Law Day 2026 will take place May 1 and focus on the rule of law and the American dream. The theme will explore the idea that at the core of any definition of the “American dream” is the rule of law. Programming around the event will focus on the idea that the rule of law is what ensures the rights of people to pursue their dreams and live their lives as freely as possible, and is essential to the freedom and prosperity Americans have aspired to throughout the nation’s history. Watch a launch video to learn more or sign up to receive updates.

The state, Shelby County Government and Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert have agreed to mediate an attempt to oust her from office, The Commercial Appeal reports. The ouster petition was originally dismissed by Shelby County Circuit Court Judge Felicia Corbin-Johnson in 2024, but an appeal was later filed in January this year. A notice of voluntary mediation was submitted to the Tennessee Court of Appeals on Friday. Retired federal Judge Bernice Donald will mediate the dispute beginning on Oct. 30. In the court's order to pause proceedings pending mediation, it said a stay will remain in place until Nov. 6. The first ouster attempt, filed by Hamilton County District Attorney General Coty Wamp acting as a special attorney, was dismissed because Wamp does not live in the jurisdiction where Halbert was elected.

The American Bar Association (ABA) Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility has released Formal Opinion 518, which provides guidance addressing a lawyer’s duties when acting as a third-party neutral mediator under ABA Model Rule of Professional Conduct 2.4. Lawyers acting in this capacity must inform unrepresented parties that the lawyer-mediator does not represent them. They also must explain the difference between the lawyer-mediator’s role as a third-party neutral and the role of a lawyer representing a client in a mediation when the lawyer knows or reasonably should know that the parties do not understand the mediation process. Lawyer-mediators also must avoid communications that are dishonest, fraudulent, deceitful or misrepresentative, and avoid creating the impression that the lawyer-mediator will be providing the protections of the client-lawyer relationship. Read more about the rule in a press release.

Dates and locations for next month’s swearing in ceremonies have been updated by the Tennessee Supreme Court. The Nashville ceremony will take place Nov. 4 at the Millenium Maxwell House Grand Ballroom at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. CDT; the ceremony in Jackson will take place on Nov. 5 at the Supreme Court Building at 1 p.m. CDT. The event in Memphis will take place on Nov. 6 at City Hall at 10 a.m. CDT. There is no change to the ceremony in Knoxville, which will take place Nov. 3 at the Knoxville City/County Building Main Assembly Room at 10 a.m. EDT.

Dozens came to the New Covenant Christian Church on Oct. 11 for a legal clinic hosted by the Music City Community Court, a specialty court created by General Sessions Judge Rachel Bell in 2014. The court focuses on preventive, diversionary and restorative justice, according to The Tennessean. Volunteers from Vanderbilt University Law School and the Nashville School of Law helped people fill out forms to address outstanding court costs or have eligible criminal convictions expunged. A total of 91 people applied, resulting in 59 expungements and $145,544.80 in court cost and fines waived for those declared indigent. Additionally, a resource fair was held with employers and representatives from groups like the Metro Action Commission, Nashville Public Defender’s Office and the NAACP providing information to those impacted by the justice system.

Join colleagues for this year's Disability Law Forum on Oct. 23 via Zoom for three virtual sessions that will cover a variety of topics applicable to disability law practitioners. These include a session with Jennifer Cronenberg from the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (NOSSCR), a course dedicated to preparing for an administrative law judge hearing, and a Disability Determination Services/Office of Hearings Operations update with Kim Joseph and James Stanfield. Other speakers include Lena Beal, John Dreiser, Christopher George and Emma Drozdowski Webb.

Iowa Attorney General (AG) Brenna Bird joined an amicus brief Monday supporting a Tennessee law requiring social media companies to use age-verification software. The Protecting Children from Social Media Act mandates users be 18 or have parental consent to create accounts. NetChoice, a trade group including Meta, X and Reddit, sued in October 2024, claiming the law violates free speech and endangers data security. A U.S. district court denied the group's request to block the law, which led them to appeal to the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, according to KCRG. Tennessee AG Jonathan Skrmetti, argued in a brief submitted to the appeals court that the law does not abridge any free speech rights, but provides protection for minors online. Bird joined a coalition of 34 states and Washington, D.C., in filing the brief to support the Tennessee law.

The Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments is now accepting applications to fill a vacancy on the Tennessee Court of Appeals following the retirement of Judge Kenny Armstrong on Feb. 9, 2026. Qualified applicants must be licensed attorneys who are at least 30 years of age, have been residents of the state for five years and reside in the Western Grand Division of Tennessee. Applicants must complete the Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments’ application, and submit it to the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) by noon CST on Nov. 5. The council will meet on Dec. 10 at 9 a.m. CST in the chambers of the Jackson City Council, located at 109 E. Main St., STE 107, Jackson 38301. Please submit questions to AOC Assistant General Counsel Laura Blount at 615-741-2687. Complete application instructions can be found on the AOC's website. 

Vanderbilt University Chancellor Daniel Diermeier continues to evaluate whether or not to join a compact with the Trump administration that would give the university priority access to federal funding, but multiple campus groups have weighed in on the issue, Tennessee Lookout reports. The faculty senate voted last week to recommend the university reject the deal, as did the Vanderbilt graduate student union and the undergraduate student government. In related news, MIT rejected the same deal on Friday, according to the Nashville Banner.

A female wrestler at Ravenwood High School in Brentwood has filed a Title IX lawsuit against the Williamson County Board of Education, alleging that the girls' wrestling team was treated as an afterthought to the boys' team and was provided substandard support and opportunities as compared to the school’s other sports teams. Read more about the suit from the Nashville Banner.