With the Tennessee General Assembly in the final days of the session, TBA's government relations team looks at the TBA bills that advanced during the 2026 session. All three measures passed the House and Senate. They will take effect on July 1.

HB2350/SB2165, drafted by the TBA Adoption Law Section and sponsored by Rep. Mary Littleton, R-Dickson, and Sen. Ferrell Haile, R-Gallatin, ensures that foster parents who have cared for a child for nine or more consecutive months receive from the Department of Children Services (DCS) a copy of any petition to terminate parental rights and access to relevant background and health information. The bill addresses situations in which foster parents lacked access to court filings and critical information and ensures they can make informed decisions with legal guidance. The legislation passed both chambers and was sent to Gov. Bill Lee on April 14. See the legislative history.

HB2429/SB2324, drafted by the TBA Family Law Section and sponsored by Rep. Andy Farmer, R- Sevierville, and Sen. Ferrell Haile, R-Gallatin, clarifies that the Families’ Rights and Responsibilities Act does not override other legal authority, authorizes juvenile courts to award attorney fees in child related disputes, permits temporary suspension of child support during dependency and neglect proceedings, and requires parent education in appropriate cases, including those involving unmarried parents. The bill has been signed by the governor. See the legislative history.

HB2451/SB2184, drafted by the TBA Probate Study Group and sponsored by Rep. Johnny Garrett, R- Goodlettsville, and Sen. John Stevens, R-Huntingdon, clarifies that the Tennessee Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act does not apply when property must be brought into a decedent’s estate to pay expenses, reinforcing that probate administration remains governed by probate law. The legislation also updates the elective share statute and makes conservatorship petition requirements mandatory. The bill has been signed by the governor. See the legislative history.

The latest episode of BarBuzz is out! In this installment, TBA Communications Coordinator Azya Thornton interviews fellow staff members Director of Education and Professional Development Jennifer Vossler and Senior Education and Professional Development Coordinator Jarod Word. They talk all things continuing legal education (CLE), from TBA's many online courses to the annual section forums. Thornton also talks with Estate Planning Section Chair Rob Malin and speaker Ashley Sterns at the section’s annual forum in March. Listen to this episode on the TBA’s website or directly here. Did you miss a past podcast episode? Catch up here. To access TBA's on demand CLE library or see upcoming events visit the CLE website.

The Trial Court Vacancy Commission is currently accepting applications to fill a vacancy in the 26th Judicial District Chancery Court following the elevation of the Steven W. Maroney to the appellate bench. Applicants must be an attorney licensed in Tennessee who is at least 30 years of age, a resident of the state for five years, and must reside in the judicial district, which covers Chester, Henderson and Madison counties. Applications should be submitted by noon CDT on May 6. Access the application and instructions on the court’s website. A public hearing with applicants for the position will be held June 10 at 9 a.m. CDT.

The Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands (LAS) has launched its 2026 Equal Justice Campaign, an annual effort to expand access to civil legal services for low-income individuals and families across the region. This year’s campaign has a goal of $2 million. Wendy Longmire, co-managing partner at Ortale Kelley, will serve as the 2026 campaign chair. Other campaign committee members are Ann Ralls Brown, Stites & Harbison; Blair Durham, Bart Durham Law; Elizabeth M. Adams, HCA Healthcare; Davidson County Circuit Court Judge Lynne Tyler Ingram; Julie Bhattacharya Peak, Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani; Kathy Pennington, H.G. Hill Realty Company; Pooja Bery, Bery Law; and Katherine Crosthwaite and Laura Niewold, community volunteers. The campaign's signature event, the Equal Justice Fall Gala, will be held Oct. 3 at 5 p.m. CDT. Read more about the campaign in this press release. Contact Christina Sanders at csanders@las.org with questions.

Retired Chancellor Richard E. Ladd Sr. died March 15 in Bristol at the age of 90. After graduating from the University of Tennessee (now Winston) College of Law, Ladd moved to Bristol and began practicing law in 1963. He spent the first 15 years of his career working as a trial lawyer. He then was appointed chancellor of the 2nd Judicial District in 1978. He served more than 30 years on the bench before retiring in 2010. Throughout his career, Ladd taught at the Tennessee Judicial Academy and served in various positions with the Tennessee Judicial Conference. He served as president of the conference from 1989-90. Watch an interview Ladd gave in 2010 for the Tennessee Bar Foundation Fellows' Legal History Project. The family intends to hold a private service but memorial donations may be made to the Dean Harold Warner Scholarship Fund at the University of Tennessee Winston College of Law or a charity of the donor’s choice.

The University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law and the Herff Chair of Excellence will host the 2026 Herff Conference on May 15 at the law school. This year’s theme, "Countervailing Power — Antimonopoly for Workers," will focus on the rise of antitrust litigation in the labor market, including looking at the underlying laws and the proof elements for a violation. The keynote address will be given by former Federal Trade Commission Commissioner Alvaro Bedoya. Lunch and a reception are included in the free program. Learn more online.

New York City-based criminal defense firm Meister, Seelig & Schuster has joined with Nashville firm Hodde & Associates to open a Nashville office. Kimberly S. Hodde will join the national firm as a partner, co-chair of the White Collar & Criminal Defense Group, chair of the National Criminal Defense Practice and managing partner of the Nashville office. Hodde, a graduate of the Nashville School of Law, has more than three decades of experience representing individuals and business clients in complex federal and state criminal matters. The firm, previously known as Meister Seelig & Fein, says it plans to expand the Nashville office by upwards of a dozen attorneys over the next few years. Other offices are located in Connecticut, California and New Jersey. Read more in a press release from the firm. The Nashville office will remain at 40 Music Square E., Nashville, TN 37203. It can be contacted at 615-242-4200.

Memphis lawyer John T. “Tim” Edwards died Feb. 24 at the age of 77. A 1976 graduate of the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, Edwards built a legal practice handling complex litigation involving professional negligence, product liability, serious personal injury, civil rights and class action cases. He was a partner at Ballin, Ballin & Fishman and a member of the Board of Trial Advocates, the American Association for Justice, and multiple state bar associations. He was board-certified in civil trial advocacy and civil pre-trial practice advocacy. A family celebration will be held in the mountains of Montana. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

The Tennessee Alliance for Black Lawyers (TABL) and the TBA Young Lawyers Division's (YLD) Diversity Committee will hold a networking mixer next week on April 30. The free event will run from 5:30-7:30 p.m. CDT at Burch Porter & Johnson, 130 N. Court Ave., Memphis 38103. Special thanks to the law firm for sponsoring this event. All are welcome but an RSVP is required by April 23. See a flyer for more information.

The city of Red Bank has called a special election on Aug. 6 to replace longtime Judge Johnny Houston, the Chattanooga Times Free Press reports. After 25 years on the bench, Houston stepped down from judicial duties due to a medical issue, according to a city spokesperson. The city has appointed attorney Bryan Hoss to serve as the active judge on a monthly basis. The special election will coincide with the federal, state and county elections on Aug. 6. Petitions to run for the seat must be filed by June 12 at noon EDT. Candidates must be at least 30 years old, a Tennessee licensed attorney in good standing and a resident of the city for at least a year.