Spencer Fane, which has offices in Hendersonville and Nashville, will merge with the Southwest firm Conner & Winters, according to a news release from the firm. The deal will expand the firm by 75 lawyers and add offices in Tulsa and Northwest Arkansas. The firm says the move reflects industry trends in which clients are looking for larger firms that can handle a higher volume of complex work across multiple locations. Law.com has more on the merger.

The American Bar Association (ABA) Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility released a formal opinion on April 8 clarifying the ethical obligations of lawyers who possess information that could lead to a judge’s disqualification. Opinion 522 establishes that a lawyer’s role as an officer of the court requires the disclosure of such information to protect the integrity of the judicial process, provided disclosure does not violate client confidentiality. The rule “reinforces the principle that the legal profession bears a collective responsibility for the appearance of impartiality,” according to the committee. Read more in a press release.

On April 7, Hawkins County lawyer Emily Cross Morley received a public censure from the Tennessee Supreme Court. Morley was hired to represent a client after a petition to recover personal property was filed against the client. The court found that Morley failed to notify the client of the trial date, which led to the court entering a judgement in favor of the opposing side in September 2024. The Supreme Court also found that Morley failed to communicate with the client about the outcome of the trial and judgment entered for 13 months. These actions were deemed to violate Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3, 1.4, 3.2 and 8.4.

The TBA Access to Justice Committee is accepting nominations for the 2026 Public Service Awards through next Friday. The annual awards recognize outstanding commitment to access to justice in three categories: work performed by an attorney employed by an organization primarily involved in providing legal representation to the indigent, pro bono work performed by a private or corporate attorney, and a strong commitment to pro bono service by a Tennessee law student or recent graduate. Awards will be presented during the TBA Annual Convention in June. Submit nominations by April 17 on the TBA website.

A list of those who passed the February 2026 Tennessee bar exam is now available. Those who meet all licensing requirements will be sworn in at events across the state in early June. Ceremonies are set for June 2 at 9 a.m. EDT at the Supreme Court Building in Knoxville; June 2 at 2 p.m. CDT at the Supreme Court Building in Nashville; June 3 at 9 a.m. CDT at the Shelby County Courthouse in Memphis; June 3 at 1:30 p.m. CDT in Jackson (location to be determined); and June 4 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. CDT for two virtual ceremonies. Watch for statistics from this spring's exam coming soon. Access information for test takers on the Board of Law Examiner's website. Download the list in pdf format.

Jefferson County lawyer Agnes Sipple Trujillo received a censure from the Tennessee Supreme Court on April 7. The court found that while handling an appeal, Trujillo failed to (1) file the trial transcript with the appellate court; (2) request an extension to file a response to two dismissal motions — which resulted in the client’s case being dismissed; (3) provide the client with copies of pleadings; and (4) notify the client that the case was dismissed. The court also found that the fee Trujillo charged was not reasonable based on the legal services provided. Finally, the court found that Trujillo did not return the file to the client, which hindered his ability to obtain alternate counsel. These actions violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1, 1.3, 1.4(a), 1.5(a), 1.15(d) and 8.4(d).

Rutherford County lawyer David Bennett LaRoche received a censure from the Tennessee Supreme Court on April 7. The court reports that LaRoche received a private reprimand on July 30, 2025, for violations of Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1, 1.3, 1.4 and 1.16. The court also ordered him to refund $500 of a client’s money. The court now has found that LaRoche failed to meet the condition of his private reprimand, did not refund the client’s money and failed to respond to a lawful demand for information from the disciplinary counsel concerning the matter. The censure was imposed for violations for Rules of Professional Conduct 3.1, 8.1 and 8.4.

At its recent spring meeting, the TBA Board of Governors voted to fill two vacancies on the board. Filling the open seat for the Western Grand Division governor will be Geoffrey Lewis, associate general counsel at Memphis Light, Gas & Water. Lewis previously was in private practice and an assistant city prosecutor for the City of Memphis. He also serves in the TBA House of Delegates and as co-chair of the Leadership Law program. Filling the open seat of 7th District governor will be Joshua Dougan with Dougan Law and Mediation in Jackson. Dougan previously was active with the Young Lawyers Division, assisting with the Wills for Heroes program and serving on the Mock Trial Committee. He recently transitioned from the 26th Judicial District Attorney’s office to his own private practice. Both will take office at the board’s June meeting to be held conjunction with the TBA Annual Convention.

Tennessee lawmakers on Tuesday approved a $100 million state disaster fund intended to provide assistance to local governments and individuals when Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) aid falls short, Fox 43, reports. The bill, SB2232/HB2543, now heads to Gov. Bill Lee’s desk. The measure would establish the Governor’s Response and Recovery Fund. The fund, administered by the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, would provide grants and low- or no-interest loans for eligible recovery costs. Bill sponsor Rep. Tim Hicks, R-Gray, said the fund is intended to address smaller-scale disasters that do not meet Federal Emergency Management Agency thresholds. The legislation also outlines eligibility requirements for local governments and individuals, including proof of need and residency. Lawmakers raised questions about whether the funding will be sufficient and debated provisions such as the lawful residency requirement for aid, but the bill ultimately passed with broad support in both chambers. The governor proposed the fund in March.

Don't forget to renew your Tennessee Bar Association membership for 2026-2027? Online renewal is now open to continue your access to TBA Today, the Tennessee Bar Journal, three free hours of CLE, resources for starting and building a new firm and free legal research tool, as well as savings on a range of products and services. Be sure to check out TBA's new pro bono portal, solo health insurance plan and expanded discounts on travel. Attorneys not participating in the TBA's firm billing program can log in and renew through their MyTBA dashboard. The TBA membership team will be working with firm administrators for those participating in firm billing so check with your firm administrator if you have questions about that process.