A judge ruled Thursday that Alphabet’s Google illegally dominates two markets for online advertising technology. According to Reuters, U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema found Google liable for “willfully acquiring and maintaining monopoly power” in the markets for publisher ad servers and ad exchanges, which sit between buyers and sellers. The decision clears the way for a future hearing to determine what steps Google must take to restore competition in those markets, such as selling off parts of its business. A trial date has not yet been set. It is the second court ruling finding that Google holds an illegal monopoly, following a similar judgment in a case over online search. The U.S. Department of Justice has said Google should be required to divest at least its Google Ad Manager, which includes the company’s publisher ad server and ad exchange. Read more in a statement from Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti.

The trial of former Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada and his chief of staff, Cade Cothren, will begin tomorrow. The government alleges 20 counts of money laundering, bribery, wire fraud and theft related to the operations of a mailer company, Phoenix Solutions. The trial likely will feature a long list of Republican lawmakers and operatives called to testify, including Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, House Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland, Rep. Todd Warner, R-Chapel Hill, and more, the Nashville Banner reports.

A man charged with murder at age 17 — and whose charges were later dismissed — is suing the Memphis Police Department for $5 million. Ladarrius Perry alleges he was arrested and prosecuted without probable cause, which led to 2 1/2 years in the Shelby County Jail, according to The Daily Memphian. Perry was charged in 2021 with the 2020 shooting death of a 41-year-old woman in Southwest Memphis. The lawsuit claims police officers, who are named as defendants, used illegal tactics and threats during his interrogation — including telling Perry they would charge his 13-year-old cousin with the murder — which led to his confession. The charges were dismissed Dec. 13, 2023, for lack of probable cause. But the dismissal didn’t come without “cost, scars, and a lifetime of adjustments,” the suit alleges.

The Tennessee Board of Law Examiners has released statistics about the state's February 2025 bar exam. According to the board, 244 individuals — 102 first time test takers and 142 repeaters — took the exam. They represent 60 different law schools and saw an overall pass rate of 44%. First-time test takers saw a pass rate of 58%. For first time test-takers at Tennessee law schools, Belmont University College of Law and Vanderbilt University Law School saw a 100% pass rate, followed by the University of Tennessee College of Law at 88%, Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law at 77%, University of Memphis School of Law at 50%, and Nashville School of Law at 44%. See all statistical information released by the board or see the list of those who passed.

TBA CLE hit the road to Louisville, Kentucky, April 4-5 for an unforgettable weekend of continuing legal education, hosted in collaboration with the Louisville Bar Association and inspired by the city’s famed Urban Bourbon Trail. The event kicked off that Friday afternoon with Louisville attorney and bourbon historian Brian Haara, who delivered an eye-opening presentation on the surprising ways bourbon law helped shape American commercial law. Haara, an attorney at Fultz Maddox Dickens, is the author of "Bourbon Justice."

Davidson County Chancellor Anne Martin followed with an insider’s perspective on Tennessee’s Business Courts, offering valuable insights from the bench. That evening, attendees enjoyed a specially curated four-course dinner featuring local Kentucky flavors at the acclaimed Proof on Main.

Saturday’s sessions began with a dynamic ethics program led by TBA President Ed Lanquist Jr., Court of Appeals Judge Neal McBrayer and Martin. Using scenes from popular films, the trio guided participants through a thoughtful discussion of legal ethics highlighting both the “reel” and real-life challenges attorneys face in practice. The weekend wrapped up with bourbon tastings and tours along the Urban Bourbon Trail, where participants chose from renowned distilleries including Angel’s Envy, Rabbit Hole, Old Forester and Peerless Distilling Co. View photos from the trip. Want to join the next destination CLE? Visit TBA's website to stay in the loop.

The Tennessee Bar Foundation has launched a new IOLTA Capital Improvement and Technology Enhancement (CITE) Grant, a one-time grant to help legal aid and civil legal services providers strengthen operational capacity and technology. Funding can be requested for capital improvements, projects that enhance efficiency and improving client service with technology, or projects that drive innovation through technology. Applications should be submitted by 11:59 p.m. CDT on April 23. Read more in a press release from the foundation or access detailed guidelines — including eligibility requirements, application standards and evaluation criteria — and frequently asked questions on the foundation’s website.

A three-judge panel of the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that a lower court erred in sealing dozens of deposition transcripts related to a lawsuit against CoreCivic, the private company that operates several prisons in Tennessee. The Nashville Banner had challenged the 2021 decision to seal the documents after the company entered into a $56 million settlement over a class-action lawsuit alleging it misrepresented the condition of its prisons. Thursday’s ruling found “no findings whatsoever” to justify sealing the transcripts. “Part of our job as journalists is to fight for open courts so the public can make their own decisions about what happens in them,” said Steve Cavendish, editor of the Banner. The appellate court gave the district court 60 days to review the transcripts and decide if any should remain sealed.

The ABA Center for Professional Responsibility has circulated for comment a memorandum and discussion draft of possible amendments to ABA Model Rule of Professional Conduct 1.14: Client with Diminished Capacity. The memorandum explains the reason for the amendments, while the discussion draft sets forth possible amendments to address that need. Comments about the possible amendments should be sent to modelruleamend@americanbar.org by May 12,. Comments also may be posted on the ABA’s website. Please contact Mary McDermott or Ellyn Rosen with any questions.

Gov. Bill Lee on Thursday announced the appointment of Ryan Hubbard as the state’s first chief immigration enforcement officer, effective immediately. The Chattanoogan reports that the appointment follows passage of Lee’s immigration agenda during the 2025 special legislative session, which supported the Trump administration’s border security and public safety efforts. Hubbard, a veteran federal agent with 28 years of experience in immigration enforcement, joined Homeland Security Investigations in 2003 after the creation of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. He also served in both Memphis and Nashville and later joined the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force in Nashville. “Ryan Hubbard is a dedicated public servant with decades of experience in immigration enforcement, and I am confident he is the right person to oversee this new division,” Lee said.

The TBA again this year is honoring the work of Tennessee journalists through the Fourth Estate Award, which honors courageous reporting on justice and the law. Don't miss the opportunity to nominate a journalist or group of journalists! Nominations are due by April 30. The TBA strongly supports freedom of expression under the First Amendment, as exercised by lawyers on behalf of their clients and by journalists on behalf of the public, and particularly wants to recognize and encourage journalists who promote public understanding of the rule of law and our system of justice through vigorous exercise of their First Amendment rights. Attorneys who have relationships with reporters or observed a particularly compelling piece of journalism in 2024 are encouraged to submit a nomination. Read about past recipients here and read the TBA's full press release.