An inmate at Turney Center Industrial Complex (“TCIX”) was convicted of introducing drugs into the complex by the prison’s disciplinary board. After failed administrative appeals, the inmate filed a petition for a writ of certiorari in the Chancery Court for Hickman County. The inmate alleged that the TCIX Disciplinary Board and TCIX staff violated multiple disciplinary policies and that there was no material evidence to support his conviction. The trial court denied his petition. This appeal followed. Discerning no reversible error, we affirm.

September 8, 2025 - September 12, 2025.

If you missed the webcast the International Law Section produced over the summer, it is now available on demand. This session provides an overview on the current but shifting tariffs and customs trends within the United States. The panelists discuss the impact of the disruption on the current trade market and its goods, as well as give insight to attorneys into what to expect and how to navigate the ever-changing market and ensure customs compliance. The panel includes Terry Olsen, chair of the TBA International Law Section, George Phillips of Phillips Ralston, and Lee Broyles and Steve Smith of Steam Logistics.

TBA's International Law Section Executive Council is beginning to plan an in-person CLE program to be held in spring 2026 in Nashville, and they want your input! This program will be produced in conjunction with the Nashville Chamber of Commerce's International Council. The planning committee wants to make the event as accessible as possible, so they are seeking comments about both content and scheduling. If you would be interested in attending this program, please complete this survey to provide your feedback, and be on the lookout for more information to be announced at a later date!

Tennessee lawyers gathered Friday at Topgolf Nashville for the TBA’s 2025 Estate Planning Tee-Off, featuring three hours of CLE programming focused on new attorneys interested in estate planning and lawyers looking to expand their practice. The day gave attendees the opportunity to build their practice knowledge while enjoying a round of Topgolf. Speakers included Robert Malin of Pinnacle Financial Partners; Grayson Cannon of Gullett, Sanford, Robinson & Martin PLLC; Branch Howard of Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.; and Christopher Kelly of Argent Trust Company. They addressed topics such as estate, gift and fiduciary income tax planning. Thank you to our sponsors Pinnacle Financial Partners, Diversified Trust, Southeastern Trust Company, Argent Trust and Guardian Trust. See photos from the event.

The TBA’s General, Solo & Small Firm Section will host networking events in Johnson City and Nashville next month. The first will be held Oct. 2 from 4:30–6:30 p.m. EDT at Wellington’s in Johnson City, followed by a gathering Oct. 8 from 5–7 p.m. CDT at Monday Night Brewing in Nashville. Section members, as well as any TBA member interested in learning more about the section, are invited to attend. Register for the Johnson City event or the Nashville event to help TBA plan for the gatherings. Thanks to Crystal Cole with CRC Legal Group for sponsoring the Nashville event.

A new public safety dashboard launched by the Nashville Police and Public Safety Alliance allows residents to track crime statistics citywide and by neighborhood. The tool, developed in partnership with the Sycamore Institute, shows violent crime and homicides have declined in 2025 compared to last year, with 5,023 incidents reported through August versus 8,468 in all of 2024, Axios Nashville reports. Alliance CEO Pat Shea said the goal is to make data more accessible and help residents gain a clearer picture of safety trends in their communities.

Knox County Commissioner Kim Frazier has announced her candidacy to replace term-limited county Mayor Glenn Jacobs in 2026, Knox News reports. She joins fellow Republican contenders Commissioner Larsen Jay, who entered the race in January 2024, and school board member Betsy Henderson, who announced in March. “My decision to pursue the immense privilege of being the next Knox County mayor isn’t about anyone but the people who make this county great,” Frazier told Knox News. “I feel the responsibility to give them a leader who will always put their community first.” The Republican primary is set for May 5, 2026, with the general election scheduled for Aug. 6, 2026.

The University of Tennessee (UT) System suspended and is pursuing the firing of an assistant professor at the Knoxville campus who criticized conservative activist Charlie Kirk on social media after Kirk was shot to death last week. The assistant anthropology professor posted the comment in response to a post about Kirk's killing saying, “the world is better off without him in it," Knox News reports. UT campus leaders suspended Tamar Shirinian today and initiated termination proceedings. Separately, a Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) assistant dean of students also has been fired after commenting on Kirk's death on social media. According to The Tennessean, a university spokesperson confirmed that Laura Sosh-Lightsy was fired for “inappropriate and callous” comments.

The Tennessee Supreme Court on Friday declined to review the city of Memphis’ appeal in its lawsuit with the Memphis Police Association while the city's appeal is pending with the Tennessee Court of Appeals, the Daily Memphian reports. The ruling means the court’s stay from August — which had allowed the city to avoid demoting second lieutenants — will expire. The dispute centers on the city’s creation of a second lieutenant rank without the union’s consent. In March, Shelby County Circuit Judge Damita Dandridge upheld an arbitrator’s finding that action violated the city's contract with the association. After Dandridge declined to stay her ruling, the city appealed to both the Tennessee Court of Appeals and the state Supreme Court. Dandridge has since recused herself from the case. The police association previously moved for the city to be held in contempt of court for failing to demote the second lieutenants, though that motion had been on hold pending the high court’s decision.