Tyler Whetstone, an investigative reporter with the Knoxville News Sentinel, will receive the TBA’s 2026 Fourth Estate Award for his reporting bringing greater transparency to Knoxville’s judicial system. Knox News Executive Editor Joel Christopher nominated Whetstone, saying his reporting exposed “how extremist and racist speech by a Knox County prosecutor raised constitutional questions about public employees and free speech, and forced scrutiny of the criminal justice system’s safeguards.” Christopher also explains that the reporting went beyond breaking news to explain how a district attorney’s office oversees those entrusted with enforcing the law.

In announcing the award, TBA President Heidi Barcus said, “Reporting by Tyler Whetstone helped bring to light the district attorney’s decision to fire the lawyer as she balanced the constitutional issues of free speech and the fair administration of justice. The Tennessee Bar Association is pleased to recognize Whetstone for his work educating the public about this case and promoting improvements in our system of justice.” The award will be presented at the annual Lawyers Luncheon, set for June 12 as part of the association’s Annual Convention in Knoxville. Read more about Whetstone’s work.

The Tennessee Supreme Court issued an order on May 18 to amend Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 34(2)(C). The change adds a new category of information that will be treated as confidential and will not be open for inspection by the public. This includes information regarding threats to the personal safety of a judge, judicial staff or court system employee and his or her family; court security audits and enhancements; and any written or electronic records, notes, memoranda, reports or other documents created or received by a judge, judicial staff or court system employee, the Administrative Office of the Courts or any office staff or member of a board or commission created by the court unless intentionally disclosed as required by law. The amendment took effect immediately on filing of the order.

State legislators sent Gov. Bill Lee two prison reform measures aimed at increasing transparency and accountability in Tennessee correctional facilities, the Nashville Scene reports. HB2531/SB2111, which is awaiting the governor's signature, would create a statewide family advisory board made up of relatives of currently and formerly incarcerated individuals to improve communication with the Tennessee Department of Correction, support family reunification and provide feedback to lawmakers on prison conditions and operations. A second measure, HB1718/SB1820, was signed into law by the governor. It establishes a one-year body camera pilot program at Trousdale Turner Correctional Center, a CoreCivic-operated private prison that has faced reports of violence and is under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice. Supporters of the bills say they are intended to improve safety, transparency and accountability within Tennessee prisons.

Last week, the NAACP and the League of Women Voters filed a lawsuit in federal court alleging that the redistricting map passed by the state legislature discriminates against Black voters, the Nashville Banner newsletter reports. Two weeks ago, on the same day the legislature passed the map, the NAACP filed a similar lawsuit in Davidson County Chancery Court. The new complaint addresses the fact that the new map splits Memphis, the state’s biggest hub of Black voters, into three congressional districts. Like the other lawsuits filed against the state since the end of the special legislative session, the complaint seeks an injunction against implementation of the new map. In related news, the Daily Memphian reports that the state has tapped Consovoy McCarthy, the Virginia law firm central to the U.S. Supreme Court overturning affirmative action in college admissions in 2023, to help defend the new congressional map in court.

Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti today announced the appointment of Madeline Clark as solicitor general for the state of Tennessee, effective June 8. Clark succeeds Matt Rice, who will leave the office in June to join Kirkland & Ellis. Clark joined the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office in 2025 as principal deputy solicitor general. Prior to joining the office, she worked as an associate at Jones Day. Her credentials include judicial clerkships for U.S. Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas and Amy Coney Barrett. As solicitor general, Clark will oversee the office’s appellate litigation. “I look forward to building on the outstanding legacy of the Tennessee Solicitor General’s Office,” Clark said in a press release.

Tens of thousands of people are seeking to stop the scheduled execution of Tony Carruthers, which is set for Thursday. According to the Fox 13, about 80,000 people have signed a petition urging Gov. Bill Lee to halt the execution. Advocates argue that untested DNA and fingerprint evidence could point to another suspect. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) also is pursuing efforts in both state and federal courts to delay the execution until additional forensic testing can be conducted. The latest request for a stay was denied Friday by U.S. District Judge Eli Richardson of the Middle District of Tennessee, who wrote that Carruthers “lacks a significant likelihood of success on each of his claims.” The ACLU has appealed that ruling to the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Cornelius Smith, who testified during two trials that he participated in the killing of Memphis rapper Young Dolph, pleaded guilty Friday, the Commercial Appeal reports. Smith is the final defendant connected to the case to resolve charges in Shelby County Criminal Court, more than four years after the rapper’s death. Under the plea agreement, Smith pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Deputy District Attorney Paul Hagerman, who prosecuted most of the Young Dolph-related cases, said Smith’s cooperation helped secure the conviction of co-defendant Justin Johnson.

An investiture ceremony and reception for newly appointed U.S. Magistrate Judge Luke A. Evans of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee took place last Thursday in Nashville. Evans, who was appointed to the bench in February, previously practiced with Evans, Bulloch & Parker and handled criminal defense, civil rights and family law matters across Tennessee. Remarks during the ceremony were delivered by U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffery S. Frensley and former Federal Public Defender Henry Martin, while TBA President Heidi Barcus represented the TBA. See photo from the event.  

Retired U.S. District Judge Jon McCalla died May 15 at age 79. McCalla was born in Memphis and graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1969. He served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army until 1971 and, upon his return, enrolled at Vanderbilt University Law School, where he earned his law degree. McCalla later returned to Memphis and practiced law privately until he was nominated to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee by President George H.W. Bush. He was confirmed in 1992 and served as a full-time judge until taking senior status in 2013. Read more about McCalla’s career in the Daily Memphian. A burial liturgy will be held at Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Memphis sometime in June, the church announced.

The next legal clinic for veterans in Knoxville will take place June 10 from 9 a.m to 12 p.m. EDT at the Knox County Public Defender's Community Law Office, 1101 Liberty St., Knoxville 37919. This is a general advice clinic sponsored by the Knoxville Bar Association (KBA), KBA Barristers, Legal Aid of East Tennessee, Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law, the University of Tennessee Winston College of Law, the Knox County Public Defender’s Community Law Office and the local Veterans Affairs office. Attorneys and law students are needed for the in-person clinic. Attorneys also may help clients by phone. Sign up to volunteer.