Former Judge Bernard "Bernie" Weinman died April 20 at age 92. He earned his law degree from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law in 1961 and, after five years in practice, was appointed by Mayor William B. Ingram as a judge of the Memphis City Courts, becoming the youngest and first Jewish judge on the court. During his tenure, he served as chief administrative judge, instituted new programs and advocated for indigent defendants. Elected to the Shelby County Criminal Court in 1974, he served as Division II judge for 30 years, presiding over high-profile cases and issuing rulings including a case of first impression, later affirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court, allowing victim impact statements in capital sentencing hearings. After retiring, he served as an assistant disciplinary counsel for the Tennessee Court of the Judiciary, on the Shelby County Civil Service Commission and practiced with his son at Weinman and Associates. A funeral was held at Temple Israel on April 23. Donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis.

The Tennessee Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board will hear oral arguments in three cases in Nashville on June 9. The cases include Howell v. 501K Recycling, involving a dispute over additional medical treatment for an alleged work-related aggravation of a preexisting condition; Torres Atunez v. MG Dyess Inc., addressing whether an employee’s misrepresentation of identity voided an employment contract; and Harris v. Express Services, which considers issues related to a willful misconduct defense and medical benefits. The arguments will be held in-person in Nashville at the Tennessee Supreme Court, 401 7th Ave. N, Nashville 37219, starting at 1 p.m. CDT. The docket is available online.

If you plan to attend the 2026 TBA Convention but have not yet booked your hotel, time is running out! The TBA hotel room block at the Crowne Plaza Knoxville will close May 8 at 5 p.m. EDT. Book now to take advantage of our special discounted rate. Can't make it to the full convention? Join colleagues on June 11 for TBA's first-ever Tech Showcase. Day passes for Thursday are now available online.

The Tennessee Supreme Court issued an order on April 30 directing that Washington County attorney Jeffrey Dennis Johnson will be reinstated to the active practice of law on May 1. Johnson was suspended by the court for two years on April 1, with 30 days to be served on active suspension and the remainder on probation subject to conditions. During the probationary period, Johnson must employ a practice monitor and repay all costs of the disciplinary proceeding.

The Tennessee Supreme Court placed Davidson County lawyer Courtney Michelle Rogers Perrin on disability inactive status on April 29. Rogers Perrin may not practice law while on inactive status and must comply with the obligations and responsibilities of attorneys transferred to disability inactive status. She may return to the active practice of law by filing a petition and obtaining a court order granting the petition.

The TBA today filed comments with the Tennessee Supreme Court on potential regulatory reform of the state’s legal profession. The comments respond to the court’s call for feedback on seven potential regulatory reforms to increase access to legal representation while also ensuring the competency of attorneys and safeguarding the public. Over the past seven months, the TBA has provided a range of opportunities for members of the legal community to share their thoughts on these possible changes. In announcing the filing of TBA’s comments, President Heidi Barcus thanked all those who participated. “The TBA is grateful for the thoughtful and insightful feedback shared by lawyers across the state during this process. Whether through emails to the TBA's Legal Access & Regulatory Reform Task Force, submissions to TBA’s survey or attendance at six virtual town hall meetings, your input greatly assisted the task force and Board of Governors in developing the comments that were filed today.” Read the TBA's comments or learn more about the issues under consideration.

The Tennessee Supreme Court will hear oral arguments for its May docket in Knoxville on May 6. The proceedings will take place at the Tennessee Supreme Court building and be livestreamed on the court’s YouTube page. The court will hear two cases — Timothy Allen Curtis and Tammy Curtis Webb, as next of kin of Virginia Curtis ex rel. Bruce Allen Curtis v. Tiffany L. Sharp et al. and James W. Grubb et al. v. Joe D. Grubb et al. — beginning at 9 a.m. EDT and two cases — Emily Elizabeth Buckner v. Complete Wellness Chiropractic Center et al. and In re Nathaniel D. — beginning at 1:30 p.m. EDT. Read more about the cases from the Administrative Office of the Courts.

The 1st Judicial District Court today announced the death of Dr. Mary Langenbrunner, who had been director of the court's clinic since its inception 18 years ago. In a statement, Circuit Court Judge James Edwin "Eddie" Lauderback said Langenbrunner “had an incredible heart for helping people and families, and with the assistance of former Judge Jean Stanley, was instrumental in helping create the Court Clinic. She helped many families mediate their issues, often on a pro bono basis. Please keep her two sons and the rest of her family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”

The Tennessee Department of Revenue has announced that winter storm survivors who receive individual assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) also may be eligible for a state tax refund on certain items purchased to replace or repair damaged property. The Natural Disaster Sales Tax Refund program provides eligible residents with a refund of up to $2,500 on appliances, furniture and building supplies, according to News 5. Survivors may file a claim within one year of their FEMA decision letter. Learn more on the department’s website or access the claim form.

Nashville lawyers Erik Halvorson and J. Hunter Robinson, both with Bradley, will receive the TBA's prestigious Justice Joseph W. Henry Award for Outstanding Legal Writing on June 12 during the association's Annual Convention in Knoxville. The award, which will be presented at the Lawyers Luncheon, was established more than 40 years ago and is given each year to the lawyer who writes the most outstanding article published in the Tennessee Bar Journal for the preceding year. Halvorson and Robinson are being honored for their article One Domino Falls: Tennessee Supreme Court Reshapes Foreclosure Claims, which appeared in the March/April 2025 issue of the Journal.

In announcing the selection of Halvorson and Robinson, TBA President Heidi Barcus. said, “This winning article took a complex ruling from the Tennessee Supreme Court and, in straightforward and concise language, explained the consequences for both mortgage-related and non-mortgage-related litigation in Tennessee. This is the kind of writing the Joe Henry Award was created to recognize.” The award is named for Joseph W. Henry, a former chief justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court, who was known for his forthright and clear writing. Read more in a press release from the TBA.