Strong demand across practice areas, higher billing rates and the expansion of non-equity partner tiers helped bolster law firm profits in 2024 according to the 2025 State of the Legal Market report from Thomson Reuters. The report found that law firms' average hourly rates shot up 6.5%, the biggest jump since the financial crisis nearly two decades ago. According to Law.com, the report characterized the increase as "defying gravity," The annual report also looks at significant shifts in law firm business models and the challenges firms will face in the coming year, including retaining talent and reacting to technological advancements that could impact legal services, client expectations and pricing models. Law firms this year will need to "navigate a complex landscape shaped by shifting demand and expense dynamics,” according to the study. Learn more in this news article or this press release.

On Jan. 1, a new rule laid out in the SECURE 2.0 Act regarding "super" catch-up contributions went into effect. The provision increases the contribution limits for some participants of 401(k), 403(b) and 457(b) retirement plans to $10,000 or 150% of the standard limit, whichever is greater. To be eligible, clients must be between the ages of 60 and 63 at the end of the year. USA Today has more.

Billionaire philanthropist Warren Buffett recently provided Forbes his advice for creating a successful estate plan. The short piece highlights common concerns including clarity with loved ones, avoiding disputes, honoring wishes and ensuring a positive legacy for clients. Read more here.

This year’s Estate Planning & Probate Forum will feature a presentation by law professors and founding co-directors, Vanderbilt AI Law Lab (VAILL) Caitlin Moon and Mark Williams. Moon and Williams will join Emerging Technology and Digital Initiatives Librarian Kyle Turner for a discussion on emerging issues with AI and its impact on estate planning. Other topics at the forum include community property trusts, a probate panel, ethics, legislative updates and much more. Section members receive a discounted rate to attend. Don’t miss this chance to meet with colleagues from across the state and hear from top estate planning experts. Register now.

Davidson County Chancellor Anne Martin heard arguments this week in a legal challenge to the $3.1 billion transit referendum approved by Nashville voters in November. The Committee to Stop an Unfair Tax claims that the inclusion of sidewalks and traffic signals in the plan exceeds the scope allowed under the state’s Improve Act and argues that voters were misled about the project's costs. Metro attorneys countered that the plaintiffs should have raised their concerns before the election, emphasizing that there have been no allegations of illegal voting or widespread confusion. Martin said a decision would be forthcoming, according to the Nashville Post.

Gov. Bill Lee told reporters yesterday that he is considering calling for a special legislative session to consider a statewide private school voucher program and storm relief for areas hard hit by the remnants of Hurricane Helene. Nashville Public Radio reports that Lee said he had not determined if or when the special session would take place, but indicated it would be sooner than later if held. Democratic lawmakers responded, criticizing the idea of combining disaster relief with the voucher program, the Nashville Banner reports. Also, during the press conference, Lee reiterated his commitment to help President-elect Donald Trump with planned deportations, including deploying the Tennessee National Guard if requested. Lee joined other governors in signing a letter to the effect in December, according to Axios Nashville. Tennessee’s 114th General Assembly is scheduled to convene next Tuesday.

The TBA Tort & Insurance Law Section will hold its 2025 annual forum on Feb. 20 via Zoom. The program will feature sessions on first party claims, health care liability and an ethics course dedicated to the fine art of thriving in your practice without being a jerk. Make plans now to join colleagues starting at 9 a.m. CST for this two-hour program.

The Tennessee Supreme Court has issued a public censure to Kentucky lawyer Darren Craig Lamb. A complaint was filed by an individual formerly in a romantic relationship with Lamb. Following the end of the relationship, the individual sought and was granted a temporary order of protection. The court found that Lamb violated the order by repeatedly contacting the individual, including posting notice of a suit for nonpayment of a personal loan on the individual’s front door. The suit was never filed but Lamb completed the section of the form normally filled out by the court clerk’s office to create the false impression that a suit was pending. Lamb was charged with harassment, stalking and contempt charges. He entered a no contest plea and received judicial diversion. The court determined that his actions violated Rules of Professional Conduct 4.1 and 8.4(b), (c), (d) and (g). The court conditioned the censure on compliance with a Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program (TLAP) monitoring agreement.

The Defendant, Bobby Joe Waddle, was convicted in the Washington County Criminal Court of unlawful possession of a firearm after having been convicted of a felony crime of violence and was sentenced as a Range III, career offender to thirty years in confinement. On appeal, the Defendant contends that the evidence is insufficient to support his conviction and that the trial court erred by refusing to bifurcate his trial. Based on our review, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

The Defendant, Rusty L. Patterson, was convicted in the Knox County Criminal Court of theft of property valued $2,500 or more, a Class D felony. After a sentencing hearing, the trial court sentenced him as a Range III, career offender to twelve years in confinement with sixty percent release eligibility. On appeal, the Defendant contends that the trial court committed plain error by refusing to instruct the jury on attempted theft, that the evidence is insufficient to show the value of the stolen property, and that the unavailability of the community corrections program in Knox County violated his constitutional rights at sentencing. Based upon the oral arguments, the record, and the parties’ briefs, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.