Attorney and legal ethics speaker Stuart Teicher will present “Shakira, Secrets and Scandals: Attorney Ethics and the World of Offshore Deals” on July 17. The one-hour webcast will explore the ethical pitfalls surrounding high-profile offshore financial schemes. Drawing on revelations from the Panama, Pandora and Paradise Papers, the session will examine legal and professional conduct issues tied to tax avoidance, asset protection and the role of attorneys in questionable financial structures. Topics will include lawyer supervision, responsibility for nonlawyer staff, confidentiality, advising on unlawful conduct and duties of candor and truthfulness. For more information and to register visit the TBA website.

Former state Sen. Frank Niceley died Thursday at the age of 78. Niceley, a Republican, served in the Tennessee General Assembly for decades, holding seats in both the House and Senate between 1988 and 2025. He represented the 8th District, which includes Claiborne, Grainger, Hancock, Hawkins, Jefferson and Union counties. Visitation will take place from 2 to 5 p.m. EDT on June 28 at Bridges Funeral Home in Knoxville followed by a memorial service at 5 p.m. In a statement to 10News, Lt. Gov. Randy McNally remembered Niceley’s wit, saying, “He had a great sense of humor. He served in both the Senate and the House. He said serving in the House was like being in junior high school and serving in the Senate was like being in a nursing home.”

On June 16, Investigative Services Detectives responded to the Hamilton County Courthouse for a report of harassing phone calls. Detectives were provided numerous voicemails that were threatening in nature from an individual identified as Darrell Brackett. The threats were made against multiple judges. Through the course of the investigation, detectives developed probable cause and applied for warrants to arrest Brackett, charging him with four counts each of harassment, aggravated stalking and terrorism, as well as one count of retaliation for past actions against a judge, according to the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office (HCSO). Brackett was arrested without incident the next day at his Cleveland residence during a joint operation involving HCSO detectives, SWAT personnel and the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office. Brackett was transported to the Hamilton County Jail and Detention Center. No further details were released.

The Tennessee Department of Revenue will host a free webinar on June 24 to discuss how to properly close a registered business. Failure to properly close a business with the department could result in an assessment for delinquent taxes, penalties and interest after the business has ceased operations. The session will discuss requirements and best practices regarding business ownership changes and closure. Register for the webinar or see all upcoming educational events from the department.

Mississippi lawyer Justin Wade Sweat was reinstated to the practice of law in Tennessee on June 11. He had been on inactive status since May 14, 2018. The Board of Professional Responsibility reported that his petition for reinstatement was satisfactory. The Tennessee Supreme Court issued the order on June 13.

Nashville’s Metro Council approved the city spending plan Tuesday night. The $3.8 billion budget marks an increase of roughly 15% over last year’s, which is largely tied to a property tax increase. The adopted plan is an altered version of what the mayor proposed this spring, according to WPLN. Led by Budget Chair Delishia Porterfield, the plan left the total cost and tax rate of the mayor’s proposal untouched, while increasing funds for Metro employee pay. The remaining amount is earmarked for items like maternal health programs, food assistance, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Metro Parks, emergency youth shelters and a museum study.

Last month, the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law hosted the investiture of one of its own graduates, the Hon. Valerie Smith, who was sworn in by Gov. Bill Lee. Smith recently was appointed by Lee to serve on the Tennessee Court of Appeals for the Western Division. She fills a vacancy left by the retirement of fellow Memphis Law graduate Judge Arnold Goldin. See photos of the ceremony on the law school’s Facebook page. 

FEMA has announced that President Donald Trump approved federal disaster assistance to support recovery efforts in areas of the state affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding in April. The president’s action makes federal funding available to individuals in Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Dyer, Hardeman, McNairy, Montgomery, Obion and Wilson counties. Assistance may include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-interest loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the disaster’s impact. Federal funding also is available on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and infrastructure repairs in 19 counties, according to FEMA's press release. Individuals and business owners in the designated areas should first file claims with their insurance providers, then apply for assistance by registering at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362.

The 2025 Federal Practice Forum will take place on July 15 and will feature essential and practical content for attorneys. More details about the program will be announced soon on the TBA website.

Tennessee’s unemployment rate held steady at 3.5% in May and continues to remain below the national rate, according to the latest data from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged from April, while the national rate stood at 4.2% in May. Total nonfarm employment in Tennessee decreased by 1,800 jobs between April and May, with the largest declines occurring in the professional and business services sector, followed by financial activities and trade, transportation and utilities.