May is Mental Health Awareness Month, but for many young lawyers and law students, the reality is that time, access and even awareness of resources can feel limited. Not everyone has the flexibility to attend regular therapy sessions or take advantage of firm-sponsored programs. Support should meet you where you are, not add another obligation to an already full schedule.

There are resources available; sometimes it helps just to know where to start. For example, the Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program (TLAP) offers confidential assistance tailored to the legal community and can provide referrals to mental health professionals. Some employers provide Employee Assistance Programs or mental health coverage through insurance which can help reduce costs. For those who need more flexibility or like the convenience of virtual meetings, platforms like Betterhelp and Talkspace may offer accessible schedule options.

At the same time, those options are not always realistic. Time, flexibility and money are constraints in the is profession. When formal support is out of reach, informal networks can be just as meaningful. A mentor who understands the pressures of practice, a colleague who can relate, a friend who will listen or a faith community can all provide steady support without adding financial strain.

Small practice habits can also make a difference. Even brief moments to reset — whether that is a short walk, a quiet pause before the day begins or a quick check-in with someone you trust — can help you stay grounded. Pay attention to early signs of burnout such as changes in mood, sleep or focus and respond early when you can. Mental health support does not have to follow one model to be effective. Whether formal of informal, the goal is to find something sustainable that works within your time, your resources and your reality.

Carrington Owens, Petitioner, appeals from the denial of post-conviction relief from Petitioner’s convictions for four counts of rape of a child, twenty-three counts of especially aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor, and twelve counts of aggravated sexual battery of a child less than thirteen years of age and his effective thirty-seven-year sentence. On appeal, Petitioner contends that the post-conviction court erred by denying relief on his ineffective assistance of counsel claims. Discerning no error, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.

A Hancock County jury convicted the Defendant, Shoshanna Cabanting, of vandalism as a Class A misdemeanor. The trial court imposed a sentence of eleven months and twenty- nine days, with thirty days to be served in confinement and the remainder suspended to probation. In a prior appeal, this court reversed and remanded the case for a limited resentencing hearing. On remand, the trial court made additional findings and reimposed the same sentence. The Defendant again challenges the split-confinement portion of her sentence and requests that this court impose full probation instead. Upon our review, we respectfully affirm the judgment of the trial court.

This case involves a petition for rescission of a mortgage loan based on fraud in the inducement. The trial court granted summary judgment to the defendants on two separate grounds. The first basis for the trial court’s grant of summary judgment was that the plaintiff sought rescission of the loan transaction but admitted that he could not repay the amount he received in the transaction and also admitted that he could not restore the status quo if the note and deed of trust were rescinded. Because the plaintiff was unable to place the parties in their prior status, the trial court found that he was not entitled to rescission. Next, the trial court found that the plaintiff failed to identify any misrepresentation made by the original lender and only alleged misrepresentation by the mortgage broker, who was not a party to this lawsuit. The trial court found that the plaintiff failed to present any evidence or legal theory showing that the mortgage broker was acting as an agent of the original lender, so his statements were not attributable to the defendants. The plaintiff appeals. We affirm.

The appellees filed a petition in chancery court seeking to terminate a father’s parental rights. After a bench trial, the trial court granted the petition and entered an order terminating the father’s parental rights based on the grounds of (1) failure to manifest an ability and willingness to assume custody, (2) abandonment by failure to visit, and (3) abandonment by failure to support. The trial court also determined that termination of the father’s parental rights was in the child’s best interests. We affirm the trial court’s ruling as to the first ground, we vacate the trial court’s ruling as to the second and third grounds, and we affirm the trial court’s ruling as to best interests. Consequently, we affirm the trial court’s overall ruling that the father’s parental rights must be terminated.

The plaintiffs sued various state officials to enjoin the deployment of Tennessee National Guard troops in support of the President’s Memphis Safe Task Force. The trial court granted a temporary injunction, and the state defendants filed a Tenn. R. App. P. 9 motion seeking permission to appeal, which the Court of Appeals granted. Finding that the plaintiffs lack standing, we reverse the issuance of the injunction.

The annual Robert Ballow Excellence in Writing Awards were presented to Nashville School of Law (NSL) 4L students on March 25. Eight students were recognized for their performance in the Rigorous Writing Exercise (RWE) program. The RWE is a project all NSL students embark on as a requirement of graduation. Working with a volunteer mentor from the legal community, students research and write a 15-20 page paper on the topic of their choice. See the list of winners and read their work. The school also named NSL alumna Kate Nyquist as the 2025 Mentor of the Year. The honor is conferred in recognition of a mentor’s exceptional service to the program.

Knox County lawyer Robert Brian DeBusk received a public censure from the Tennessee Supreme Court on April 28. While working as an assistant district attorney, DeBusk discovered an email sent from a jailed defendant to his attorney. This intercepted email then became part of the basis for a motion to disqualify the district attorney’s office. DeBusk was subpoenaed to testify at a hearing on the motion. While in the hallway prior to testifying, DeBusk discussed the facts with an attorney not related to this matter, who then was called to testify. When asked about the facts, DeBusk stated “I don’t recall,” which was contrary to what he had discussed in the hallway. When further pressed on his recollection, DeBusk refused to answer by pleading the “Fifth.” Finally, DeBusk testified substantively about the facts of the matter. The court found that these actions violated Rules of Professional 8.4(c) and 8.4(d).

Madison County has received $10 million through the General Assembly's approved budget as an initial investment toward building a West Tennessee Regional Juvenile Justice Center that would serve all West Tennessee counties outside of Shelby County. The planned pre-adjudication facility aims to house and support justice-involved youth in a structured environment emphasizing dignity, early intervention and wraparound rehabilitation services. Local and state leaders celebrated the milestone while acknowledging that the $10 million is just a starting point. Full development will require additional state and regional funding to be secured. WBBJ has the story.

The U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals is seeking comments on the reappointment of Jimmy Croom, bankruptcy judge for the Western District of Tennessee, to a 14-year term that would begin on March 20, 2027. Members of the bar and the public are invited to submit comments to be considered during the reappointment process. All comments will be kept confidential and should be mailed to Circuit Executive Marc Theriault, 503 Potter Stewart U.S. Courthouse, 100 East Fifth St., Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 or be submitted via email. All comments must be received no later than June 11. Contact the Office of the Circuit Executive at 513-564-7200 for more information. Read the full announcement from the court.