The TBA’s Dispute Resolution Forum will return May 7 as a live virtual program from 9 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. CDT, featuring sessions designed for both attorneys and mediators. The forum will include discussions on technology tools to improve mediation efficiency, an arbitration panel and an ethics course covering Board of Professional Responsibility rules relevant to attorneys serving as negotiators and mediators. Speakers include Rebecca Ketchie of Herrin, McPeak & Associates in Johnson City; Larry Bridgesmith of Vanderbilt University in Nashville; and Stephen Shields of Jackson, Shields, Yeiser, Holt, Owen & Bryant in Memphis. For more information and to register visit the TBA website.

The Tennessee Board of Law Examiners recently released statistics about the state's February 2026 bar exam. According to the board, 240 individuals — 97 first time test takers and 143 repeaters — took the exam. They represent 60 different law schools and saw an overall pass rate of 43.75%. First-time test takers saw a pass rate of 60.82%. For first time test-takers at Tennessee law schools, Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law saw the highest rate with 77.78% followed by Vanderbilt University Law School at 66.67% and University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law at 50%. Three schools — Belmont University College of Law, Nashville School of Law and University of Tennessee Winston College of Law — each had just a few first-time applicants and none of those individuals passed. See all statistical information released by the board or see the list of those who passed. In related news, due to an oversight, statistical information for the July 2025 bar exam was not included in TBA Today last year. Download that data packet here.

Don't miss this week's TBA Bankruptcy Law Forum, a unique retreat in the Great Smoky Mountains. The event brings together area experts and bankruptcy judges, featuring practical panels and small group sessions with the judiciary.

Topics this year include a case law update, mortgage update, ethics, Subchapter V, Bain and more. Included in the cost of the program is a Friday evening networking reception and dinner. Learn more and register here!

An effort to give the state attorney general authority to review local government's contingency-fee legal contracts with outside law firms appears to have stalled in both the House and Senate. The Senate Judiciary Committee passed SB2418 on March 16. The full Senate considered the bill on April 2 but deferred final action on it twice. On April 13, it referred it back to the Calendar Committee. The House State & Local Government Committee approved HB2069 on April 1. The House considered the bill on April 9 but failed to garner the constitutional majority vote needed. It was referred back to the Calendar and Rules Committee and to the Judiciary Committee, but was taken off notice there on April 14. Tennessee Journal reports on the developments.

Tennessee lawmakers have passed legislation (SB591/HB1273) to amend the state’s controversial threats of mass violence law, which has resulted in children being charged with felonies over jokes and misunderstandings, according to WPLN. The change comes after investigative reporting by ProPublica and WPLN, which found that many of the children charged had disabilities and were students of color. One of the youngest children charged with a felony last year was six years old according to the reporting. Gov. Bill Lee is expected to sign the bill, which will require that school officials only report student threats to police if a threat is “credible,” meaning it is reasonably expected to be carried out.

The Tennessee Department of Revenue will host a free webinar on sales tax exemptions on April 28 at 9 a.m. CDT. Participants will hear an overview of Tennessee’s sales tax exemptions and how they apply to businesses across the state. The session also will break down common exemption categories, documentation requirements, and compliance best practices. Each business webinar, offered quarterly, covers topics such as tax registration, sales and use tax, business tax, franchise and excise taxes and how to get help from the department and other relevant state agencies. Register for the webinar here. 

Samuel Scott Minton, whose conviction was vacated in January 2025 after spending more than 30 years in prison, has sued Bradley County, former Bradley County Sheriff Dan Gilley, former detective William Burtt and the estate of former detective Anthony Benefield. Minton alleges that the officials violated his civil rights, engaged in coercion and fabricated evidence in his case, the Chattanooga Times Free Press reports. The defendants deny wrongdoing. Minton was convicted in a 1994 jury trial following the rape and death of a Cleveland woman. He says he confessed to the crime without an attorney present but that many of his statements were made by a detective. The suit describes Minton at the time as a "vulnerable and functionally illiterate 20-year-old man with an intellectual disability." A confirmed alibi later proved that he was an hour away from the crime scene.

With the Tennessee General Assembly in the final days of the session, TBA's government relations team looks at the TBA bills that advanced during the 2026 session. All three measures passed the House and Senate. They will take effect on July 1.

HB2350/SB2165, drafted by the TBA Adoption Law Section and sponsored by Rep. Mary Littleton, R-Dickson, and Sen. Ferrell Haile, R-Gallatin, ensures that foster parents who have cared for a child for nine or more consecutive months receive from the Department of Children Services (DCS) a copy of any petition to terminate parental rights and access to relevant background and health information. The bill addresses situations in which foster parents lacked access to court filings and critical information and ensures they can make informed decisions with legal guidance. The legislation passed both chambers and was sent to Gov. Bill Lee on April 14. See the legislative history.

HB2429/SB2324, drafted by the TBA Family Law Section and sponsored by Rep. Andy Farmer, R- Sevierville, and Sen. Ferrell Haile, R-Gallatin, clarifies that the Families’ Rights and Responsibilities Act does not override other legal authority, authorizes juvenile courts to award attorney fees in child related disputes, permits temporary suspension of child support during dependency and neglect proceedings, and requires parent education in appropriate cases, including those involving unmarried parents. The bill has been signed by the governor. See the legislative history.

HB2451/SB2184, drafted by the TBA Probate Study Group and sponsored by Rep. Johnny Garrett, R- Goodlettsville, and Sen. John Stevens, R-Huntingdon, clarifies that the Tennessee Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act does not apply when property must be brought into a decedent’s estate to pay expenses, reinforcing that probate administration remains governed by probate law. The legislation also updates the elective share statute and makes conservatorship petition requirements mandatory. The bill has been signed by the governor. See the legislative history.

The latest episode of BarBuzz is out! In this installment, TBA Communications Coordinator Azya Thornton interviews fellow staff members Director of Education and Professional Development Jennifer Vossler and Senior Education and Professional Development Coordinator Jarod Word. They talk all things continuing legal education (CLE), from TBA's many online courses to the annual section forums. Thornton also talks with Estate Planning Section Chair Rob Malin and speaker Ashley Sterns at the section’s annual forum in March. Listen to this episode on the TBA’s website or directly here. Did you miss a past podcast episode? Catch up here. To access TBA's on demand CLE library or see upcoming events visit the CLE website.

The Trial Court Vacancy Commission is currently accepting applications to fill a vacancy in the 26th Judicial District Chancery Court following the elevation of the Steven W. Maroney to the appellate bench. Applicants must be an attorney licensed in Tennessee who is at least 30 years of age, a resident of the state for five years, and must reside in the judicial district, which covers Chester, Henderson and Madison counties. Applications should be submitted by noon CDT on May 6. Access the application and instructions on the court’s website. A public hearing with applicants for the position will be held June 10 at 9 a.m. CDT.