The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently proposed a rule that would rescind the Biden administration's 2024 independent contractor rule and replace it with a framework modeled on the 2021 rule, re-centering the worker classification analysis on two core factors: the degree of control over work and the worker's opportunity for profit or loss. According to Bloomberg Law, unlike the 2024 rule's six-factor equal-weight analysis, the new proposal treats other considerations as secondary and emphasizes that actual working practices matter more than contractual language. Employers currently face a split landscape, as the DOL has already shifted its enforcement approach away from the 2024 rule, while private plaintiffs can still invoke it in court until it is formally rescinded. The proposal is not yet final — public comments are due by April 28 — and employers using contractor models are advised to review their classification practices, keeping in mind that stricter state laws will continue to apply regardless of the federal outcome.

Gibson County Safe Baby Court (SBC) held its first graduation ceremony on March 13, reuniting a mother with her four children. “If I didn't have Safe Baby Court, I wouldn't have my babies back now,” said Stacey, a SBC graduate. “Thanks to all the support from Safe Baby and Recovery, I have a new life today.” Gibson County Juvenile Court implemented the SBC in 2024, becoming the third county in West Tennessee to do so. “Safe Baby Court is not easy,” said Juvenile Court Judge Mark Johnson. “It is a long road for parents who have the willingness to make life better for their young children, but not always the ability to succeed without help. Stacey’s case is a perfect example of teamwork between two separate judges and courts.” Read more in a profile from the Administrative Office of the Courts.

A three-year legal battle over the new Memphis Art Museum was dismissed by Shelby County Chancellor Melanie Taylor Jefferson last week, with plaintiffs Friends for our Riverfront and heirs of the city's founders arguing the $180 million museum violated restrictions on how riverfront land should be used. The Daily Memphian reports that the lawsuit, filed in 2023, claimed the museum's construction conflicted with terms set by city founders in 1819 and 1820, which designated the land as a public promenade, and violated easement terms for a public Bluff Walk. The plaintiffs plan to appeal the ruling, while defendants — the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art and the City of Memphis — maintain the museum is consistent with the land's public purpose and that the current administration has the right to determine how the riverfront is used.

Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Sarah K. Campbell will serve as the keynote speaker for the University of Tennessee Winston College of Law's Spring 2026 commencement ceremony on May 14. Campbell joined the court in February 2022. Prior to her appointment, she served in the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office as associate solicitor general and special assistant to the attorney general. “We are honored to welcome Justice Campbell back to Rocky Top for this milestone event in our graduating students’ law school journey,” said Dean Lonnie T. Brown Jr. Campbell graduated from the University of Tennessee in 2004 and from Duke University School of Law in 2009. Read more in a press release from the law school.

The Tennessee Trial Court Vacancy Commission reports that it received two applications — from Aaron J. Chapman of Morristown and Mark S. Stapleton of Rogersville — to fill a vacancy in the 3rd Judicial District Circuit Court. Because it did not have three names to forward, under the law, Gov. Bill Lee may appoint any qualified individual to the position. The vacancy was created by the appointment of William E. Phillips II to the Tennessee Court of Appeals. The district covers Greene, Hamblen, Hancock and Hawkins counties. Read more from the commission.

The University of Tennessee Winston College of Law’s National Moot Court Team won first place at the Region VII Competition of the 76th annual National Moot Court Competition last fall at Loyola University New Orleans College of Law. The victory marked the team’s fourth regional championship in six years, and allowed it to advance to the national final rounds in New York City in January. Longtime coaches and professors emeriti John L. Sobieski Jr. and Don Leatherman guided the team to its win. “Their hard work, ability and poise under pressure were evident in every round. We couldn’t be prouder of their achievement,” Sobieski said in a press release from the school.

Metro Nashville is moving forward with plans to build a new jail complex on Harding Place to replace two existing facilities, one of which has been unusable for six years, contributing to persistent overcrowding, according to the Nashville Banner. The city issued a request for proposals from potential contractors Monday, setting the project budget at $410 million. The plan calls for demolishing the Metro Detention Facility and the Correctional Development Center for men and constructing a new facility on the same site to provide the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office about 1,000 additional jail beds. Sheriff Daron Hall told the Banner the capacity issues are not due to an unusually high number of inmates, but because of the number of "beds that are functional right now.” He added that city officials aim to complete the project within 36 months.

The 2026 TBA Leadership Law (TBALL) class met last week in Nashville for its “Issues in Policy & Politics” program. For the first time, the group joined other TBA members on Wednesday for the fourth annual Day on the Hill event — hearing from TBA’s lobbying team and meeting with elected officials. That night, class members attended the Big Shrimp legislative reception. On Thursday, the class heard from San Diego attorney Janice Brown, a favorite TBA speaker. She spoke on “Activators & Leadership.” A second session with TBA lobbyist Brad Lampley of Adams & Reese and Ross Smith of Bass Berry & Sims focused on “Lawyers as Lobbyists.” The day ended with lunch and class caucus, at which class member share reflections on the program. See a photo from Brown’s presentation.

The federal judiciary has approved a new office focused on improving the quality of representation of indigent criminal defendants at the U.S. Supreme Court, with the goal of creating a counterweight to the U.S. Solicitor General's Office, Reuters reports. The U.S. Judicial Conference recently approved the Supreme Court Advocacy Project and the creation of four full-time positions to support it. Its first director will be Ashley Robertson, a lawyer in the Solicitor General's Office. She is a former law clerk to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan. The project initially will be housed in the office of the federal public defender for the Eastern District of Virginia. The long-term plan is for the office to become an independent, standalone entity. The judiciary plans to consider funding for that in its 2028 budget, according to reports.

Nashville trial lawyers Joe Welborn, Charlie Malone and Jason Callen have launched WelbornMalone PLC, a boutique litigation firm that will focus on complex, high-stakes disputes for corporations, small businesses, high-net-worth families and individuals across a range of industries. The office is located at One Burton Hills Boulevard, Ste. 200E, Nashville, TN 37215 in the Green Hills area of the city. It can be reached at 615-455-0360 or online at www.welbornmalone.com. Welborn, originally from Memphis, has practiced law in Nashville for 35 years, previously with Bass, Berry & Sims; Walker, Tipps & Malone; Butler Snow; and K&L Gates. Malone, a Nashville native, has practiced law for 23 years, previously with Walker, Tipps & Malone; Butler Snow; and K&L Gates. Callen has practiced law for 22 years: four years with Kirkland & Ellis in Chicago and 18 years with the Nashville offices of Walker, Tipps & Malone; Butler Snow; and K&L Gates. Read more about the firm.