West Tennessee Legal Services (WTLS) is in urgent need of volunteer attorneys to take on conservatorship cases for low-income clients across the region. There are currently a number of cases awaiting representation. Volunteer lawyers can make a meaningful difference in the lives of vulnerable Tennesseans who have no other avenue for legal assistance. Cases are available to fit a variety of schedules and preferences — some require in-person appearances in Memphis, while others can be handled entirely virtually, making it easy to give back. Experienced probate attorneys or those willing to learn are welcome to volunteer. WTLS will provide the support and resources needed to succeed. To take a case or learn more visit the TBA Pro Bono Portal and select the "Guardianship & Juvenile" section.

Greeneville attorney Curt Collins has been appointed Greene County Juvenile Court magistrate by Greene County General Sessions and Juvenile Court Judge Kenneth Bailey, replacing David Leonard, who died in January. A part-time appointment, Collins will hold court on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Collins said, “I am humbled and honored to serve in the position previously held by my mentors, Magistrate Dave Leonard and Judge Bailey. I cannot fill the void left by the passing of Judge Leonard, but I pledge to seek justice and deal respectfully with all who are before me." Collins is a founding partner at Collins Shelton Blair & Wright PLLC in Greeneville. The Greeneville Sun has more.

FBT Gibbons, formerly Frost Brown Todd, will undergo a major office renovation, expanding its footprint to include the full 19th floor and a part of the 18th floor for a collective 35,876 feet. The Nashville Post reports that the firm has extended its lease through October 2037 at SoBro’s Symphony Place, 150 Third Ave. S., where it has operated since 2012. “Over the years, we’ve had a front‑row seat to Nashville’s remarkable growth, and this extension reflects our decision to double down on the market with space that allows us to grow significantly from here,” Brian Masterson, partner-in-charge, said in a press release.

Rogersville attorney Mark Stapleton was sworn in as 3rd Judicial District Circuit Court judge last Thursday. Judge John Dugger Jr. administered the oath. Stapleton was appointed by Gov. Bill Lee to fill a vacancy created by the elevation of Judge William Phillips to the Court of Appeals. The Citizen Tribune reports that Stapleton pledged to his future litigants that he will come to court every day ready to be fair, honest and respectful. “We’re gonna demand the same thing in our court rooms,” he said. “It’s a professional place to be and we’re going to treat it as such.” Stapleton has said he plans to run for the bench in the August primary and serve at least through the November general election.

Late Friday afternoon, Gov. Bill Lee called a special session of the Tennessee General Assembly to begin Tuesday to consider redrawing the state’s congressional districts. According to the Nashville Banner, the move follows calls from President Donald Trump and U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn to revisit the maps after a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision affecting the Voting Rights Act. Lee said the legislature has a responsibility to ensure districts remain “fair, legal and defensible.” The proposal could target Tennessee’s Memphis-based 9th Congressional District, the state’s only remaining Democratic-controlled district, and would come after the qualifying deadline for congressional primaries has already passed. In a separate 2022 case, the Tennessee Supreme Court warned that delaying election timelines to accommodate redistricting could risk voter confusion and undermine the integrity of state elections, according to the paper.

A man accused of killing Belmont University student Jillian Ludwig pleaded guilty Monday ahead of trial, the Tennessean reports. Shaquille Taylor pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and to five counts of aggravated assault in a separate case and will serve a total sentence of 38 years. Ludwig was fatally struck by a stray bullet near campus in November 2023. Taylor had initially faced felony murder and evidence tampering charges, and questions about his competency to stand trial had been raised prior to the plea. Ludwig’s death later prompted the passage of a 2024 state law requiring defendants found incompetent to stand trial for a felony to be committed to a mental health facility for treatment and prohibiting them from possessing firearms.

A $7.4 billion settlement with Purdue Pharma and its owners, the Sackler family, has taken effect, resolving years of litigation over their role in the opioid crisis and directing funds to states, communities and victims nationwide. Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti announced in a press release that Tennessee is expected to receive approximately $122.4 million as part of the agreement, which follows a multistate investigation launched in 2016 and Tennessee’s 2018 lawsuit against Purdue. The settlement, reached after the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated key provisions of a prior deal in 2024, permanently bars the Sacklers from selling opioids in the United States and provides funding for addiction treatment, prevention and recovery efforts over the next 15 years. It also requires the release of millions of documents related to Purdue’s opioid business and transfers the company’s operations to a new entity, Knoa Pharma LLC, which will be subject to independent oversight.

Lawmakers are seeking to fill the late state Rep. G.A. Hardaway’s vacant seat in the Tennessee House of Representatives before the legislature returns for a special session Tuesday, the Daily Memphian reports. Hardaway, D-Memphis, died April 24, but his District 93 seat is not officially vacant unless Gov. Bill Lee issues a writ of election. Under normal circumstances, that action would trigger a special election if the next general election were at least 12 months away; however, because the next general election is in November, the Shelby County Board of Commissioners would instead vote to appoint a replacement per the state constitution, according to the paper. Hardaway represented approximately 71,000 Tennesseans in the state House.

Metro Nashville has filed a motion in Davidson County Circuit Court alleging it effectively has been subsidizing state government by more than $5 million annually due to the continued housing of individuals already sentenced in criminal court, WPLN reports. The Davidson County Sheriff’s Office typically houses people awaiting trial, but once sentenced to state custody, those individuals are to be transferred to the Tennessee Department of Correction. Metro’s filing includes motions asking the department to explain in court why it has not complied with sentencing orders in 10 separate cases.

Young lawyers should make plans now to connect with colleagues during the 2026 Annual Convention, set for June 10-13 at the Crowne Plaza Downtown Knoxville. The TBA Young Lawyers Division (YLD) will hold events throughout the week, including the swearing-in of incoming president Jennifer Sneed-Perry and the presentation of annual awards by current president Alex McVeagh. The CASA award, recognizing outstanding service, will be presented during the Public Service Breakfast by Middle Tennessee Governor Alix Rogers. A celebration on Friday evening will include a Gavel Pass and Champagne Toast held in conjunction with the Tennessee Bar Foundation, a graduation ceremony for members of this year's Diversity Leadership Institute, and the induction of new TBA YLD Fellows. Finally, the YLD will hold its Annual Membership Meeting on Friday afternoon and the YLD Board will meet on Saturday to plan for the upcoming bar year. Don't miss these opportunities to connect and celebrate the year ahead. See the full schedule on the Convention webpage.