In this post-divorce action, the trial court partially granted the husband’s petition to modify or terminate spousal support, reducing the husband’s monthly alimony in futuro obligation to the wife from $1,750.00 to $1,500.00 upon finding that the husband’s retirement constituted a substantial and material change in circumstance warranting the reduction. The husband has appealed, arguing that the court erred by declining to terminate or further reduce his support obligation. Discerning no reversible error, we affirm.

This week's installment of TBA's Indigent Representation Primer is now available. The new post provides information about counsel appointed for minors facing criminal charges. In Tennessee, juveniles charged with delinquency are guaranteed a right to counsel, and if they cannot afford to hire an attorney, the court will appoint a public defender or private attorney. Tennessee law mandates that juveniles must be provided with counsel in cases where the child faces the possibility of incarceration or other serious consequences. Juvenile delinquency cases present a unique set of challenges in the legal system and the role of appointed counsel is critical to ensuring fair treatment for youth in the justice system. Attorneys appointed to represent a juvenile charged with a crime in Tennessee play an essential role in providing legal defense, ensuring the juvenile’s rights are protected, advocating for rehabilitation and working toward a favorable outcome for the child. This is the sixth installment in the series. Read past primer posts.

The Washington County Long Term Recovery Group — a community-led group working to assist those impacted by Hurricane Helene — is putting together an advocacy committee of volunteer attorneys to be a resource to case managers working with affected individuals. As case managers identify legal issues, they will refer those to the advocacy committee. Practioners in a range of fields are invited to participate. For more information or to join the effort contact Melissa Reading, 423-794-4009. The Washington County Bar Association announced the new group in an email today.

The Memphis Bar Association recently held its annual meeting. Lauran Stimac with Glassman, Wyatt, Tuttle and Cox took over as president of the association from Adam Johnson with Nahon, Saharovich & Trotz. Seven new board members also were announced. In addition, five individuals were recognized with the association’s annual awards. Walter Bailey received the Judge Jerome Turner Lawyer’s Lawyer Award, which recognizes a Memphis attorney who has practiced law for more than 15 years and embodies professionalism, civility and courtesy; Lee Whitwell received the Sam A. Myar Jr. Memorial Award, which honors an attorney under 40 years old who has shown dedication and commitment to their practice and the legal community; Haavi Morreim received the W.J. Michael Cody Access to Justice Award; and Justin Joy and Memphis City Councilwoman Janika White received President’s Awards. Read more about Stimac or see a recap of the award recipients in the MBA Facebook post.

The TBA will host “The Rookie Series: Probate” webcast on Jan. 22, 2025, from noon to 1 p.m. CST. The panel will explore common ethical challenges faced by lawyers in probate practice, particularly when the interests of a legal subject — whether disabled, deceased, a minor or a beneficiary — conflict with those of the fiduciary. The discussion will provide insights on how attorneys can best navigate these ethical dilemmas. For more information on the upcoming webcast and to register, visit the TBA website. Past installments of the Rookie Series, produced by the TBA Young Lawyers Division, are available on demand.

U.S. senators are urging colleagues in the House of Representatives to pass bipartisan legislation aimed at boosting privacy and safety for children online before the holiday break. U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, and Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee, have spent years working on the "Kids Online Safety Act," which seeks to provide children and parents with better tools to protect themselves online and hold tech companies accountable for harm. The bill passed the Senate earlier this year with a 91-3 vote but has stalled in the House. Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti, along with a group of 31 state attorneys general, urged congressional members in a November letter to pass the legislation. According to WKRN News, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, has not allowed a vote on the bill, citing concerns it could lead to censorship of conservative views. Blackburn, however, argues the legislation focuses on product design, not content. "Every product that is sold in this country has some kind of safety design attached, except what you're seeing in the virtual space," she said.

County music artist Morgan Wallen pleaded guilty to two counts of misdemeanor reckless endangerment Thursday stemming from an April incident in which he threw a chair off the roof of Eric Church’s Lower Broadway bar. According to NBC News, the deal calls for Wallen to spend seven days at a “DUI education center” followed by two years of probation. In related news, Wallen's bar is set to be a topic of discussion at next week’s Nashville Metro Council meeting, according to the Nashville Banner newsletter (see the third story). The council again will consider whether to approve a large sign planned for Wallen’s Lower Broadway establishment. The council rejected a resolution on the sign in May, with members highlighting Wallen’s recent arrest for the chair incident, as well as the time he was caught on camera shouting racial slurs.

Hamilton County is launching a new recovery court aimed at veterans involved in the criminal justice system, officials announced Wednesday. County Mayor Weston Wamp, Criminal Court Judge Boyd Patterson and General Sessions Court Judge Gary Starnes introduced the Hamilton County Veterans Treatment Court, which will address the specific needs of veterans in the system. Wamp said in a news release that the program furthers the county's commitment to supporting those who have served in defense of American values. The county allocated funding in this year's budget for a case manager to oversee the court and plans to pursue grant funding to sustain and expand the program in the future, according to the Chattanooga Times Free Press. The court will handle misdemeanor cases and certain felony offenses, such as assault, drunk driving and theft, but will not hear felony cases related to crimes such as child abuse or sexual assault.

Hernandez Govan, the man accused of masterminding the 2021 death of Memphis rapper, Young Dolph, rejected a plea deal from prosecutors Friday. The case is now set to go to trial, with proceedings scheduled to begin July 28, 2025, according to the Commercial Appeal. Govan's decision comes months after Justin Johnson was convicted of first-degree murder for his involvement in the killing. Govan will face trial on charges of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, and attempted first-degree murder. By rejecting the plea deal, Govan is prohibited from taking another plea offer before the trial.

Rep. Scott Cepicky, R-Culleoka, introduced a bill this week that would require the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) to revise its bylaws, allowing athletes one free transfer without eligibility restrictions. Under the current TSSAA transfer rule, student-athletes who move to a school in a different zone are ineligible for one calendar year following their last varsity game, unless they have a bona fide change of address. Cepicky’s bill would make it illegal for public schools to be part of any athletic association that enforces such eligibility restrictions. According to The Tennessean, Cepicky predicts that the bill will be ready for consideration in February. In related news, the TSSAA Legislative Council tabled all transfer-related rule proposals during its regular meeting Thursday in anticipation of the upcoming legislative session in January as a number of members have expressed concerns. The council has tentatively scheduled a special meeting for Feb. 4, 2025.