Knox County District Attorney Charme Allen on Monday announced that two Knoxville police officers were justified in the shooting of Christopher Arons in late 2024 after Arons charged at them holding an axe. According to KnoxNews, Allen wrote that she had reviewed evidence collected by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the "force utilized in this incident amounted to a necessary response to thwart the threat involved." Arons survived the shooting and is charged with aggravated assault, domestic assault and vandalism.

Davidson County Chancellor Anne Martin on Monday ruled that Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell's transit plan could go forward. Voters approved the $3.1 billion plan nearly two-to-one in November. The Tennessean reports that the plan outlines major changes to the city’s bus systems, sidewalks and traffic signals over several years, funded by a sales tax increase from 9.25% to 9.75% and other sources like grants. Former Metro Council member Emily Evans and the opposition group she formed, Committee to Stop an UnFair Tax, had filed the lawsuit to block the plan and its accompanying half-cent-per-dollar sales tax before the tax increase goes into effect Feb. 1.

The Tennessee Commission on Children & Youth recently released its 2024 annual report, which finds the average cost of infant child care centers in Tennessee — at just over $13,000 per year — is now higher than in-state tuition at almost all of the state's public universities. That figure has steadily increased over the past five years, as has Tennessee's child poverty rate, despite a slight decline in child poverty nationwide. The study also found that more than half of Tennessee’s children are covered by TennCare; that since 2017, all measures of suicidal ideation have increased among Tennessee high school students; and that from April 2023 to March 2024, Tennessee had 5,026 children enter foster care, a rate of 3.20 per 1,000. Access the full report and data highlights here.

A three-judge panel from the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday ruled that Tennessee's new age verification law — which requires websites with content deemed "harmful to minors" to verify the age of each user — can take effect while a legal challenge to it continues. The decision overturns Chief U.S. District Court Judge Sheryl Lipman's decision in early January to block the law, citing free speech protections. Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti released a statement in response, saying, “We’re glad that the unanimously-passed Protect Tennessee Minors Act remains in effect while this case proceeds ... [T]his law seeks to stem the flow of toxic content to kids and keep adult websites adults-only.” The Associated Press has the story.

The 114th Tennessee General Assembly has been gaveled into session with Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, being reelected speaker of the Senate and Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, reelected speaker of the House. The Tennessean reports that the House Select Committee on Rules convened later to discuss proposed changes to the rules. Ahead of the meeting, proposed rules changes included limiting the number of bills each member may introduce to 10 (down from 15), and a “three-strikes” rule proposing to permanently ban members of the public found to be disruptive from the gallery. In other organizational moves, the Senate is expected to name committee assignments on Thursday.

The University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law recently announced the development and funding of the David Pickler Dean’s Professorship at the law school, thanks to a donation of $250,000 from law school alumnus and Memphis-area attorney David Pickler. The gift will be 100% matched by the University of Memphis through a grant received from the state of Tennessee as part of Gov. Bill Lee’s efforts to support the retention of the University of Memphis’ Carnegie R-1 designation. According to a press release from the law school, the $500,000 endowment will allow the school and the dean to support both students and faculty, and presents the dean with additional funds necessary to assist with priority items throughout the year, in perpetuity.

Newly appointed 22nd Judicial District Circuit Court Judge Jessica Parrish, who was sworn in Aug. 5, 2024, describes herself as a reader and analytical thinker since childhood. Although those are great traits for the legal profession, she had no idea what she wanted to pursue until attending a summer school program. “I went to Junior Statesmen of America Summer School when I was in high school,” says Parrish. “I got to go to the capitol, the embassy and take government classes at Georgetown University. I remember coming home and telling my family ‘I think I want to become a lawyer.’” From that point forward, she was headed straight to law school. Parrish succeeds retired Circuit Court Judge David Allen. Read more about her career in this profile from the Administrative Office of the Courts.

Join TBA Young Lawyers Division President Sean Aiello on April 16 at noon CDT for the next installment of the Rookie Series. Focusing on the complexities of criminal and civil contempt, this online presentation will address recent developments, pitfalls and practical application of the contempt process with a focus on the interplay with domestic relations statutes. Get more information or register for the webcast. Looking for other introductory CLE programs? Check out the full roster of Rookie Series offerings.

Belmont Law is seeking volunteers for a power of attorney (POA) clinic at Casa Azafrán on Jan. 18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. CST. Morning and afternoon shifts are available, and lunch will be provided. Volunteers will assist clients in filling out powers of attorney for care of a minor child alongside two Belmont law students and will be paired with a translator. Five or more volunteers are needed for both the morning and afternoon shifts. To help, email Ginny.Blake@belmont.edu. This clinic originally had been scheduled for Saturday but was postponed due to inclement weather.

The Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands (LAS) will host a free legal clinic in Gallatin on Jan. 14 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. CST. The event offers free consultations with an attorney and is open to low-income individuals with civil legal issues. The clinic is walk-in only, and no pre-registration is required. It will take place at 210 Albert Gallatin Ave., Gallatin 37066. For more information, visit the LAS website.