A Tennessee judge ruled Tuesday that the state may deactivate death row inmate Bryon Black’s implanted heart-regulating device at a hospital on the morning of his execution, rather than bringing a doctor or technician into the execution chamber, the Associated Press reports. The ruling adjusts an earlier order that required prison officials to deactivate the defibrillator moments before Black’s execution. During a hearing on the issue, Deputy Attorney General Cody Brandon said Black’s physicians at Nashville General Hospital were unwilling to enter the execution chamber. He asked the judge to either overturn the previous order or allow the Tennessee Department of Correction to transport Black to the hospital for the procedure.

Former Shelbyville Judge Alfred Burton "Burt" English, also known as "Poppy," died July 10 at the age of 82. English earned his law degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law (now the Winston College of Law) in 1976. That same year, he returned to Shelbyville and joined his father, Alfred L. English, in founding English and English Attorneys. English also served as judge for the city of Shelbyville for 10 years. Family visitation and a memorial service were held July 13. Memorial donations may be made to Ducks Unlimited, One Waterfowl Way, Memphis, TN 38120 or to a charity of the donor's choice.

The U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division has dismissed a complaint filed during the Biden administration challenging Tennessee’s law restricting certain medical procedures for minors. According to a press release, the department said it no longer believes continuing the case serves the public interest. The complaint was filed after individual plaintiffs and the American Civil Liberties Union challenged the state's 2023 law. Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected that challenge in a 6-3 decision, ruling that the law does not violate the Equal Protection Clause. Following that ruling, the individual plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed their complaint.

Former Judge Bernice Bouie Donald has joined JAMS, a private provider of alternative dispute resolution services, following a four-decade legal career that included service on the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, the U.S. district and bankruptcy courts in the Western District of Tennessee, and the Shelby County General Sessions Court. Donald will serve as a mediator, arbitrator, court-appointed neutral and neutral evaluator in civil rights, business, bankruptcy, intellectual property and health care cases, according to a press release. Based in Tennessee, she will offer in-person and virtual services to clients nationally and internationally. Donald also is a member at Burch, Porter & Johnson in Memphis and runs her own mediation practice.

The University of Tennessee (UT) at Knoxville has cut ties with the China Scholarship Council after the U.S. House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party urged administrators to assess security concerns, Knox News reports. The program funds study abroad scholarships for Chinese college students. UT Provost John Zomchick sent a letter of termination July 10, ending an agreement the institutions signed in 2024. UT said the agreement was not an “enforceable legal document.” In a July 8 letter, the committee called the program a tool for advancing China’s military and scientific goals. The university is now assessing the decision's impact on three students enrolled in the program. Six other U.S. universities received similar warnings. The University of North Texas previously ended its partnership with the group in 2020.

The TBA will host a replay of the webcast “Communication Breakdown: It's Always the Same (But It's Avoidable)” on July 25 from noon to 1 p.m. CDT. The program will explore how poor client communication can lead to malpractice claims, internal conflict and decreased productivity. It also will offer tools, technologies and techniques to help attorneys improve communication, reduce stress, enhance client satisfaction and lower malpractice risk. For more information, visit the TBA website. Can't tune in on Friday? The program also is available on demand.

The man accused of carrying out a Memphis shooting spree in 2022 is set to go to trial early next year.  According to the Daily Memphian, Ezekiel Kelly's trial will begin on Feb. 9, 2026. Shelby County Criminal Court Judge James Jones Jr. set the date during a preliminary court hearing Tuesday. Kelly, who is facing the death penalty, is accused of killing three people and wounding three others in multiple shootings that created crime scenes across the city. He originally was set to go to trial last week, but that date was delayed in May after Kelly’s attorney argued he needed more time to prepare. The attorney also said he plans to file a motion to have an out-of-town jury try the case. Kelly is scheduled to return to court Sept. 16, which also will be the last day he can plead guilty before trial.

The Tennessee Department of Revenue is offering a free virtual seminar next week about 2025 legislative updates. The program will discuss recent legislative changes to statutes administered by the department or affecting state tax law. It will take place on July 29 beginning at 9 a.m. CDT.

The Knoxville Bar Association (KBA) will hold its 2025 Bench & Bar Celebration on Sept. 4 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. EDT. The annual event honors the justices of the Tennessee Supreme Court and celebrates the state judiciary. The celebration will take place at the Knoxville Convention Center, 701 Henley St., Knoxville 37902. Learn more and access registration information online.

Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee Robert E. McGuire on July 18 announced that the U.S. has reached an agreement with Knights Inn Nashville to resolve allegations the hotel violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The hotel is alleged to have refused to allow a family with a service animal to stay because it was against hotel policy. As part of the settlement, the hotel has agreed to post a large sign in a conspicuous area accessible by the public that reads “Service Animals Welcome.” The owner of the hotel also will establish and implement a written policy specifically addressing the provision of services to individuals with disabilities who require a service animal for all hotels that he owns, and will provide ADA training to all hotel staff who have contact with guests. Read more.