Happy 250th birthday America! The TBA will be closed Friday, July 3, in observance of Independence Day on Saturday. The office will reopen Monday at 8 a.m. CDT. As always, the TBA.org website has continuing legal education options and other information available 24/7. Reach out to staff directly using contact information available on our online staff directory.

A federal judge has ordered Tennessee to halt its takeover of Memphis-Shelby County Schools. The Daily Memphian reports that U.S. District Court Judge Waverly D. Crenshaw Jr. issued the order yesterday in response to a motion for a temporary restraining order filed by attorneys for the Memphis schools and Shelby County. Crenshaw also directed attorneys in the case to present by Monday three proposed dates for a hearing in the case. Memphis officials filed suit against the takeover in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee on June 18, hours after the first meeting of the new appointed oversight board. They later expanded the suit to include individual members of the oversight board.

A Nashville judge has extended an order that blocks Tennessee health officials from reporting 400 immigrant children with disabilities and chronic illnesses, enrolled in a safety-net health program, to a state immigration enforcement office. According to News Channel 5, Chancellor Patricia Head Moskal postponed a planned hearing set for July 2. She instead set a July 10 deadline for attorneys to come to an agreement on a more long-term injunction, according to the Tennessee Lookout.

The U.S. legal sector added 5,100 jobs in June, pushing legal employment to an all-time high for the third straight month, according to figures released Thursday by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. The total number of jobs in the legal sector, including lawyers, paralegals, judges and legal assistants, hit 1,243,500 in June, the preliminary data show — up 0.41% from 1,238,400 in May. That represents an 8.4% gain from five years ago, offering more evidence that legal AI tools have yet to cut into staffing, according to Reuters.

Braden H. Boucek was formally invested as the U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee during a ceremony on June 26. Chief Judge William L. Campbell Jr. administered the oath of office while U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Judge Whitney Hermandorfer presided over the ceremony. Hermandorfer had administered Boucek's initial oath of office in December 2025. U.S. Republican Sens. Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty were on hand to deliver remarks recognizing Boucek's unanimous Senate confirmation and his record of public service. Boucek previously served an assistant U.S. attorney in Nashville and Memphis, an assistant attorney general for the state and an assistant district attorney. He most recently was vice president of litigation at the Southeastern Legal Foundation. Read more about the ceremony in a release from the U.S. attorney’s office.

U.S. District Judge Eli Richardson has dismissed a class-action lawsuit challenging Section 1 of HB1704, which makes it a Class A misdemeanor for noncitizens to remain in Tennessee 90 days after a final removal order. Richardson dismissed the case without prejudice for lack of subject-matter jurisdiction, ruling that the plaintiffs did not have legal standing because they could not demonstrate that their removal orders were “valid” and “outstanding” as required by the law. The law went into effect July 1, according to the Tennessee Lookout.

After 12 consecutive victories on the popular television quiz show Jeopardy!, Memphis lawyer Adam Remsen missed a question in the final round of his 13th game on June 30. He lost to California research attorney Richard Nguyen, according to the Commercial Appeal. Remsen is a lawyer with Regional One Health and co-founder of the local Quark Theatre company. He is now the winning-est player ever from Tennessee and tied for 17th place on the list of all-time champions. He will return for the show’s annual "Tournament of Champions” next year. Asked about the experience, Remsen tells the Daily Memphian: “I felt slightly disappointed, of course, but also a lot of relief.” He says he is ready to get back to regular life and his duties as an attorney.

The TBA on June 30 filed comments on several proposed changes to Tennessee Supreme Court rules. The first comment expresses support for changes to Rules 41 and 42, which govern the Tennessee Language Access Program and Court Interpreter Program. The TBA said the changes are a “meaningful step toward ensuring that individuals with limited English proficiency receive qualified interpreter services in Tennessee courts.” The second comment expresses support for changes to Rule 50A, which governs the Pro Bono Emeritus Attorney Program. The TBA said that the revisions will bring needed clarity to eligibility requirements, the application process, and the obligations of both emeritus attorneys and sponsoring organizations. Changes to all three rules were proposed by the Tennessee Supreme Court Access to Justice Commission and published for comment by the court on May 1.

A group of West Nashville residents has filed a lawsuit in Davidson County Chancery Court seeking to halt construction of a new parking pavilion at Cheekwood Estate & Gardens, arguing the project violates Metro zoning regulations and would significantly increase traffic on surrounding neighborhood streets. The Nashville Banner reports that the complaint alleges Cheekwood has exceeded the limits of its special zoning exception for years and the expanded parking should not move forward without improved access from Highway 100. The plaintiffs are seeking a stop-work order and other restrictions on construction and visitor capacity while the case proceeds. Cheekwood disputes the claims, saying the project is required under an agreement with Metro to relocate parking onto its property. The estate has launched a public "Save Cheekwood" campaign in response to the lawsuit.

Nashville Metro Council has voted to formalize a partnership with the Eviction Right to Counsel (ERTC) program announced last month as part of Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s Unified Housing Strategy, WSMV reports. In Nashville’s 2027 fiscal year budget, ERTC secured $4.5 million, which is nearly double its 2026 allocation of $2.4 million. The announcement comes after the program underwent an independent evaluation of its 2025 achievements by an advisory and consulting firm. The firm's report found that ERTC attorneys assisted 1,069 households, including 1,032 children in 2025. The report also found that ERTC clients achieved their goals in 87% of cases and 97% of clients receiving extended services avoided displacement. Those eligible for the program can visit las.org or call 1-800-238-1443 for more information.