hand to share their experiences. Students also were encouraged to apply for the award-winning DLI program. The 2026 class application is available and due on Nov. 2. See photos from the day.