U.S. District Judge Waverly Crenshaw on Friday dismissed human smuggling charges against Kilmar Abrego Garcia. According to the Associated Press, Crenshaw ruled that without Abrego Garcia’s “successful lawsuit challenging his removal to El Salvador, the government would not have brought this prosecution,” dismissing claims of “new evidence” against him. Abrego Garcia was charged with human smuggling and conspiracy to commit human smuggling. Prosecutors alleged that he accepted money to transport within the United States people who were in the country illegally. In December 2025, Crenshaw said the government's case could be "vindictive." In February, U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis of Maryland ruled that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) could not re-detain Abrego Garcia after a detention period expired because it had no viable plan for deporting him.

A three-judge panel of state judges heard arguments Thursday morning from the NAACP and the state of Tennessee in one of several challenges to a new map that splits up the Memphis congressional district. The court adjourned without issuing a final ruling. Arguments centered on standing to bring suit and the meaning of the word “facilitate” in the governor’s proclamation calling for the special legislative session. On the later point, the NAACP argued that state lawmakers made the election more difficult and more confusing, thus not “facilitating” it. The state argued that the legislature fulfilled the governor’s directive because the changes “served the purpose of holding this year’s votes.” The Nashville Post takes a closer look at the arguments and questions posed by the judges. In related news, federal Judge William L. Campbell yesterday issued a memorandum explaining his reasons for denying a temporary restraining order in another challenge brought by voters and congressional candidates. Campbell did not completely dismiss the plaintiffs’ arguments or the possibility that they might eventually win in court but ruled that they had not demonstrated a sufficient likelihood of success.

The Tennessee Supreme Court on May 21 issued an opinion ordering the release of documents sealed in connection with a criminal case. The Nashville Banner reports that the records are related to former Judge Cheryl Blackburn’s competence. The ruling comes after Banner reporting in 2024 revealed Blackburn had been falling asleep on the bench and struggling to remember attorneys' names — concerns that prompted defense lawyers to question her fitness for the job. Blackburn has since retired. “This is a landmark victory for public access to judicial records in Tennessee,” Nashville attorney Daniel Horwitz said. “The public will know more about what happens in our courts based on this decision."

Belmont University’s College of Law successfully piloted a new Conflict Resolution Clinic embedded at the Nashville Conflict Resolution Center (NCRC) during the 2026 spring semester. Highly requested by students, the new offering builds on the school's experiential learning curriculum and introductory foundation in alternative dispute resolution (ADR) course. The Conflict Resolution Clinic focuses on mediation in a hybrid clinic model sited at NCRC, a Nashville nonprofit that provides resources for court-ordered mediation in civil, family and domestic violence cases. Read more in a press release from the law school.

The Chattanooga Bar Association (CBA) recognized community leader Bill Norton with its 2026 Liberty Bell Award during the organization’s Law Day Celebration on May 6. The award honors a non-lawyer who promotes a deeper understanding of the Constitution, encourages respect for the rule of law and fosters community leadership and responsibility. According to the Hamilton County Herald, Norton was recognized for his service as immediate past chair of the Chattanooga Area Veterans Council, parade chair of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Armed Forces Day Parade and leadership roles with Vietnam Veterans of America and the American Legion. Linda Moss Mines, recipient of the 1999 Liberty Bell Award, presented the honor to Norton during the luncheon event at St. John’s Restaurant.

For the third consecutive year, Harriman High School has been recognized with the Anne Dallas Dudley Gold Level Award, which recognizes public, charter, private and homeschool associations schools that register 100% of eligible students to vote. “The hard work displayed by Harriman High students and faculty continues to impress the community and the state,” said Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett. “To achieve Gold Level status for the third time in a row is a tremendous achievement.” Read more in a press release from Hargett's office.

Based on input from more than 1,300 legal professionals, the 2026 Legal Industry Report from 8am™ covers three major themes shaping the legal field right now: the rapid rise of legal AI, persistent gaps in access to justice and growing concern about the rule of law. Key findings from the survey include: 69% of legal professionals now use general-purpose AI tools, yet fewer than half of firms have provided training on how to use them responsibly; 76% of respondents believe AI could help narrow the access-to-justice gap; and 62% of lawyers say the rule of law is under threat. The report also explores where firms are seeing the biggest returns on technology investment. 8am™ is a TBA member benefit partner. Read the report or learn more about their products and services.

The Tennessee Lawyers Association for Women (TLAW) will host its annual meeting and breakfast on June 12 from 7:30-8:45 a.m. EDT during the TBA's Annual Convention in Knoxville. Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Holly Kirby will deliver the keynote address on "Justice. Leadership. Grace." TBA Convention registration does not include the TLAW Annual Meeting and breakfast. Tickets are $38 and can be purchased at www.tlaw.org. Attendance without breakfast is free, but registration is required. View a flyer for the event.

Former Ohio Solicitor General Benjamin Flowers recently appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee for his confirmation hearing to serve on the Cincinnati-based U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals. Nominated by President Donald Trump in April, Flowers faced scrutiny regarding past legal advocacy and questions about the 2020 election, according to Cleveland.com. Flowers is an attorney at Ashbrook Byrne Kresge Flowers in Cincinnati. He previously worked for Jones Day and Sidley Austin. If confirmed, he will fill the seat currently held by Chief Judge Jeffrey Sutton, who plans to take senior status on Oct. 1.

The Tennessee Department of Revenue will host a free webinar on Tennessee tax issues for auctioneers on May 26 at 9 a.m. CDT. During the session, department staff will discuss state tax issues for auctioneers, including information about the state’s sales tax, business tax and licensing, and access to the TNTAP system. The May webinar is part of a free series the department offers to the public. Register for the webinar on the department's website.