New filing rules are in effect for the Tennessee Court of Workers' Compensation Claims. Attorneys now must file documents through TNComp, the court's new electronic filing system. Clerk of the Court Penny Shrum has written a blog post on "From the Bench" with answers to frequently asked questions about the new system, including formatting requirements and what to do if a BPR number is not recognized in the system. On April 1, the clerk’s office will begin returning documents that have not been properly filed electronically.

The U.S. Supreme Court on March 4 ruled unanimously that federal appeals courts must defer to immigration judges’ findings when evaluating asylum claims, applying the "substantial evidence" standard rather than conducting independent reviews. The case arose from an El Salvadoran family whose asylum application was denied, with courts upholding that denial as long as it was backed by reasonable evidence. Bloomberg Law reports that the ruling, written by Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, arrives as the Trump administration fires immigration judges and instructs replacements to grant asylum only rarely.

Sean R. Aiello, Middle Tennessee governor on the TBA Board of Governors and immediate past president of the TBA's Young Lawyers Division, has announced his reelection campaign for Williamson County Commission to serve District 11 during the 2026-2030 term. He currently serves as vice chair on the commission and recently introduced legislation forming a new County Task Force to study the needs of the county courthouse and explore potential expansion or relocation. Aiello is managing partner for Schell & Oglesby in Franklin. Election day for the county primary is May 5. More information about his campaign can be found at www.seanraiello.com.

Rhodes College in Memphis is hosting the 2026 American Mock Trial Association (AMTA) qualifying tournament this weekend and still needs volunteers to serve as judges for the 4 p.m. CDT round on Friday. Other rounds will take place on Saturday and Sunday. The AMTA Opening Round Championship Series is the last stop before the national championship. The top six teams from this weekend’s event will advance to nationals. Sign up to help or contact Rhodes Mock Trial Coach Veda Krumpe at krumpev@rhodes.edu with any questions.

After a lengthy debate, the Tennessee House Education Committee advanced a bill that would double the number of private school voucher recipients for the 2026-2027 academic year, the Nashville Banner reports. Though five Republicans on the committee voted against it, HB2532/SB2247 passed by a vote of 11-9. Bills that would have set forth various reporting requirements for the voucher program failed in both the subcommittee and committee. The Nashville Scene has more on those efforts. The voucher expansion bill now goes to the House Finance, Ways and Means Subcommittee. The Senate version of the bill cleared the that body’s Education Committee on March 11 and is now at the Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee.

The TBA International Law Section's annual forum will provide an overview of the trade and investment landscape as it concerns Tennessee in 2026 and beyond. Programming will focus on Tennessee's foreign direct investment, global health perspectives and partnerships, international financing, global sales and supply chains, and more. Participants will have the opportunity for direct interactive discussions with speakers, and the chance to network, learn about best practices and chart a path to increase capacity for internationalization. Make plans now to join colleagues on May 29 in the TBA's newly renovated CLE classroom. Get more information and register here.

This appeal concerns the trial court’s award of attorney’s fees in a conservatorship action. Discerning no reversible error, we affirm as modified.

Following lengthy proceedings arising out of a delinquent tax sale of real property and attempted redemptions by two parties, the chancery court concluded that the taxpayer properly redeemed her property. The court then awarded the tax sale purchaser interest on the amount he had tendered for the sale, to be paid in part by the redeeming taxpayer and in part by another party that had unsuccessfully attempted redemption. The purchaser appeals, arguing that the court should have awarded him greater interest. The party that unsuccessfully attempted redemption argues that the trial court improperly disbursed to the purchaser funds beyond those to which he was entitled. We affirm.

Just in time for Women’s History Month, the TBA is offering a replay of its popular Convention program featuring four trailblazing women. Tune in on March 27 at noon CDT to hear retired U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Martha Craig "Cissy" Daughtrey, Judge Aleta Trauger with the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, and Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Camille McMullen as they reflect on their experiences breaking barriers and shaping the judiciary. Nashville lawyer Margaret Behm with Dodson Parker Behm & Capparella moderates the discussion. Can’t make it on the 27th? We have you covered. The program also is available on demand. Register here.

Vanderbilt University Law School has received a $10 million commitment to fund, among other priorities, its First Amendment Clinic, the Nashville Post reports. The gift will also go toward the law school’s “Respectfully Dissent” debate series, merit- and need-based scholarship aid, child-care funding for student-parents, services for student-veterans and an ongoing building renovation. According to a release from the law school, Vanderbilt law graduates Clay Travis (2004) and Lara Travis (2023) provided the gift. Travis is the founder of Outkick, a college football news site, and is known nationally for his writing and media commentary related to sports and politics. He has undertaken work with both Fox Sports and CBS Sports. “Lara and Clay have given the law school a powerful opportunity to deliver on our educational promise in several important ways,” said Dean Chris Guthrie. “I am beyond grateful for their generosity, vision and commitment to the Law School.”