The family of an inmate who died at the Shelby County Jail in 2025 has filed a federal lawsuit alleging negligence and inadequate medical care, the Daily Memphian reports. Courtney Berry died March 30, 2025, after he was found unresponsive in a jail bathroom, more than a month after being booked for an alleged violation of a suspended sentence. An autopsy found he died from heart complications. The suit alleges that Berry had complained of chest pain and made multiple requests for medical assistance that were ignored or inadequately addressed. The complaint further claims his death reflects a broader pattern of neglect of inmates’ medical needs at the facility. Filed March 17, the suit names Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner Jr., the jail’s medical provider WellPath, and Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris as defendants. The suit seeks a jury trial and unspecified damages. Neither the sheriff’s office nor Harris commented on the allegations.

A federal judge has dismissed most claims in a class action lawsuit involving families who lost loved ones in the 2016 Gatlinburg wildfires, narrowing the case against the National Park Service, Knox News reports. U.S. District Judge Ronnie Greer tossed claims that park officials failed to follow fire protocol. In his opinion yesterday, Greer said park officials made a judgment call and they did enough in their firefighting efforts, though they made errors in their assessment of the fire. The final focus of the lawsuit will center on claims that the park's command structure, namely Fire Management Officer Greg Salansky, was wearing too many hats to properly handle the constantly changing conditions of the fire. Those claims from victims' families and insurance companies will continue through the federal courts.

A lawsuit seeking to remove Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert from office will proceed even as her term is set to end in September. The Tennessee Supreme Court denied Halbert’s appeal of a lower court decision allowing the ouster case to move forward and found that the county attorney has the authority to bring the lawsuit, according to Action News 5. Halbert has faced repeated scrutiny in recent years, including calls for her removal over audit findings and concerns about management of the clerk’s office.

The Tennessee Bar Association’s online renewal for 2026-2027 is now open! Renew your membership to continue your access to TBA Today, the Tennessee Bar Journal, three free hours of CLE, resources for starting and building a new firm, and free legal research tool, as well as savings on a range of products and services. Be sure to check out TBA's new pro bono portal, solo health insurance plan and expanded discounts on travel. Attorneys not participating in the TBA's firm billing program can log in and renew through their MyTBA dashboard. The TBA membership team will be working with firm administrators for those participating in firm billing so check with your firm administrator if you have questions about that process.

The federal judiciary has requested $9.7 billion in funding for fiscal year 2027, including $920.9 million for courthouse security — a 3.2% increase driven by a 57% surge in serious security incidents against judges last year — and ongoing problems with outdated equipment. The budget also seeks $10 million for a new case management system and nearly $50 million for cybersecurity upgrades following multiple cyberattacks, including a foreign hack targeting sealed court documents. Additionally, the judiciary is requesting $1.8 billion for federal public defenders to address rising caseloads, particularly in immigration and death penalty cases, after a 16-month hiring freeze and a recent shortage of funds to reimburse private attorneys assisting indigent defendants. Bloomberg Law has the story.

Retired Circuit Court Judge Marie Williams was honored at a portrait unveiling ceremony in Chattanooga's Hamilton County Circuit Court last week. The event celebrated her nearly three decades as the first woman to serve as a state court judge in the county. Williams attended the University of Tennessee Winston College of Law and became one of very few female civil litigators in the city before being appointed to the bench in 1995. She subsequently was reelected five times without opposition. Colleagues praised her leadership and practical judgment, with one judge highlighting her steady guidance in keeping courts accessible during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her portrait, commissioned by the Chattanooga Bar Association and painted by artist Sergei Chernikov, now hangs in Division III of the Historic Hamilton County Courthouse. Read more from Chattanoogan.com. See photos from the event.

Memphis Mayor Paul Young on Monday announced that Memphis Police Department (MPD) officers involved in an alleged  confrontation with protesters at Saturday's "No Kings" rally have been placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation. The officers are under scrutiny for allegedly deploying pepper spray on march marshals and making several arrests. A coalition of 25 community organizations say the officers acted aggressively against a peaceful crowd and have called on leaders to release the names of those involved. The Daily Memphian and the Commercial Appeal report on the developments.

A three-judge panel from the Court of Criminal Appeals heard oral arguments last week at the University of Tennessee Winston College of Law. Judges Timothy L. Easter, J. Ross Dyer and Tom Greenholtz, a Winston Law graduate, sat for the court and heard cases including State v. Price, State v. James, State v. Simmons and State v. Lacey. Proceedings can be replayed on the court's YouTube channel. “The law students can actually see a real-life case being argued with real-life names, real-life people, real-life lawyers. We just think it gives flesh and bones to an otherwise stale opinion they might read,” said Easter. “For us, we get to see the future of the bar and these students and it’s a shot in the arm for us to do that.” Read more in a press release from the Administrative Office of the Courts.

Changes at the Shelby County Youth Justice and Education Center — following its transfer from the sheriff’s office to the Division of Corrections in October 2025 — are aimed at improving conditions for juveniles in custody, the Daily Memphian reports. Officials said reforms include replacing traditional prison-style uniforms with khaki clothing to promote a more normalized environment, and providing full-size hygiene items such as toothbrushes, deodorant and soap. Additional changes include adjustments to facility policies intended to reduce contraband risks while addressing morale and behavioral outcomes. Judge Tarik Sugarmon said the transition has improved logistics and daily operations for juveniles appearing in court, while corrections officials emphasize that the updated approach incorporates mental health considerations.

Make plans now to join colleagues from across the state at the TBA’s 2026 Annual Convention, set for June 10-13, in downtown Knoxville. Annual favorites such as the Public Service Breakfast, Lawyers Luncheon, compelling CLE and swearing in of TBA’s new president will return, as will the Wednesday night welcome reception and a Thursday evening reception at Knoxville’s minor league ballpark, home of the Smokies. Again this year, the Tennessee Lawyers' Association for Women (TLAW) and Tennessee Alliance for Black Lawyers (TABL) will hold meetings and events in conjunction with the convention. This year’s convention also will include TBA’s first-ever Tech Showcase and several lunch and learn opportunities with tech vendors on Thursday. The four-day event will take place at the Crowne Plaza Knoxville. Don’t miss this annual gathering of Tennessee lawyers! Access registration, hotel reservation information and more on the event website. Day passes for the Tech Showcase on June 11 also are available for those who unable to attend the full convention. Learn more about that option.