Tennessee lawmakers opened the second session of the 114th Tennessee General Assembly at noon CST today. Immigration legislation and proposed expansion of Gov. Bill Lee's Education Freedom Scholarship program are expected to be at the forefront of the session, according to Axios. In addition, Knox News reports that Republican leadership is working with the Trump administration to introduce a slate of immigration bills. Last summer, Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson, R-Franklin, introduced legislation that would remove elected officials from office, and subject them to felony charges, if they release confidential information about immigration operations. The Nashville Scene has more about that bill and other items expected to be on the legislative agenda. Finally, the Tennessean reports that in a rare move, the House passed its first bill of the session. HB884 would add new restrictions around where "adult oriented performances," including drag shows, can be performed, banning such performances within 1,000 feet of any church or child care facility.

The University of Memphis Law Review will host its annual symposium on Feb. 27. As the United States looks forward to its 250th birthday in July, this year's symposium will reflect on due process, the cornerstone of the American legal system, according to the school. The program will "explore issues related to the history and evolution of due process and analyze what the future holds for this ever-evolving right," according a description of the event. Get more information on the law school's website.

Johnson City law partners Matt Bolton and McKenna Cox recently announced that after 100 years, the law firm of Herndon, Coleman, Brading and McKee is now Cox Bolton. In a statement on their new website, the pair said, "We feel this change better reflects who we are in 2026 and our vision for our firm into the next century. Cox Bolton LLP honors HCBM's commitment to provide legal services with integrity to our community." The firm's contact information will remain the same.

Christa Pike, the only woman on Tennessee’s death row, has sued the state over its new single-drug lethal injection protocol, arguing it violates the U.S. and Tennessee constitutions given her medical conditions and the risk of severe pain and suffering. According to the Nashville Banner, the lawsuit challenges the use of pentobarbital, the lack of transparency and emergency medical contingencies, restrictions on spiritual advisors, and a mandatory 14-day pre-execution isolation period that Pike says amounts to cruel and unusual punishment. Pike, who is scheduled to be executed Sept. 30 and who would be the first woman executed in Tennessee since 1820, also argues the protocol would cause her to effectively "drown in her own blood" due to a blood disorder and small veins, and that it infringes on her Buddhist beliefs. She is seeking a permanent injunction against the protocol and additional safeguards, citing past botched executions and ongoing litigation over Tennessee’s execution practices.

Former Millersville officials have filed a series of federal lawsuits accusing activists, former city leaders and journalists of conspiracies ranging from defamation to racketeering and even international terrorism. Defendants say the claims are frivolous and unsupported. According to The Tennessean, the lawsuits stem from years of turmoil in the small town, including mass firings, resignations, accusations of secret meetings and a botched 2024 sex-trafficking sting that later led to the indictment of a police captain. Five former employees — including ex-assistant police chief Shawn Taylor and former city attorney Bryant Kroll — allege coordinated efforts by activists, commissioners and reporters to sabotage investigations, defame them and force them from office. News organizations and the city have moved to dismiss the cases, arguing the allegations lack factual basis and that reporting and public statements are protected by the First Amendment.

The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI) on Monday announced the appointment of veteran attorney Rebekah Parkhurst as its general counsel. “With nearly two decades of experience in public sector law, litigation management, and regulatory compliance, Rebekah has demonstrated a track record of leadership that I know will benefit our department and, in turn, all Tennesseans,” said TDCI Commissioner Carter Lawrence. Prior to joining TDCI, Parkhurst served in various roles with Tennessee state government beginning in 2005, including serving as law clerk at the Tennessee Supreme Court, as an assistant attorney general, and as a deputy general counsel with the Department of Human Services. She earned her law degree from Appalachian School of Law and her bachelor’s degree from Marshall University. Read more in a press release from the department.

Metro Nashville Council Member Joy Kimbrough has filed a $40 million defamation lawsuit against Ryan Moses and his liquor distribution company, Best Brands Inc., over a dismissed ethics complaint that accused her of demanding $500,000 in exchange for support of a rezoning proposal. The Nashville Post reports that the Metro ethics board dismissed the complaint after Moses failed to provide evidence. Kimbrough alleges the false claims severely damaged her reputation and caused emotional distress.

In addition to serving on the bench, District 29 Chancellor Tony Childress is a volunteer firefighter, and on Dec. 26, 2025, he assisted with a surprise delivery. Childress was hunting with friends when he received a text from the Bogata Volunteer Fire Department about a woman giving birth in her car. He was the first firefighter on the scene and was able to assist the mother and baby until an ambulance arrived. Of his work with the fire department, Childress says, “I was a volunteer firefighter before I was a judge. I just said that’s not one of the things I’m going to give up. I believe in serving the community in whatever capacity you can. Judges ought to serve their communities in more roles than just being a judge. If you’re a leader, and judges are leaders, at some point you need to lead if you can do something. That’s why I keep doing it.” Read more in this profile from the Administrative Office of the Courts. District 29 serves Dyer and Lake counties.

The 2026 Estate Planning & Probate Forum will take place at the Marriott Cool Springs in Franklin on March 6. This event provides seven hours of CLE, including one hour of dual credit, and offers sessions on litigation and estate planning, public receivership, a probate panel, and a legislative update. Speakers include Section Chair Robert Malin, Rebecca Blair, Chancellor William Cole, Arthur Cook, Jennifer Exum, General Sessions Court Judge Toby Gilley, Zachary Glaser, Rob Hazard, Lisa Helton, Robin Miller, David Parsons, Al Secor, Andrea Sinclair, Jared Smith and Ashley Stearns. Section members receive discounted registration. Get more information and register on the TBA's website.

Vice President JD Vance announced Thursday that the Trump administration is establishing a new Department of Justice (DOJ) Division for National Fraud Enforcement to be lead by a new assistant attorney general, The Hill reports. The move follows the DOJ's investigation into allegations of mass welfare fraud in Minnesota. It has charged 85 defendants in that case and the administration said it is increasing prosecution resources and attorneys assigned to the investigation. Vance said the new position will “focus primarily” on the Minnesota fraud case, but also will have “nation-wide jurisdiction over the issue of fraud.” Following the news, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi praised the new role on the social platform X. Read more about the new fraud division from this White House fact sheet.