Hamilton County Criminal Court Clerk Vince Dean introduced two new QR codes to streamline common courthouse processes. The first allows defendants with dismissed traffic citations to scan a code, complete expungement paperwork on their own time, and receive electronic notification when the process is complete — eliminating the need to wait in line. The second code guides defendants through the driver's license reinstatement process, also allowing paperwork to be filled out and submitted electronically at their convenience. Chattanoogan.com has the story.

Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law (LMU Law) recently announced that Brent Jones will join the faculty as a visiting assistant professor of law. Jones has served as an adjunct professor of trial advocacy at LMU Law since 2019. He most recently served as an assistant United States attorney for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Tennessee, where he prosecuted federal cases involving drug trafficking, firearms offenses and money laundering. Jones currently serves in the U.S. Air Force Reserve with the Office of Special Trial Counsel. Jones earned his law degree from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University. Read more in a press release from LMU Law.

The Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals heard oral arguments April 7 and 8 at the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. Judges John W. Campbell, Camille R. McMullen and Robert W. Wedemeyer sat for the court. “This year marks 50 years since my graduation from the Law School, and it was an honor to be back and to talk to students, faculty, and Dean Jim Strickland. Judge Campbell and I are both Memphis Law grads and we shared some of our law school memories with the students,” Wedemeyer said after the proceedings. The law school hosted the oral argument for the court while the Jackson courthouse undergoes renovations. The change of venue provided a unique opportunity for law students to observe the appeals process and ask questions of both the attorneys and the judges. Read more from the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) or watch the arguments on the AOC's Youtube channel.

The Trial Court Vacancy Commission is currently accepting applications to fill a vacancy in the 1st Judicial District Criminal Court following the appointment of Judge Stacy Street to the appellate bench. Applicants must be Tennessee-licensed attorneys who are at least 30 years old and have been residents of the state for at least five years and residents of the judicial district, which covers Carter, Johnson, Unicoi and Washington counties. The public hearing for this position will be held June 4 at 9 a.m. EDT at the George P. Jaynes Justice Center, 108 West Jackson Blvd., Jonesborough 37659. More information, including application requirements, may be accessed on the Administrative Office of the Courts' (AOC) website. Applications must be received by noon CDT on May 6. Contact John Jefferson at the AOC at John.Jefferson@tncourts.gov or 615-741-2687 with questions.

The Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) has approved a bylaws change allowing middle and high school student-athletes to transfer schools once without a bona fide change of address and remain immediately eligible, aligning with a new state law signed by Gov. Bill Lee. According to Knox News, the TSSAA Legislative Council voted unanimously April 14 to adopt the rule, which takes effect July 1 and permits one transfer between school years, provided students meet other eligibility requirements, including age and recruiting rules. The change shifts from longstanding policy requiring athletes to sit out a year after transferring without a change of address, though restrictions remain in place for additional transfers and midyear moves unless a hardship waiver applies.

Winners of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee's eighth annual Civics Essay Contest will be honored at a ceremony April 30 at 4:30 p.m. EDT at the Joel W. Solomon U.S. Courthouse in Chattanooga. According to Chattanoogan.com, high school division winners are Victoria Matthews (first place), Eshanth Eriki (second place) and Lucy Finch (third place), while middle school winners are Alex Bright (first place), Ethan McKenzie (second place) and Mia Litchford (third place). All winners will receive cash prizes. The contest, open to public and students in 17 East Tennessee counties and three counties in North Georgia, is co-sponsored by the court’s Chattanooga Civics and Outreach Subcommittee and the Chattanooga Chapter of the Federal Bar Association. This year’s prompt asked whether the Fourth Amendment protects a cell phone user’s location data, an issue expected to be addressed by the U.S. Supreme Court. For more information, visit the court's website. 

Detroit-based law firm Dickinson Wright will relocate its Nashville operations from downtown to 5 City on Nashville’s West Side at 5 City Blvd., the Nashville Post reports. The firm has signed a lease for space in the 15-story high-rise that anchors the district. A total of 26 professionals, including 16 attorneys, will work from the Nashville office. Dickinson Wright established its presence in Nashville in 2009 through a merger with Stewart, Estes & Donnell.

Several bills have passed both the state House of Representatives and Senate and are now awaiting Gov. Bill Lee’s decision to sign them into law. They include HB1704/SB1779, which would make it a state crime to remain in the U.S. at least 90 days after a final deportation order is entered. The Nashville Banner reports on that measure. HB1484/SB146 would require the Shelby County district attorney to notify officials if certain “serious” cases arising from the federal task force in Memphis result in pleas, lowered charges or dismissals. States Newsroom reports on that bill. Finally, SB1741/HB1476, known as the Charlie Kirk Act, would require educational institutions to adopt policies affirming they will protect free speech and will not deny speakers or organizations from holding events on campus for political reasons. WDEF has more on that one.

Gov. Bill Lee last week signed legislation to limit lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of new state laws. HB1971 repeals a provision the legislature passed eight years ago that allowed Tennesseans to challenge the constitutionality of new state laws before they suffer any harm. The Tennessean reports that Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti — whose office defends new laws in court — requested lawmakers repeal the measure and reinstate barriers removed in 2018. The change now requires challengers to prove actual damage had been done to have standing to sue. Read past coverage of the measure.

J.E. "Buddy" Stockwell will retire from his position as executive director of the Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program (TLAP) effective April 15. Appointed in 2020 by the Tennessee Supreme Court, Stockwell has worked to transform the program into the "sustainable, gold-standard program it is today" according to TLAP Commission Chair Judge Michael Spitzer. Over the years, TLAP has expanded from assistance with alcoholism and drug use to all other mental health issues such as depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar issues, burnout and compassion fatigue. “The profession with all its pressures and the speed of information these days, and just how tough it can be to practice law, it has ushered in a new era for LAPs. Substance use disorder cases are still significant, but TLAP is comprehensive now. We have a professional clinical staff that can help address any type of mental health issue,” Stockwell said. “It’s become very complex, but our program works really well, and we cover all of those bases.” Read more in this profile from the Administrative Office of the Courts. Stockwell has written "The Buddy System" column for the Tennessee Bar Journal since 2021. His final installment will be published in the July/August 2026 issue.