The TBA Young Lawyers Division (YLD) is now accepting applications for its Diversity Leadership Institute (DLI) Class of 2026. DLI is a six-month leadership, professional development and networking program for all Tennessee law students in their second, third or fourth years of study. There are no costs to participate in the DLI program. Class size is limited to 8-10 students selected from across the state. Learn more about the program. The application deadline is 5 p.m. CDT on Nov. 2. There will be a mandatory Zoom meeting on Nov. 5 at 5:30 p.m. CST for all applicants. All are encouraged to apply. This year's DLI coordinators are TBA YLD Board Members Morgan Hanna and John Murphy.

The TBA Young Lawyers Division Mock Trial Committee is looking for attorneys willing to volunteer their time to assist high school mock trial teams across the state.  Attorneys assist with teaching students the rules of evidence, how to make and respond to objections, how to enter an exhibit, and general courtroom decorum. The committee asks that attorneys volunteer a minimum of 4-6 hours in January and/or early February. Attorneys may assist teams in person or virtually. Those with questions or who are interested in volunteering should contact Mock Trial Vice Chair Bridget Pyman at bpyman@arnettbaker.com.

Existing hemp businesses in Tennessee will have more time to operate under current rules and temporarily avoid a new law banning the sale of THCA products and changing state regulations. According to WBIR, the Tennessee Healthy Alternatives Association (THAA) and the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) reached an agreement allowing businesses with hemp-derived cannabinoid licenses issued on or before Dec. 31 to continue operating under the state’s 2023 law until their licenses expire. The agreement gives suppliers and retailers more time to adjust before new regulations take effect. Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, a law passed earlier this year will place oversight of hemp-derived products under the TABC and effectively ban THCA sales. The new law establishes a three-tier system—similar to the alcohol industry—dividing the market into suppliers, wholesalers and retailers. The agreement followed a petition by THAA seeking clarity on how the new law would affect existing license holders. All hemp-derived cannabinoid licenses issued on or after July 1 will expire on June 30, 2026.

Tennessee lawmakers are calling for a special legislative session to address a lack of federal funding as the federal shutdown enters its 23rd day. With around 690,000 Tennesseans poised to lose Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or other benefits if the shutdown continues into November, lawmakers are asking Gov. Bill Lee to intervene, according to the Nashville Banner newsletter. “Standing idly by while children go hungry is simply not an option. The time to act is now,” Caucus Chair Rep. John Ray Clemmons, D-Nashville, said in a release Thursday. In the statement, the caucus noted that the governor has called numerous special sessions in his two terms, including earlier this year to approve storm relief for approximately 10,000 people impacted by Hurricane Helene in East Tennessee. The Tennessee Department of Health and Human Services warned earlier this week that funding for programs like SNAP will not be available next month if the shutdown continues into November. 

Former State Rep. Brandon Ogles announced his campaign for Williamson County mayor, pledging to stand up for local residents against unchecked growth, overdevelopment and state funding, the Williamson Herald reports. Ogles, a Franklin native and former state lawmaker, highlighted his work on school safety legislation during his time in the General Assembly, including efforts to fund school resource officers and threat-assessment teams statewide. A former reserve deputy with the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, Ogles said he hopes to bring his experience in public safety and fiscal policy to county government.

The TBA Young Lawyers Division and Belmont Law are looking for attorney volunteers for their wills clinic at the Belmont Ministry Center on Nov. 8 from 10 a.m 12:30 pm. CDT. Attorneys will assist with the drafting of simple wills, durable POA and healthcare POA using the Gavel platform. Please email ginny.blake@belmont.edu if you are interested or would like more information.

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti, joined by attorneys general from 24 other states, filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court on today urging the court to clarify that the 14th Amendment’s Citizenship Clause does not guarantee automatic citizenship to everyone born in the United States. The states argue that lower courts have misinterpreted the clause to require automatic citizenship for anyone born on U.S. soil, regardless of their parents’ residency or immigration status. “The idea that citizenship is guaranteed to everyone born in the United States doesn’t square with the plain language of the 14th Amendment or the way many government officials and legal analysts understood the law when it was adopted after the Civil War,” Skrmetti said in a press release.

Former state Rep. Robin Smith on Friday morning was sentenced to serve eight months in federal prison and a $7,500 fine for her leading part in what was termed "a lengthy conspiracy to cheat the state," The Chattanoogan reports. Smith, a former Republican lawmaker from Hixson, pleaded guilty to honest services wire fraud in connection with a kickback scheme involving former House Speaker Glen Casada and his top aide, Cade Cothren. Prosecutors said the group used a fake company, Phoenix Solutions, to profit from state-funded mailer contracts. Smith, who testified against her co-defendants, will be on probation for a year after the sentence is served and is scheduled to report to prison Jan. 5.

The TBA will host its 2025 Environmental Law Forum on Dec. 5 in Nashville. The annual program, a staple for Tennessee lawyers and environmental professionals, will run from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. CST and include lunch. Attendees can expect timely updates on issues affecting the practice area, with discounted registration available for section members. Stay tuned for more information on the TBA website.

Davidson County lawyer James Broderick Johnson was reinstated to the practice of law on Oct. 22. He had been suspended by the Tennessee Supreme Court on Sept. 19 for three months with 30 days to be served on active suspension and the remainder on probation. The court conditioned reinstatement on completion of an additional six hours of continuing legal education on subjects related to client relations, the management of a law practice and/or Rules of Professional Conduct regarding the board’s disciplinary actions. Johnson filed a petition for reinstatement on Oct. 9. The Board of Professional Responsibility found it to be satisfactory.