Three plaintiffs who live in Tennessee have filed a class action lawsuit in the Northern District of California against Elon Musk’s xAI. The three minors allege that a perpetrator — who has already been arrested — used Grok, the AI assistant on X, to create fake sexually explicit images and videos based on their photographs and then distributed the images online. The suit argues that Musk and xAI designed “Spicy Mode” to assume “good intent” in users who referenced “teenage” or “girl” in their prompts. According to the Center for Countering Digital Hate, during an 11-day period between December 2025 and January 2026, Grok created three million sex-related images, including approximately 23,000 of children. The Nashville Banner has more on the case in a recent newsletter.

If you are a Tennessee-licensed attorney running for office this year, please let TBA know so we can share your news. While higher profile races get news coverage that we cover, many races will not make it into press reports. TBA Today wants to highlight lawyers making a difference in their communities through public service. To get your race covered, send an announcement of your candidacy and a head shot to tbatoday@tnbar.org. And if you are a candidate this cycle, TBA has resources to help you run an ethical campaign. Check out sessions from The Ethical Campaign CLE now available on demand as a 1-Click package or as individual programs.

TBA's Elder Law Section and Criminal Justice Section will present a free webinar on Friday on how to identify medically-impaired older drivers. The virtual session will feature occupational therapist Cody Stoval, one of eight certified driving rehabilitation specialists in Tennessee, who will offer insight and describe the process of reporting impaired drivers to the Tennessee Department of Driver Improvement. There is still time to register for this opportunity to learn how common diagnoses could present in your practice, and how community resources can assist if driving retirement is necessary. Register now.

On March 17, the Tennessee Supreme Court directed Georgia lawyer Meredith Gardial to complete outstanding obligations with the Tennessee Commission on Continuing Legal Education by May 1 or it would dismiss her petition for reinstatement. Gardial filed the petition on Feb. 23.

The University of Tennessee Winston College of Law will hold its annual Orr Symposium on April 16 from noon to 4:45 p.m. EDT. The event, sponsored by the law school’s legal clinic and Tennessee Law Review as well as the Tennessee Supreme Court Access to Justice Commission, will focus on “Closing the Rural Justice Gap: Innovation and Regulatory Reform.” Speakers will address the shortage of legal services in rural communities and examine solutions to expand legal help in underserved areas. The free program will be presented in person and virtually. Register here. Contact Joy Radice at legalclinic@utk.edu with any questions.

U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts recently spoke at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy in Houston. His comments included expressing concern about how artificial intelligence (AI) might impact the legal profession, especially for new lawyers, as well as the potential for AI to be involved in court decisions or to pressure judges. On another issue, Roberts rejected the idea that Supreme Court justices are solely carrying out the agendas of those who appointed them. “You’ve got eight other views to factor in …” he said. Finally, Roberts addressed criticism of judges, saying that while opinions by judges are fair game for criticism, personal attacks cross the line. “Personally directed hostility is dangerous, and it’s got to stop,” he said according to Bloomberg Law. The Houston Business Journal has more on the appearance.

The Tennessee Attorney General’s (AG) Office is warning consumers about scam websites posing as legitimate classic car and heavy equipment dealerships. These scams often involve sophisticated websites advertising vehicles or heavy machinery at extremely low prices. Fraudsters may go to great lengths to appear legitimate — answering phone calls, sending videos and even providing fake business licenses. But consumers who send money will ultimately lose it because the vehicles or equipment do not exist. In a news release, AG Jonathan Skrmetti says consumers should be cautious when shopping online and recommends inspecting items in person and taking precautions to verify the seller’s legitimacy before purchasing anything.

A divided Rutherford County Library System Board voted to move 132 books to adult sections in an effort members said is meant to protect children from gender confusion and violence. The move comes after a review of nearly 3,000 titles. The board defended its decision saying parents still can allow their children to have access to the books. Prior to the meeting, the national Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) in Philadelphia wrote to members opposing any book bans. "Neither state nor federal law requires such removal, and removing books based on disagreement with their message would violate the First Amendment," the letter from FIRE said. The Tennessean has more on the story.

Tennessee Republicans have asked election officials to exclude 40 candidates from the primary ballot in August, according to the Nashville Banner. The list of names includes former legislative aide Cade Cothren, who is seeking to challenge Rep. Kip Capley, R-Summertown. Cothren ran afoul of the party by donating to Democratic Reps. Justin Jones of Nashville and Justin J. Pearson of Memphis. Cothren reportedly donated $100 to each representative after they were ousted from the House in 2023 for their involvement in gun safety protests. Cothren was convicted, and then pardoned, in a public corruption trial alongside former House Speaker Glen Casada.

President Donald Trump will be in Memphis on Monday to "highlight the incredible achievements of the Memphis Safe Task Force," according to a White House spokesperson. The Commercial Appeal reports that the visit comes about six months after the task force began working in Memphis. Last November, U.S. Attorney Pam Bondi, U.S. Marshals Service Director Gadyaces Serralta, U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner, Gov. Bill Lee and U.S. Sens. Bill Hagerty and Marsha Blackburn were in the city to tout the work of the task force, which is made up of Tennessee National Guard and a dozen federal agencies.