Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti announced Tuesday that the state has joined 26 others in urging the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn laws in Washington and California that ban the possession of high-capacity magazines. The states argue the bans on so-called "plus-ten magazines" violate the Second Amendment. Briefs were filed for Gator’s Custom Guns v. Washington and Duncan v. Bonta. The first case was decided by the Washington Supreme Court, while the second was decided by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. The coalition contends the rulings ignore U.S. Supreme Court precedent and reflect a trend of lower courts eroding constitutional protections. “Courts should not strip away their fundamental rights by pretending these necessary components are not protected by the Second Amendment. Our office is proud to partner with our sister states in defending the Constitution,” Skrmetti said in a press release.

Attorney Lorenzo A. Ramunno, a probate and estate planning lawyer admitted to practice in Florida, New York and Tennessee, died Aug. 30, according to the Ramunno Law Firm. Born in Buffalo, New York, Ramunno was the son of a judge and city councilman who had an early influence on a legal career marked by integrity and service. He earned his law degree from Nova University Law School and since 2004 had served as a Florida circuit court mediator. His practice areas included probate, estate planning, wills, trusts, small business corporations, real estate, trust administration and general law.

The TBA will host a Court of Appeals Boot Camp on Oct. 8 in Nashville, offering lawyers the opportunity to observe oral arguments in real cases and hear analysis from participating attorneys on preparation and advocacy strategies. The program, designed to strengthen skills in both written and oral appellate advocacy, also will feature a networking lunch for participants. Speakers include Tennessee Court of Appeals Judges Andy Bennett, Frank Clement Jr., Neal McBrayer and Jeffrey Usman; Robert Parsley with Bradley Arant Boult Cummings in Chattanooga; and Jacob Vanzin with Dodson Parker Behm & Capparella in Nashville. The program will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. CDT at the Tennessee Court of Appeals. For more information and to register, visit the TBA website.

Gov. Bill Lee has appointed Judge Jim Todd to the 20th Judicial District Criminal Court, covering Davidson County. Todd currently serves as a judge in the Davidson County General Sessions Court. He will fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Cheryl Blackburn. Todd earned his bachelor’s degree at Vanderbilt University and law degree at the University of Memphis. “I am proud to announce the appointment of Judge Todd to the 20th Judicial District Criminal Court. Jim brings significant experience to the bench, and I appreciate his leadership and willingness to serve Tennesseans with integrity,” Lee said according to the Nashville Post.

The TBA has announced that staff member Chelsea Bennett has been promoted to director of access to justice (ATJ) and strategic initiatives. Bennett has been a senior education and professional development coordinator on the CLE team since 2018. TBA Assistant Executive Director Lanny Brown said of the move, “I’m thrilled that Chelsea has accepted this role. With nearly a decade of service at TBA, her experience, creativity and dedication make her an excellent fit to lead this important work.” Bennett will move into her new role working alongside current ATJ Director Liz Slagle Todaro as Todaro transitions out of the role she has held for the last 13 years. Of her replacement, Todaro said, “Chelsea is precisely the bar professional we need at exactly the right time, as TBA advances critical ATJ initiatives and strengthens community partnerships. Her leadership and skills will help guide us through this challenging and exciting era, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to support her and TBA during this transition.” Bennett received her bachelor’s degree in sociology from The Ohio State University and her master’s degree in teaching from Belmont University.

TBA's Administrative Law Section is hosting its annual forum virtually on Dec. 11 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CST. This year's program includes a discussion about warrantless searches by administrative agents, an ethics update and more. Register now!

U.S. District Judge John Fowlkes has sentenced Lisa Findley, the Missouri woman accused of trying to auction off Elvis Presley's Graceland mansion, to 57 months in prison, with three years supervised release. Findley was indicted last year on charges of mail fraud and identity theft, but the judge dismissed the identity theft charges as part of a plea deal with prosecutors. The Daily Memphian has the story.

The Tennessee Supreme Court will hear oral arguments for its October docket on Oct. 1 at the Tennessee Supreme Court Building, 401 7th Ave N, Nashville 37219, which will be livestreamed to the TNCourts YouTube page. At 9 a.m. CDT, the court will hear State v. Torrian Seantel Bishop, State v. William Tony Burrell and Cinda Haddon v. Ladarius Vanlier et al. At 1 p.m. the court will hear SH Nashville LLC et al. v. FWREF Nashville Airport LLC. Additionally, State v. Jeffrey Tate and Steven J. Ogle will be heard on briefs.

Question 1: Pursuant to Article II, Section 28, of the Tennessee Constitution, which states that residential property is to be assessed at 25% of its value, “provided that residential property containing two (2) or more rental units is hereby defined as industrial and commercial property,” what is the appropriate tax classification for a single-family, stand-alone property that is being rented for periods longer than thirty (30) days?

Opinion 1: A single-family, stand-alone property that is being rented for periods longer than thirty days generally will be classified as residential, subject to the caveats discussed below.

Question 2: Pursuant to Article II, Section 28, what is the appropriate tax classification for a duplex where one half is rented and the other half is occupied by the owner?

Opinion 2: A duplex where one half is rented and the other half is owner-occupied generally will be classified as residential, subject to the caveats discussed below.

Question 1: In light of 2025 Tenn. Pub. Acts, ch. 491, may a qualified electronic monitoring provider be an owner, operator, or employee of a professional bondsman, as defined in Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-11-301, during the period July 1, 2025, to January 1, 2026?

Opinion 1: No.

Question 2: May a qualified electronic monitoring provider be an owner, operator, or employee of a professional bondsman, as defined in Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-11-301, on or after January 1, 2026, if the “grandfathering” carveout clause in 2025 Tenn. Pub. Acts, ch. 491, §11 applies to that provider?

Opinion 2: Likely so.