President Donald Trump quickly reversed a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) decision to pause most U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) vehicle stops after expressing frustration with the policy, Axios reports. The temporary suspension, which lasted just a few hours, followed two fatal ICE shootings within a week and was intended to allow additional training for agents conducting vehicle stops. Trump publicly ended the pause, saying ICE officers should have all enforcement tools available, prompting DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin to resume the practice. According to the Associated Press, the shootings renewed scrutiny of ICE's enforcement tactics, prompting protests, calls for investigations and questions about the agency's use of force.

The Republican nominee for Shelby County sheriff is proposing the construction of a separate jail for misdemeanor offenders, nonviolent defendants, inmates with mental health needs and those requiring medical care, according to the Daily Memphian. Brad Less, a lieutenant with the Shelby County Sheriff's Office, said the existing Shelby County Jail should be reserved for individuals charged with violent crimes. He argues that a lower-security facility could improve access to treatment while reducing inmate transportation needs. Less, who faces Democratic nominee Anthony Buckner in the Aug. 6 general election to succeed term-limited Sheriff Floyd Bonner Jr., also voiced support for the Memphis Safe Task Force and said he would continue the sheriff's office's cooperation with federal immigration authorities as required under state law.

The mother of an Ole Miss football player who was shot and killed at a party in Cordova last year has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit, marking the second such lawsuit filed in recent days. According to the Daily Memphian, Chantrel Bernhart filed the suit Thursday in Shelby County Circuit Court, two days after the player’s father filed a similar claim. Corey Adams was attending a for-profit pool party in Memphis in 2025 when as many as 40 gunshots were fired. Five people, including Adams, were wounded in the shooting, which remains unsolved. Details of Bernhart’s lawsuit were not immediately available, but the suit names Calvin Wooten, the former owner of the Fern Glade Cove home, as a defendant. In a separate lawsuit, Adams' father is seeking at least $1 million in damages, plus punitive damages. That one names Wooten, along with his wife and son — who organized the party — as defendants.

Three attorneys are seeking to succeed retiring Johnson City Juvenile Court Judge Sharon Green in the Aug. 6 election. Candidates Dustin David Jones, Stephanie A. Sherwood and Lisa A. Witherspoon highlighted their experience in juvenile and family law and outlined priorities for the court during interviews with WJHL. Jones, a longtime family law attorney and current juvenile court magistrate, said he hopes to continue Green’s work by focusing on the individual needs of children and families while maintaining community safety. Sherwood, who has served 17 years as an associate municipal court judge, emphasized protecting children through initiatives such as Safe Baby Court and addressing dependency, neglect and delinquency cases. Witherspoon pointed to her nearly two decades of juvenile law practice and experience as a foster parent, saying she wants to connect children and families with resources. Early voting began July 17 and runs through Aug. 1, with Election Day set for Aug. 6.

The Tennessee Attorney General's (AG) Office is facing Meta in court as its challenge to the social media company's Instagram platform begins in Nashville. The Tennessean reports that the state sued Meta in October 2023, alleging Instagram is "unfairly and deceptively addictive and harmful, particularly to young people," and that the company violated the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act by engaging in unfair and deceptive business practices. The trial is expected to last six to seven weeks and include testimony from dozens of witnesses. Meta has denied allegations linking Instagram's design to poor teen mental health, pointing instead to safety features and arguing that any harms stem from user-generated content. The AG's office contends Instagram's design features and notification systems foster compulsive use among young people and that Meta failed to adequately warn users about the risks of exposure to sexual or self-harm-related content and potential mental health impacts. Tennessee is one of 42 states that filed lawsuits against Meta on the same day.

The TBA will offer a rebroadcast of its Convention 2026 program "Don't Outsource Your Mind: Conscious Lawyering with AI" on July 28 from noon to 1 p.m. CDT as part of this month's Christmas in July. The session will examine the ethical and practical considerations of using artificial intelligence (AI) in legal practice, including capabilities and limitations, recent case law involving AI in litigation and discovery, and attorneys' evolving professional responsibilities. Participants also will learn strategies for protecting client confidentiality, safeguarding sensitive information and reviewing AI-generated work while maintaining independent professional judgment. For more information and to register, visit the TBA website.

Davidson County lawyer Douglas Mitchell Kirk was reinstated to the practice of law on July 9 after being on inactive status since May 6, 2021. Kirk filed a petition seeking reinstatement, which the Board of Professional Responsibility found to be satisfactory. The court issued its order on July 17.

Effective July 20, the Tennessee Supreme Court permanently disbarred Williamson County lawyer Connie Lynn Reguli from the practice of law. The court found that Reguli engaged in a pattern of misconduct, including posting “hyperbolic commentary” on social media containing false allegations about judges and judicial officials, publicly disclosing personal information of judges and justice system officials, urging social media followers to send judges harassing messages, intimidating judges and justice system officials, spreading disinformation and conspiracy theories, and defying court orders. The court determined that her public comments indicated she wished physical harm to judges and justice system officials, prompting them to fear for their and their families’ safety. In addition, the court found that Reguli defied a protective order and an Amber Alert and enabled a client to evade law enforcement by supplying a burner phone and hiding the client and her child inside her home. These actions violated Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct 1.2(d); 3.1; 3.3(a)(1), (e) and (f); 3.4(c); 3.5(a) and (e); 3.6(a); 4.2 or 4.3; 4.4(a)(1); 5.1; 8.1; 8.2(a)(1) and (2); and 8.4(a), (c) and (d). Read more about the circumstances leading to disbarment in a press release from the Administrative Office of the Courts or read the Supreme Court opinion.

The TBA Mentoring Committee, in partnership with the TBA Young Lawyers Division (YLD), held its inaugural "Sandwiches & Sidebars" event in the new TBA office in Nashville. Law students and members of the YLD and YLD Fellows enjoyed casual conversation and worked to expand their social network and build relationships in this laid-back setting. The event will be held quarterly in Nashville and the committee plans on holding "Sandwiches & Sidebars" in different cities across the state in the near future. See a photo from the event. For more information about the mentoring committee and other meet-ups visit the TBA Mentoring Committee's webpage.

On July 17, Sevier County lawyer Robert Brandon White received a public censure from the Board of Professional Responsibility. The board found that White violated the terms of a no contact order in a personal domestic matter, missed four scheduled court dates in different courts and did not provide notice to the court or opposing counsel, resulting in one notice to show cause and multiple rescheduled hearing dates. His actions were determined to violate Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3, 3.4 and 8.4(b), (d) and (g).