The TBA is offering 1-Click packages organized by practice area,  a convenient year-end option that allows attorneys to quickly find relevant programming across 33 different practice areas. The on-demand packages are designed to help lawyers efficiently earn CLE credit before the end of the year while tailoring coursework to specific fields of practice. Check out the specific courses included on the TBA CLE website. Looking for something else? TBA also has six, eight, 10, 12 and 15-hour packages based on specific topics, live webcasts and on-demand video all month long. Explore all the Year End options to complete your CLE requirement by Dec. 31.

According to a press release from Gov. Bill Lee, longtime state employee and attorney Andy Kidd will lead the Tennessee Department of General Services beginning Jan. 15, 2026. Kidd will take over for Jeff Holmes, who has served in an interim role since former commissioner Matt Van Epps stepped down after winning his bid for the U.S. House of Representatives. Kidd currently serves as the deputy commissioner of fiscal and administrative services at the Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging. He previously served with the Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration and in the General Services’ central procurement office. He holds a master’s and bachelor's degree in business administration from East Tennessee State University and a law degree from Nashville School of Law.

The Nashville Arts & Business Council, in partnership with United Way of Greater Nashville and the Nashville Financial Empowerment Center, will host a pro bono tax clinic for artists, musicians and creatives on Jan. 14, 2026. The event will offer individuals the opportunity to meet with a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) volunteer to learn how to file their taxes in the way that is most beneficial for them and/or to meet with a financial counselor for help repair credit and manage debt. Prospective clients should register by Jan. 9, 2026. The event will take place at the Nashville Financial Empowerment Center, 217 South 10th St., Nashville 37206.

More than 30 people, including country music star and Nashville native Jelly Roll, have been pardoned by Gov. Bill Lee, WKRN reports. According to officials, each case was extensively reviewed and the Tennessee Board of Parole was heavily involved in the decision-making. “After thoroughly reviewing the merits of each case, I have decided to grant 33 individuals executive clemency,” Lee said. “Each individual case is unique and warranted consideration, and I thank the Board of Parole members for their thoughtful recommendations throughout this process.” All 33 reportedly have served their sentences and are not subject to any type of supervision. The Tennessean has the full list of those pardoned.

U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn has introduced legislation to bring accountability to name, image and likeness (NIL) deals and help college athletes invest the money they earn from these arrangements. According to Knox News, the bill would direct the U.S. Treasury to establish NIL regulations, require agents to register with their states before representing athletes, cap agent fees at 5% of the deal, and direct athletic associations to maintain public registries of agents. For athletes, the bill would create tax-advantaged investment accounts and allow up to $35,000 of unused NIL funds to be rolled over into an IRA or other retirement plan once the athlete has been out of college sports for at least a year. According to a press release from Blackburn's office, the proposal has the support of SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey and the University of Tennessee.

Missouri-founded law firm Spencer Fane, which has offices in Nashville, will enter the New York market through a merger with Golenbock Eiseman Assor Bell & Peskoe. The move, set to take effect on Feb. 2, 2026, will leave the firm with 700 lawyers in 31 U.S. offices. The news comes as law firm mergers are heating up. Reuters reports that Chicago-founded Winston & Strawn and UK firm Taylor Wessing plan to merge in May while international firm Ashurst and Perkins Coie plan to merge later in 2026. The news source also reports that mergers increased through the first nine months of 2025 compared to the same period last year.

The TBA Young Lawyers Division (YLD) will host its inaugural Business College: Transactional Law Essentials program on April 10. This in-person program is designed as a practical refresher and foundation course for new and young attorneys — or any lawyer who wants to brush up on the basics of transactional law. Geared toward real-world practice, the program focuses on core concepts, ethical considerations and emerging issues in business law, with hands-on guidance and takeaways attendees can use right away to more confidently and efficiently handle a wide range of business legal matters for their clients.

A longtime corrections officer at Knox County's Richard L. Bean Juvenile Detention Center has filed a lawsuit alleging leadership at the facility discriminated against him because he is Black. Knox News reports that Antonio Smith says he was subjected to harassment and baseless allegations, including claims that he was involved in gang and other criminal activity, that he deprived children at the facility of their rights and repeatedly broke the law, and that he had an inappropriate relationship with a female supervisor. The suit was filed Dec. 8 in U.S. District Court against the county, former interim superintendent Brian Bivens, current interim superintendent Cory Dauer and supervisor Brad Sabol.

Tennessee’s embattled Department of Children’s Services (DCS) still lacks oversight, according to a new audit from the state comptroller. Axios Nashville reports that while the audit found some improvements have been made, DCS still fails to meet the needs of abused and neglected children. The audit notes delayed and incomplete investigations of abuse and neglect claims, an over dependence on temporary transitional housing, delayed reporting of child fatalities, and a lack of oversight in juvenile detention. “These findings call for immediate attention and meaningful action to improve oversight, accountability and care for Tennessee’s most vulnerable children and youth,” an auditor told lawmakers this week.

The Tennessee Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments in March on whether the National Guard has been legally deployed to Memphis, the Commercial Appeal reports. In an order filed today, the court agreed to hear the state’s appeal of a ruling from Davidson County Chancellor Patricia Head Moskal that temporarily blocked the deployment. The court also granted the state’s request to expedite the appeal. Oral arguments have been scheduled for March 5, 2026, at 9 a.m. CST.