Former state commissioner Christi Branscom has rejoined Knoxville-based Partners Development as principal, general counsel and managing broker, the Nashville Post reports. Branscom previously served as commissioner of the Tennessee Department of General Services for nearly six years. During her tenure, the department undertook renovations at the John Sevier State Office Building and the Tennessee State Library and Archives building and opened several facilities at state parks. Branscom earned a bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Tennessee and a law degree from the University of Memphis School of Law.

The Tennessee Supreme Court has transferred the law license of Davidson County lawyer Steven Lee Lefkovitz to disability inactive status. Lefkovitz may not practice law while on disability inactive status. He may return to the practice of law after reinstatement by the Tennessee Supreme Court by showing that the disability has been removed.

Do you have questions about how Tennessee's system of indigent representation works? Have you had experience as an appointed attorney that you would like to share? TBA's Government Affairs team wants to hear directly from members on issues that impact their work and the larger legal community. There are a few ways you can connect with TBA to share your questions and experiences with indigent representation. Attorneys interested in learning more about TBA's grassroots advocacy efforts can sign up for TBA Grassroots Advocacy Updates, which will highlight related policy content across all of TBA's communication platforms. For attorneys with experience working with clients who are indigent or vulnerable, we invite you to complete this survey, which includes specific questions about court appointed representation. More information is available on our Indigent Representation Resource page.

The 2026 election for Knox County mayor has narrowed with Knox County Criminal Court Clerk Mike Hammond withdrawing from the race for the Republican nomination. Knox News reports that he instead will seek reelection as court clerk. That decision leaves Knox County Commissioner Larsen Jay, a Republican, as the only mayoral candidate so far. Hammond said he wants to focus be on his present role, where he says his team has “made wide-ranging improvements to benefit the court system and [the] citizens." Hammond, who served as a Knox County Commissioner from 2004-2014, was diagnosed in August with early-stage prostate cancer, which he says is treatable.

The U.S. federal judiciary this week issued warnings urging lawyers to beware of emails mimicking notifications of electronic court filings in cases they are handling. Reuters reports that the emails seek to lure recipients to a malicious website with computer viruses. Law firms and lawyers nationwide have received fake notices that purport to come from the federal judiciary but are actually phishing attempts, the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts said. Read the notice from the office.

Though Memphis residents voted overwhelmingly in favor of gun reform on Tuesday, the measures will not go into effect unless state law is changed. The Commercial Appeal reports that the measures were written as “trigger laws,” which will only take effect if state legislators change the law or carve out an exception for Memphis. According to the Daily Memphian, Memphis City Council Chairman JB Smiley Jr. says the council should approve the measures and have an ordinance on the books should state law change.

The first bill filed ahead of Tennessee's 2025 legislative session is a revival of Gov. Bill Lee's plan for a statewide expansion of school vouchers, Axios reports. House Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland, and Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson, R-Franklin, introduced HB1/SB1 respectively yesterday. This year’s version of the bill also includes teacher bonuses and a funding guarantee for public schools, according to the Nashville Banner. "This bill empowers parents — not the government — to make decisions about the unique needs and diverse interests of their children," Lamberth said in a statement. On the other side, state Sen. London Lamar, D-Memphis, said the plan would divert "public dollars away from underfunded public schools."

The TBA's 2024 Environmental Law Forum will take place Nov. 15 at the Nashville office of Butler Snow. This staple for Tennessee environmental lawyers features government, in-house and private practice attorneys discussing timely topics affecting the practice area. Sessions at this year’s event include endangered species litigation, underground storage tanks, drinking water, Chevron, ethics and more. Do not miss this opportunity to earn CLE while networking with colleagues from across the state. Environmental Law Section members receive discount pricing. Not a member of the section? Join here.

All 99 seats in the Tennessee House of Representatives were decided, including in 31 districts with unopposed candidates, yesterday. The state legislature will remain a Republican supermajority, with that party maintaining its 75-24 seat advantage. The Secretary of State has the unofficial results. Among the state House races that were especially close was District 97, where incumbent Rep. John Gillespie, R-Memphis, defeated former Shelby County Democratic Party Chair Jesse Huseth by just over 1,000 votes, and District 18, with Rep. Elaine Davis, R-Knoxville, retaining her seat over Democratic opponent Bryan Goldberg with a margin of 2,600 votes, WBIR reports.. In District 67, Rep. Ronnie Glynn, D-Clarksville, won re-election by 131 votes, narrowly defeating Republican challenger Jamie Dean Pelz, and in District 74, incumbent Rep. Jeff Burkhart, R-Clarksville, secured a victory over Democratic candidate Allie Phillips by just under 2,000 votes. Clarksville Now has more on both races. The Democratic party was able to retain two seats, as Shaundelle Brooks defeated Republican Chad Bobo in the race to replace retiring Nashville Democrat Darren Jernigan in District 60, and Nashville Rep. Bo Mitchell kept his District 50 seat in the race against Metro Councilmember Jennifer Frensley Webb, Tennessee Lookout reports.

Vicki Shoulders, a longtime employee of the Nashville Bar Association (NBA), died Oct. 31. Shoulders, who worked at the NBA for 24 years, was known for her welcoming demeanor and dedication to the organization. TBA President Ed Lanquist Jr. had the privilege of working with Shoulders during his time as president of the NBA. "To many, she was the face of the Nashville Bar Association in her customer services role. She cared deeply for the organization and the membership and she will be missed by all," he said. Service information is pending.