Join the TBA Young Lawyers Division (YLD) for an upcoming CLE on joining a nonprofit board set for Aug. 20 from 12-1 p.m. CDT. Nashville attorney Joycelyn Stevenson will moderate a panel with Nashville attorneys Sherie Edwards and Amy Bryant and Memphis attorney Sara Hall. Learn how serving on a nonprofit board can be a rewarding way for lawyers to give back to their communities while developing leadership skills, expanding professional networks and enhancing legal and business judgment. The program will provide practical guidance on how attorneys can identify and secure board opportunities, understand the roles and fiduciary duties of nonprofit directors, and maximize the professional and personal benefits of board service. The course also will examine common legal and ethical pitfalls — including conflicts of interest, governance challenges and liability risks — and offer strategies for serving effectively while protecting both the organization and yourself. For more information and to register visit the TBA website.

The petitioner, LaCarl Tigg, appeals from the Circuit Court of Rutherford County’s dismissal of his petition for post-conviction DNA Analysis and his pro se motion to vacate his guilty plea which the post-conviction court treated as a petition for post-conviction relief. Upon our review of the record and the parties’ briefs, we affirm the post-conviction court’s dismissal.

The defendant, Traci Marie House, pled guilty to attempted possession of a firearm after having been convicted of a prior violent felony, and the trial court imposed a sentence of twelve years’ incarceration in the Tennessee Department of Correction. On appeal, the defendant argues the trial court erred in denying her motion to reconsider her sentence. After reviewing the record and considering the applicable law, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Appellant appeals the trial court’s dismissal of her breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty claims. Appellee asks this Court to award frivolous appeal damages under Tennessee Code Annotated section 27-1-122. Discerning no error, we affirm the judgment of the trial court. We grant Appellee its request for frivolous appeal damages.

July 6, 2026 - July 10, 2026.

Sheriff's departments in Tennessee have formed at least 23 new partnerships with U.S. Immigration and Customs enforcement (ICE) since enactment of a new state law requiring county sheriffs to cooperate with ICE or forfeit state funding, the Tennessean reports. Another six city police departments reportedly have signed agreements as well. Collaborating with federal law enforcement through an ICE 287(g) partnership allows ICE to delegate some limited immigration enforcement to local law enforcement agencies. Historically, participation has been optional. Currently, 94 local law enforcement agencies in Tennessee have 287(g) agreements with ICE, most of which were created in the last 12 months. In May, Davidson County Sheriff issued a statement saying the new law pertains only to certain sheriffs and does not apply to Davidson County.

A Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) investigation is underway after a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent fatally shot Alfonso Ivy on July 8 while members of the Memphis Safe Task Force attempted to serve an arrest warrant at an extended-stay hotel in the 6500 block of Poplar Avenue in East Memphis, the Commercial Appeal reports. According to the U.S. Marshals Service and TBI, Ivy was wanted on felony drug charges in Shelby County and allegedly pointed a handgun at officers, prompting a DEA agent to open fire. Officers rendered first aid until emergency medical personnel arrived, but Ivy died at the scene. No officers were injured. According to News Channel 3, court records show Ivy has had more than 50 encounters with the criminal justice system dating back to 1997, including convictions for drug, weapons and assault offenses. He was released from state prison in 2025 after serving seven years. He has served 12 years in prison over multiple sentences.

Metro Nashville Council member Mike Cortese is running the most well-funded congressional challenge to U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais in more than a decade in Tennessee's newly redrawn 4th Congressional District, according to the Tennessean. Lawmakers redrew the district earlier this year. Republican DesJarlais, who has represented the district since 2011, is seeking another term. Democrat Cortese, who shifted his campaign from the 5th District after redistricting, has focused on affordability and representation. DesJarlais has been touting his congressional record and committee work. As of March 31, Cortese had outraised the incumbent, bringing in more than $534,000 compared with DesJarlais' nearly $381,000. Analysts continue to view the race as favoring the Republican incumbent though according to the paper.

The TBA will host its 2026 Elder Law Forum on July 17 at the Nashville School of Law, offering attorneys a full day of continuing legal education focused on issues affecting older adults and vulnerable populations. The program will feature sessions on conservatorships, fraud prevention, guardians ad litem, special needs trusts, ethics and related topics, with presentations from practitioners and professionals across the state. For more information, visit the TBA website.

Due to the early retirement of James B. “Jimmy” Dunn, district attorney general for the 4th Judicial District, the governor’s office is accepting applications to fill the position until the next biennial election in August 2028. Under the Tennessee Constitution, a district attorney general must have been a resident of the state for five years and of the judicial district for one year. The 4th Judicial District includes Cocke, Grainger, Jefferson and Sevier counties. Attorneys interested in being considered for the appointment should submit a resume and cover letter to Alexa Witcher, chief counsel to the governor. Materials should be emailed to her assistant Katelin.Brown@tn.gov no later than 5 p.m. CDT on July 24. View the notice of vacancy for more information. Dunn spent 20 years in office after being elected district attorney general in 2006 and was reelected in 2022, the Knoxville Daily Sun reports. He recently announced he will retire on Aug. 31.