Hamilton County Criminal Court Clerk Vince Dean introduced two new QR codes to streamline common courthouse processes. The first allows defendants with dismissed traffic citations to scan a code, complete expungement paperwork on their own time, and receive electronic notification when the process is complete — eliminating the need to wait in line. The second code guides defendants through the driver's license reinstatement process, also allowing paperwork to be filled out and submitted electronically at their convenience. Chattanoogan.com has the story.

Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law (LMU Law) recently announced that Brent Jones will join the faculty as a visiting assistant professor of law. Jones has served as an adjunct professor of trial advocacy at LMU Law since 2019. He most recently served as an assistant United States attorney for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Tennessee, where he prosecuted federal cases involving drug trafficking, firearms offenses and money laundering. Jones currently serves in the U.S. Air Force Reserve with the Office of Special Trial Counsel. Jones earned his law degree from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University. Read more in a press release from LMU Law.

The Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals heard oral arguments April 7 and 8 at the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. Judges John W. Campbell, Camille R. McMullen and Robert W. Wedemeyer sat for the court. “This year marks 50 years since my graduation from the Law School, and it was an honor to be back and to talk to students, faculty, and Dean Jim Strickland. Judge Campbell and I are both Memphis Law grads and we shared some of our law school memories with the students,” Wedemeyer said after the proceedings. The law school hosted the oral argument for the court while the Jackson courthouse undergoes renovations. The change of venue provided a unique opportunity for law students to observe the appeals process and ask questions of both the attorneys and the judges. Read more from the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) or watch the arguments on the AOC's Youtube channel.

Sumner County attorney Beth Angel Garrison received a censure from the Tennessee Supreme Court on April 15. A client hired Garrison to prepare an agreed order for reduction of his child support, to which the other parent had agreed. Garrison prepared the order and sent it to opposing counsel, who requested minor changes, but she failed to take any action for eight months until she was contacted by the client. At that time, she prepared the revised order and sent it to the client. After the client approved, however, Garrison failed to send the agreement to opposing counsel. The court found that Garrison violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3, 1.4 and 1.16.

More than 20 Tennessee counties are getting an extension on filing their federal taxes, according to an announcement from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Individuals, households and businesses in most of Middle Tennessee’s counties now have until May 22 to file their 2025 tax returns and scheduled payments. The extension was granted as part of federal disaster relief for the winter storm that impacted those areas in late January. No action is required to take advantage of the extended deadline. The IRS says that it automatically identifies taxpayers in those areas and “applies filing and payment relief.” View the IRS announcement for the full list of counties.

Tennessee lawyers will gather in June for the 2026 TBA Annual Convention, which will offer compelling CLE programming, networking opportunities and social events. This year's CLE lineup — which will offer 8.5 hours of credit — will focus on technology topics as part of TBA’s first-ever Tech Showcase. Programming kicks off Thursday morning with a session on evaluating technology needs and how AI products can fill the gaps, followed by a look at how technology can enhance trial presentations. Afternoon sessions will focus on conscious lawyering with AI, as well as a joint program with the Tennessee Alliance of Black Lawyers (TABL) on surveillance, safety and the cost of privacy. On Friday, don’t miss the wellness-focused Better Right Now program — back with a tech focus this year — and a presentation on how to use tech tools to master time management. Finally, TBA’s government relations team will present the ever-popular Legislative Update on Thursday afternoon. Stay tuned for more details and speakers coming soon. Learn more about this year’s Convention and register now!

Law Day, nationally recognized on May 1, will be celebrated at events across the state in the coming weeks. Belmont College of Law Dean Alberto Gonzalez will speak at the Nashville Bar Association's event on April 23 and at the Knoxville Bar Association's program on April 29. The Memphis Bar Association will host a barbecue on May 1, and the Chattanooga Bar Association has planned a luncheon for May 6, featuring keynote speaker Jean Becker, former chief of staff to former President George H. W. Bush. Finally, West Tennessee Legal Services (WTLS) and the Jackson-Madison County Bar Association will host their annual Law Day Celebration on May 1 with Joel Ebert and Erik Schelzig, authors of "Welcome to Capitol Hill: Fifty Years of Scandal in Tennessee Politics." The 2026 Law Day theme is “The Rule of Law and the American Dream.” The rule of law — the idea that no person is above the law — is what ensures the rights of the people to live their lives as freely as possible and to pursue their dreams, according to national event planners.

The Trial Court Vacancy Commission is currently accepting applications to fill a vacancy in the 1st Judicial District Criminal Court following the appointment of Judge Stacy Street to the appellate bench. Applicants must be Tennessee-licensed attorneys who are at least 30 years old and have been residents of the state for at least five years and residents of the judicial district, which covers Carter, Johnson, Unicoi and Washington counties. The public hearing for this position will be held June 4 at 9 a.m. EDT at the George P. Jaynes Justice Center, 108 West Jackson Blvd., Jonesborough 37659. More information, including application requirements, may be accessed on the Administrative Office of the Courts' (AOC) website. Applications must be received by noon CDT on May 6. Contact John Jefferson at the AOC at John.Jefferson@tncourts.gov or 615-741-2687 with questions.

On April 13, the Tennessee Supreme Court temporarily suspended Putnam County lawyer James Nathan Hargis from the practice of law. The court took the action after finding that Hargis misappropriated client and third-party funds and poses a threat of substantial harm to the public. He immediately is precluded from accepting new cases and must cease representing existing clients by May 13. The suspension will remain in effect until dissolution or modification by the court.

The Tennessee Supreme Court has upheld permanent disbarment of Knox County attorney Elliott J. Schuchardt. Beginning in 2019, the Board of Professional Responsibility (BPR) received complaints of professional misconduct by Schuchardt, including failure to comply with local rules and submission of legally deficient filings. The BPR also found that Schuchardt refused to provide a former client with his file and made threats to members of the legal community and the disciplinary counsel. It  recommended disbarment. Schuchardt appealed to the Knox County Chancery Court, which affirmed the recommendation. Schuchardt then appealed to the Tennessee Supreme Court, challenging the constitutionality of Tennessee’s attorney-discipline system and the evidence supporting his disbarment. The court rejected the challenge, concluding that the lower court decisions were supported by substantial evidence. Schuchardt's actions were determined to violate Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1, 1.3, 1.4(a)-(b), 1.5(b), 1.7(a)(1), 1.16(d), 3.2, 3.3(a)(1), 3.4(c), 4.2, 4.4(a)(1), 8.1(a), 8.2(a), 8.4(c) and 8.4(d). Read more in a press release or the opinion from the court.