Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti on Tuesday announced the official opening of the claims process to provide limited restitution to former patients of HRC Medical Centers, which deceptively advertised hormone therapy treatments. The Attorney General’s Office sued HRC in 2012, alleging the company made numerous misleading claims about its bioidentical hormone replacement therapy treatments. In 2017, the state obtained an $18 million judgment against HRC, and the office is now distributing the $1.5 million it has been able to collect to consumers harmed by the deception. Individuals who purchased treatments from HRC’s Tennessee locations in Nashville, Knoxville and Memphis may be eligible for restitution. More information about eligibility is available at this website. 

The Tennessee Supreme Court has ruled that the Quality Improvement Committee (QIC) privilege under state law is waivable. The decision came in a negligence lawsuit brought by Payton Castillo against CHI Memorial Hospital and other health care providers following the death of her husband. After his death, the hospital formed a QIC to evaluate the care he received and later disclosed QIC-protected information to Castillo during a meeting. When she sought to obtain those statements in discovery, the hospital argued they were privileged under the QIC statute, which shields records and statements related to QIC activities from disclosure. Both the trial court and the Court of Appeals found the information was discoverable, and the hospital appealed. The Tennessee Supreme Court held that while the disclosed information fell within the protections of the statute, the hospital waived its privilege by voluntarily sharing the information with Castillo.

Adams & Reese has announced the addition of attorneys Aubrey Harwell and Trey Harwell. They will be joined by two associates from the Neal & Harwell firm, which Aubrey co-founded in 1971. Trey will lead a new crisis management team at Adams & Reese, while Aubrey will lead the firm's white-collar criminal defense practice. Aubrey has practiced nationally in white-collar criminal defense for more than 50 years, while Trey has handled high-profile crisis management and major corporate matters for three decades. “The Harwell brand has been a staple in the Nashville legal community and beyond for over 50 years. We are honored to welcome Aubrey and Trey as they bring their practices to Adams & Reese,” Managing Partner Gif Thornton said in a press release. In an interview with the Nashville Business Journal, the Harwells discuss their decision to move firms and their excitement for the future and continuing to work together.

In this month’s episode of BarBuzz, TBA Executive Director Sheree Wright speaks with retired attorneys Jim Barry and Carl Seely about life after retirement, how retired legal professionals can continue serving their communities and ways to stay active during retirement. The conversation offers insights and inspiration for attorneys nearing the end of their legal careers or already in retirement. Past episodes of the BarBuzz podcast are available in the BarBuzz archive and the latest episode can be streamed directly here.

Make plans now to join colleagues from across the state at the TBA’s 2025 Annual Convention, set for June 11-14, at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs. In addition to compelling CLE programs and leadership meetings, multiple social and networking events will provide opportunities to connect with colleagues. The convention gets underway Wednesday and will feature a welcome reception that evening. Thursday will begin with the Public Service Breakfast and University of Tennessee College of Law Breakfast, continue with the annual Bench/Bar Luncheon, and wrap up with a Bench/Bar Reception that will feature food, drinks, trivia and other games. Get ready for some friendly competition between lawyers and judges! Friday will feature a breakfast buffet and the annual Lawyers Luncheon, which will include a look back at TBA President Ed Lanquist Jr.'s year in office and the swearing in of new president Heidi Barcus. All events are included with the full convention registration. Watch for more information about individual tickets, which will go on sale June 2, coming soon.

A pro bono opportunity included in yesterday’s issue of TBA Today incorrectly stated that a veterans clinic would be held in Knoxville this month. The next veterans clinic will take place on June 11. The clinic is held every other month on the second Wednesday from noon to 2 p.m. EDT at the Knox County Public Defender's Community Law Office, 1101 Liberty St., Knoxville 37919. Attorney and law student volunteers are always needed. Also in yesterday’s issue, the story about Nashville paying out settlement funds accidentally transposed the numbers in the amount. The metro government paid out $4.2 million in 2024.

Applications are now being accepted for the Legal Services Corporation’s (LSC) Basic Field Grant Program. Funds will be award in December for programs that begin in January 2026. Funds may be used to provide civil legal services to eligible clients. Learn more in the LSC’s request for proposals. The deadline for submitting applications is June 2. More information about eligibility guidelines is available on the LSC website.

Metro Nashville government this week released the breakdown of legal settlements paid in 2024, which totaled $4.2 million, a decrease from 2023. The Tennessean reports that all of the settlements were approved by either the Metro Nashville Council or the Metro Nashville Public Schools Board. Combined, the two groups approved 52 settlements in 2024; 40 of them — for a total of $2,854,408 — were approved through the council. Nineteen of the lawsuits were personal injury-related, 12 were for property damage, seven were Title IX-related, five were sidewalk settlements and the remaining nine were categorized as "other/negligence."

An investiture ceremony and reception for U.S. Magistrate Judge Mike Dumitru will take place June 13. The ceremony will be held at the federal courthouse in Chattanooga, followed by a reception at Chattanooga Whiskey. More details coming soon. Dimitru joined the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee in a private swearing in ceremony in January after serving as a Hamilton County circuit court judge.

Former State Rep. Jeremy Durham has been found guilty on two counts of driving under the influence and one count each of reckless endangerment, resisting arrest and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. He was found not guilty on a charge of felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The Tennessean reports that he faces up to six years in prison. Durham was expelled from the legislature after an investigation revealed he sent inappropriate text messages to several women. The Tennessee Attorney General's Office ultimately discovered that Durham had made lewd comments and had given inappropriate hugs to 22 women.