Attorneys can learn how to use artificial intelligence (AI) more effectively in legal writing during a webcast this Wednesday from noon to 1 p.m. CDT. The program will explore practical strategies for using AI to improve drafts, identify typos and ambiguity, test legal reasoning, monitor tone and streamline the editing process without sacrificing accuracy or professional judgment. The session also will examine effective prompting techniques, common pitfalls that can make AI-generated writing less efficient and ways lawyers can balance AI's capabilities with the human judgment required for effective legal communication. Visit the TBA website for more information and to register. 

An employee at Knox County's juvenile detention center has filed a lawsuit in federal court, according to Knox News. Molly Mack alleges she faced discrimination from the center's new leadership because she was a longtime employee of former Superintendent Richard Bean. She also claims the center's current leadership is attempting to force longtime employees into retirement. Mack, who has worked at the detention center for 17 years, alleges she was reassigned from the front desk, where she has worked for the past six years, to a unit housing detained female teens. According to the lawsuit, Mack has a medical condition that limits her ability to perform physically demanding tasks. She alleges the center reassigned her despite being aware of those limitations and without providing proper training. According to the suit, Mack was physically injured in February 2026 after working a single shift in the unit.

The Tennessee Department of Correction is proposing a two-year contract to continue the state's Community Corrections program while maintaining a 15% funding reduction, according to the Tennessee Lookout. The program, created by the General Assembly in 1985 as an alternative to incarceration, provides intensive probation services through 15 agencies across the state. Lawmakers last year directed the department to use a $14 million fund balance to help stabilize the program, but the department instead applied those funds to support operations for the upcoming fiscal year on a one-time basis. Sen. Ed Jackson, R-Jackson, said he plans to continue advocating for full funding, calling the program effective in reducing incarceration and helping participants overcome addiction and rebuild their lives. The department has indicated it intends to offer two-year contracts, though long-term funding beyond the next fiscal year remains uncertain.

Gov. Bill Lee has signed legislation expanding eligibility for interment in state veterans cemeteries to include more members of the reserve components of the Army National Guard and Air National Guard. According to the Greenville Sun, under the new law, individuals who served honorably in those components for at least eight cumulative years or who were called to service under state orders, regardless of length of service, will be eligible for burial at no cost. The law preserves eligibility for veterans who already qualify under federal standards and maintains federal requirements governing the eligibility of spouses and dependents. It also prohibits implementation in any way that would jeopardize federal funding for the construction, expansion or operation of state veterans cemeteries.

The Chattanooga Airport Board of Directors has filed a lawsuit against Tennessee leaders seeking to block a state law that would dissolve the board and replace it with members mostly selected by state officials, the Chattanooga Times Free Press reports. Under the previous structure, all nine members were appointed by the mayor and approved by the city council. Under the new law, three of the nine members would be selected by local leaders, while the remaining six would be chosen by state officials. The complaint, filed Thursday in Hamilton County Chancery Court, states the legislation “effectively guts and wrests the governance and control” of municipality-created airport authorities in Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville and Chattanooga. The Metro Nashville Airport Authority Board also filed a lawsuit against the state earlier this month. 

Rep. T.J. Hardaway, D-Memphis, has announced his campaign for House of Representatives District 93 seat. Hardaway said he will forgo the Aug. 6 primary and instead run as a write-in candidate in the Nov. 3 general election, according to Local Memphis. Hardaway currently represents the district after being appointed to the seat following the death of his father, former Rep. G.A. Hardaway. The younger Hardaway said he chose to announce his campaign Thursday because that would have been his father's 72nd birthday. Hardaway's appointment to the seat will end on Nov. 3 unless he wins the general election.

The TBA Young Lawyers Division (YLD) recognized participants in two of its leadership development programs during the 2026 Annual Convention in Knoxville. Members of the Diversity Leadership Institute's Class of 2026 (DLI) celebrated their graduation after completing the six-month leadership and mentoring program, which included professional development opportunities, service projects, virtual programming and participation in YLD meetings throughout the year. Law students who participated in the YLD's 2026 Rural Judicial Fellows program also were on hand and attended special programming alongside the DLI class. Fellows also participated in YLD meetings and networking events during the convention. Learn more about the DLI and Rural Judicial Fellows programs on the YLD website.

Shelbyville attorney John R. Bumpus died June 7 at the age of 76. Bumpus earned his law degree from the University of Tennessee (now Winston) College of Law and practiced law throughout Tennessee. He served as a lawyer and administrative judge in Upper East Tennessee and Nashville for nearly 10 years before entering private practice. Earlier in his career, Bumpus worked as an attorney for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Civil Works Branch, practicing in Kentucky and Illinois. Bumpus was licensed to practice law in Tennessee and the District of Columbia and was admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, multiple courts of appeals and district courts. A graveside service was held June 11 at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Shelbyville. Memorial contributions may be made to the Tennessee Baptist Children's Homes in Brentwood or to Tennessee Baptist mission offerings.

Registration is now open for the TBA's Journey to Sicily CLE program scheduled for April 2027. As the largest Mediterranean island, Sicily presents a deep historical and cultural relevance to mainland Italy and is home to splendid sites such as temples, chapels, mosaics and an active volcano. This immersive program will engage with local attorneys, scholars and experts offering poignant commentary on Italian and European Union legal and political systems, art, history, architecture and religion, all while highlighting welcoming communities and iconic cuisine! The core program, scheduled for April 3-7, 2027, is a four-night experience based in Palermo with multiple day trips. Travelers also have the opportunity to explore Catania and surrounding areas by adding on a three-night or four-night extension. View a brochure for the trip or learn more online. Space is extremely limited, so reserve your spot today! The early bird registration rate will expire July 15.

Free Legal Answers — the pro bono platform that allows clients to post legal questions online and receive answers from volunteer attorneys — is approaching its 10th anniversary and almost 500,000 questions answered. In an article published by the ABA Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section, Memphis lawyer and past TBA President Buck Lewis recaps the Tennessee origins of the platform and how it has expanded to 43 states nationally and several countries internationally. Lewis also highlights new and innovative capabilities, including an AI component, coming to the platform in the near future. Learn more in “Freelegalanswers.com: Then, Now, and Tomorrow” or in an interview Lewis gave to Memphis TV station WMC-TV, and watch for more information coming soon about how the ABA plans to celebrate these milestones.