Lewis "Lew" H. Conner Jr. died Jan. 4 at age 87. Connor attended Vanderbilt University for both his undergraduate and law degrees, going on to serve as a captain in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps with the 101st Airborne Division from 1963–1966. He entered private practice and later co-founded Dearborn & Ewing. As his private practice career unfolded, Connor’s work in complex litigation ultimately led him to pioneer alternative dispute resolution techniques in Tennessee. Widely regarded as one of the "fathers of mediation," he maintained an extraordinary record of successful resolutions. He later served on the Tennessee Court of Appeals and as a special chief justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court. Connor received the Nashville Bar Association’s highest distinction, the John C. Tune Public Service Award, as well as the Best of the Bar Lifetime Achievement Award. Visitation will be Jan. 9 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 3900 West End Ave., Nashville 37205 from 10-11:15 a.m. CST, followed by a service at noon. A reception will follow at the Vanderbilt Commodore Club, 2601 Jess Neely Drive, Nashville 37212. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church or the Boys and Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee. The Tennessean has more on Connor's life, including his many contributions to the sport of golf in the state. Read comments from Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Jeff Bivins in a press release from the Administrative Office of the Courts.

The January/February issue of the Tennessee Bar Journal is now available online and on its way to mailboxes this week! Kicking off the new year is a cover story on Nashville attorney David Cooper's journey on the Appalachian Trail with his son, Sam. He discusses "the trip of a lifetime" with TBJ Editor Julia Canada Wilburn, not only as an epic experience but one that allowed him the space to step away from practicing law and focus on his own well-being. The self care theme continues in TBA President Heidi Barcus' column on how she takes care of her own mental health, and an article from Judge Lee Bussart and LMU Law 2L Jillian McGauley explaining how the SHIELD Program in Marshall County is helping people with mental and substance use disorders get help and avoid incarceration. Columns in this issue include Eddy Smith's Where There's a Will, which looks at how modifications to Tennessee's trust laws have made the state a desirable one in which to set up trusts, and John Day explaining how tax law impacts tort law in Day on Torts. Finally, read about TBA's new pro bono portal and learn how lawyers can help people across the state, and get news and updates from The Legal Life.

The Association for Women Attorneys (AWA) will hold its 44th annual banquet on Jan. 29. The event will take place at The Cadre, 149 Monroe Avenue, Memphis 38103. A cocktail hour will begin at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 p.m. CST. This year’s event will honor Lauran Stimac, chair of Evans Petree’s litigation practice group. Read more about the banquet and purchase tickets online. To pay by check, email Faith Watson. Each ticket includes salad, dinner (chicken, fish or a vegetarian option), two sides and a dessert.

Several high-profile court cases affecting Memphis are expected to be considered in 2026. These include ongoing federal litigation stemming from the death of Tyré Nichols, a lawsuit challenging Gov. Bill Lee’s authority to deploy the National Guard, and a legal battle between the city and the Memphis Police Association. While major criminal cases involving the murder of Eliza Fletcher and Young Dolph concluded in 2025, aspects of the Nichols case remain unresolved in federal court as does a civil lawsuit seeking more than $500 million in damages. Separately, officials are appealing a ruling over the legality of the National Guard’s deployment in Memphis, a case that could set precedent on executive power in Tennessee. And the city’s dispute with the police association over union authority and contract issues continues to move through the courts. The Commercial Appeal looks at next steps in these cases.

State lawmakers may consider imposing a statewide cap on how much local governments can raise property taxes this year, The Tennessean reports. If adopted, the proposal would allow local governments to seek larger property tax increases by triggering a voter referendum. A spokesperson for Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell said the city relies on the ability to adjust property tax rates as property values change to maintain financial stability. Nashville residents have seen two significant property tax increases in recent years, including a 34% increase in 2020 and a 26% increase last year. No bill outlining the proposal has yet been filed.

Part of a new law that took effect Jan. 1, requires different identification and driver licenses for legal permanent residents of Tennessee who are not U.S. citizens. Lawmakers who passed the measure during a special legislative session last January said the change is intended to make it easier to determine voter eligibility and prevent noncitizens from voting. Advocates and some lawmakers have raised concerns that the law could affect access to public education and enrollment. WKRN has more on the issue.

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti has announced the promotion of an existing staff member and the hiring of a new staff member to bolster the office's communications team. Kaki Carrigan, currently serving as deputy chief of staff, has been promoted to chief communications officer. In her expanded role, she will lead the office's communications team and direct both internal and external communications strategies. She will continue to serve as deputy chief of staff. In addition, Phil Buehler has been named press secretary. He will serve as the primary spokesperson for the office and manage day-to-day media relations. Read more about the moves in a news release.

The Tennessee Department of Revenue will host a free webinar for new businesses Jan. 7 at 8:30 a.m. CST. During the session, participants will learn about state tax obligations for new businesses in the state and about other resources that may help new businesses. The webinar is part of a series the department offers to the public each quarter. Each webinar covers topics such as tax registration, sales and use tax, business tax, franchise and excise taxes, and how to get help from the Department of Revenue and other state agencies. Registration is available on the department’s website.

Sessions from the 2025 Animal Law Forum are now available on demand. The sessions explore conservation funding and green business practices at the Nashville Zoo, legal challenges tied to development in sensitive habitats, key issues in equine law and ethical considerations in animal law cases. The forum also included a session on the practical realities of practicing animal law in Tennessee with a focus on dangerous dogs, veterinary malpractice and custody disputes. Additional programming examines the use of K-9s and equine in law enforcement and search-and-rescue operations, with a focus on training, regulation and legal concerns. All sessions are available individually on the TBA CLE website.

Mississippi lawyer Carlos Eugene Moore was reinstated to the active practice of law in Tennessee on Jan. 5. He had been suspended for one year on March 27, 2025, retroactive to the date of suspension in the state of Mississippi. Moore filed a petition for reinstatement on Nov. 21, 2025. The Board of Professional Responsibility found the petition to be satisfactory.