Memphis attorney Charlotte Knight Griffin was sworn in today as the 146th president of the Tennessee Bar Association (TBA). The oath of office was administered by former Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Page during the TBA’s Annual Lawyers Luncheon. Knight Griffin began her career in private practice in Memphis after earning her law degree from the University of Tennessee (now Winston) College of Law. She joined Memphis Light, Gas and Water as a staff attorney in 1978 and was named the manager of legal services in 2000. She retired in April 2023 after 45 years of service. Knight Griffin has been active in the TBA for many years, most recently serving as president-elect, vice president, speaker of the House of Delegates and a member of the Board of Governors. She has been involved in legal organizations at the local, state and national levels and is a fellow in the Tennessee, Memphis and American bar foundations. Read more about her career in this press release.

During remarks following the swearing in, Knight Griffin spoke of her Memphis roots and pride in a profession that opens the doors of justice for all. During her year in office, Knight Griffin said she will focus on public education and access to justice initiatives, specifically increasing the involvement of senior and retired lawyers in pro bono representation. She also encouraged local bar associations, legal aid groups and courts to work with TBA to expand the state’s existing Pro Bono Emeritus Attorney Program. Finally, she announced a CLE Abroad trip to Sicily in April 2027. Several awards also were presented during the luncheon, and multiple lawyers were honored for their service to the TBA and the legal profession. Missed the luncheon? Watch it on TBA's YouTube channel.

Other events held today included the TBA Board of Governor's first meeting of the 2026-2027 bar year, the 2026 Leadership Law class' final program, the Young Lawyers Division's (YLD) Annual Meeting and two final CLE programs on wellness and time management. The Tennessee Lawyers Association for Women (TLAW) also held its Annual Meeting and the Tennessee Alliance for Black Lawyers (TABL) concluded its meetings of the week. The YLD will continue its meetings tomorrow, beginning with a wellness walk open to all at 7:30 a.m. EDT.

A federal lawsuit challenging Tennessee's new congressional map was voluntarily dismissed after plaintiffs failed to obtain a temporary injunction in May, the Daily Memphian reports. The suit was filed by a coalition of Democratic voters and congressional candidates, including state Rep. Justin J. Pearson, D-Memphis, and Democratic U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, who argued the map was enacted too close to the August primary elections to be properly implemented. The case was dismissed at the request of the plaintiffs. Separate lawsuits brought by the ACLU of Tennessee and the NAACP State Conference of Tennessee, which challenge the map on the grounds that it violates the 14th and 15th Amendments by diluting Black voting strength, remain pending.

Members of the Tennessee legal community met for the second day of the TBA Annual Convention in Knoxville today. The morning began with a Public Service Awards Breakfast featuring presentation of the Harris Gilbert Pro Bono Volunteer of the Year Award to Nashville attorney Garrah Carter-Mason, the Ashley T. Wiltshire Public Service Attorney of the Year to Jennifer Egelston with Legal Aid of East Tennessee, the Law Student of the Year Award to recent Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law graduate Sierra Sidoti, and the 2026 CASA Volunteer of the Year to Tracy Farmer with CASA of Williamson County. Tech-focused CLEs filled the programming portions of the morning followed by three Lunch & Learn sessions and the first-ever Tech Showcase. TBA's Leadership Law program kicked off its final programming of the bar year with class members hearing from Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Dwight Tarwater and Memphis lawyer and former TBA President Buck Lewis. The afternoon wrapped up with two favorite programs: the 2026 Legislative Update and a joint program with Tennessee Alliance for Black Lawyers (TABL). The day concluded with a reception at the new Smokies Stadium in downtown Knoxville. See pictures from today's events.

State Sen. Richard Briggs, R-Knoxville, and state Rep. Sam McKenzie, D-Knoxville, plan to work on changes to Tennessee's school book ban law after the local "Roots" controversy exposed problems in its application, Knox News reports. Briggs says he is concerned about the law causing confusion and wants to clarify how a local school board can step in. Tennessee's Age-Appropriate Materials Act in its current form does not outline who gets the final say, according to the paper. The legislators are reacting to a request from the Knox County Board of Education urging the state to look again at the law.

A law passed by the Tennessee General Assembly during the recent legislative session imposes a tax on international financial transfers. Months before the law is set to take effect, an association of financial technology institutions — which includes PayPal and SoFi — has filed a lawsuit that challenges its constitutionality. “This law raises taxes on Tennessee consumers, businesses, and non-profits, and contradicts recently passed federal law while also running afoul of the Foreign Commerce Clause in the U.S. Constitution,” Financial Technology Association President and CEO Penny Lee said. The Nashville Banner reports on the suit.

Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell announced that the city is filing a new lawsuit to block the state's latest attempt to control the airport authority's board of directors. Axios Nashville reports that the Metro Nashville Airport Authority Board also voted to join the litigation. The city is citing federal law, saying the FAA will not approve a change of sponsor if the current board does not consent to the change. The city’s fight on this issue dates back to 2023, when the state first passed legislation aimed at taking over the airport board. Metro sued to stop the takeover and won, and that ruling was unanimously upheld by the Tennessee Court of Appeals. The state challenged that decision and the Tennessee Supreme Court heard the case in February. In May, Gov. Bill Lee signed new legislation giving the state authority over the Nashville and four other airport authorities.

Knoxville businessman and University of Tennessee College of Law (UT Law) graduate James Nicholas "Nic" Arning died June 3 at age 79. Arning earned his law degree from UT Law in 1974. After passing the bar, he assisted friends and clients with wills and other legal matters and occasionally served as appointed pro bono counsel for those in need. Rather than practicing law full time, Arning used his legal training to help grow his family's business, Arning Insurance Agency. The family will receive friends on June 23 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. EDT at Rose Mortuary-Mann Heritage Chapel, 6200 Kingston Pike in Knoxville, followed by a graveside service at 2 p.m. at Edgewood Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Challenger Sports, c/o Knox Youth Sports, Lakeshore Park, 5908 Lyons View Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919.

Tennessee Attorney General (AG) Jonathan Skrmetti has announced the claims process for a multi-million dollar settlement with Metropolis Technologies Inc., following an investigation into its business practices in Tennessee. According to a press release, part of the settlement included millions of dollars in restitution for Tennessee consumers who were improperly charged by the company. The claims process for restitution payments opens today, and payments are expected to be made in early 2027. Some consumers will immediately begin receiving email notices with information about filing a claim to receive payment from the restitution. Eligible consumers need to provide documentation of violations to receive payment. To be eligible for payment, one must have paid for a parking session at a Metropolis parking lot in Tennessee between July 2021 and Jan. 6, 2026; were wrongfully overcharged, ticketed or booted; and have not previously received a refund from Metropolis. The electronic claim form and more information can be found on the settlement website.

The U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals recently heard arguments in a challenge to Tennessee’s ban on the recruitment of minors to obtain out-of-state abortions without parental consent. Courthouse News reports that state attorneys argued the law does not restrict access to abortion or violate free speech rights. The plaintiffs, state Representative Aftyn Behn, D-Nashville, and abortion rights attorney Rachel Welty, sued over the law on First Amendment grounds. Two federal judges agreed with them, finding the law punished speech based on the opinion or perspective of the speaker. Read more.

The Bessie Smith Cultural Center will host its 2026 Juneteenth Celebration on June 19 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT at the center in Chattanooga. The community event will feature live music, African drumming performances, food trucks, children's activities, opportunities to connect with local community organizations, free museum admission and screenings of the documentary "Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom." Admission to both the event and the museum will be free throughout the day.