The Tennessee Supreme Court permanently disbarred Hamilton County lawyer Alan Christopher Norton from the practice of law on June 4. The court reports that Norton consented to disbarment because he could not successfully defend himself against the disciplinary charges. The court found that Norton forged a chancellor’s signature on three court orders, forged the name of a Tennessee attorney on a fake motion, and forged a deposition transcript he provided to his client. These actions violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.4, 8.4(b) and 8.4(c). The court had suspended him temporarily on Dec. 16, 2024, finding that he posed a threat of substantial harm to the public.

Following its departure from downtown Nashville in May 2022 and a period in temporary offices, the TBA has found a new permanent home. The new building, officially closed on June 4, is located in the heart of Nashville’s West End Avenue corridor, providing convenient access and ample parking for members. Over the next six months, interior renovations will be planned to create modern office spaces, a state-of-the-art multimedia studio and a cutting-edge CLE and seminar classroom. The TBA is expected to begin operations at the new location in early 2026. In announcing the acquisition, TBA President Ed Lanquist Jr. said, “The Building Committee has worked tirelessly for the last few years to find TBA’s new home and I’m grateful for their time and expertise. This new space will help us meet the changing needs of our members as we look to the next several decades of practicing law in Tennessee.” Former TBA President Jim Barry, president of The Tennessee Legal Community Foundation (TLCF) — which purchased the building — said, “This investment ensures that TBA has a long-term home to serve our members and the broader legal community. The new space will facilitate top-notch legal education, member engagement opportunities and a stronger sense of community in our profession.” Special thanks to the committee of TBA leaders, members and real estate professionals whose thoughtful and comprehensive search led to the successful acquisition of this new home for your state bar association.

The U.S. House passed legislation last month designed to enact President Trump's domestic policy agenda. According to Reuters, the 1,100-page bill includes a one-sentence provision that could weaken the power of U.S. judges to enforce contempt when the government defies court orders. Specifically, the provision prevents federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court, from enforcing contempt orders unless the plaintiffs have posted a monetary bond. According to critics, this rarely happens in cases against the government and would leave judges powerless to enforce orders if they are not followed. The legislative provision follows a White House memo from March that directed heads of government agencies to request that plaintiffs post a bond when seeking injunctions against agency policy. The administration said the directive was aimed at deterring frivolous lawsuits. The U.S. Senate is scheduled to take up the bill this week, NPR reports, though some senators suggest that inclusion of the provision would not survive a challenge under that body’s rules. Bloomberg Law reports on that angle.

The 2025 William M. Leech Jr. Public Service Award will be presented to 21st Judicial District Circuit Court Judge and Chancellor David Veile at the TBA’s Annual Convention by the Fellows of the Tennessee Bar Association (TBA) Young Lawyers Division (YLD). Named for former Attorney General William M. Leech Jr., the award is given each year to a Tennessee lawyer who has been of outstanding service to the profession, the legal system and their community. In announcing the award, Fellows President and Jackson lawyer Michelle Greenway Sellers said, "Judge Veile truly exemplifies the values embodied in the Leech Award. He is a past president of the TBA YLD, a TBA Board of Governors member, an extremely supportive TBA YLD volunteer and a devoted community leader. Judge Veile generously gives of his time as a mentor to young lawyers, speaks at legal and community events, and volunteers at TBA YLD events such as the TBA YLD Mock Trial competition. He has spent his entire career giving back to the Tennessee legal community and to the Middle Tennessee communities he serves. The Fellows are honored to award Judge David Veile the 2025 TBA YLD Fellows William M. Leech Jr. Public Service Award." Veile was elected circuit court judge and chancellor in Williamson County's 21st Judicial District in 2024. He previously practiced criminal defense law in Franklin. The award will be presented on June 13 at the Lawyers Luncheon. Read more about Veile's selection in the TBA's press release.

The 2025 William M. Leech Jr. Public Service Award will be presented to 21st Judicial District Circuit Court Judge and Chancellor David Veile at the TBA’s Annual Convention by the Fellows of the Tennessee Bar Association (TBA) Young Lawyers Division (YLD). Named for former Attorney General William M. Leech Jr., the award is given each year to a Tennessee lawyer who has been of outstanding service to the profession, the legal system and their community. In announcing the award, Fellows President and Jackson lawyer Michelle Greenway Sellers said, "Judge Veile truly exemplifies the values embodied in the Leech Award. He is a past president of the TBA YLD, a TBA Board of Governors member, an extremely supportive TBA YLD volunteer and a devoted community leader. Judge Veile generously gives of his time as a mentor to young lawyers, speaks at legal and community events, and volunteers at TBA YLD events such as the TBA YLD Mock Trial competition. He has spent his entire career giving back to the Tennessee legal community and to the Middle Tennessee communities he serves. The Fellows are honored to award Judge David Veile the 2025 TBA YLD Fellows William M. Leech Jr. Public Service Award." Veile was elected circuit court judge and chancellor in Williamson County's 21st Judicial District in 2024. He previously practiced criminal defense law in Franklin. The award will be presented on June 13 at the Lawyers Luncheon. Read more about Veile's selection in the TBA's press release.

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The annual Bench Bar Luncheon will take place June 12 as part of the TBA’s Convention as lawyers and judges from across the state gather to recognize judicial service. The keynote address will be given by Nashville lawyer Ed Yarbrough, of counsel with Spencer Fane, where he represents clients in major criminal cases and high-stakes civil litigation. Yarbrough has tried more than 160 jury cases, including more than 40 homicide cases, and has served as both prosecuting and defense attorney in matters involving white-collar crime, wrongful death, personal injury and public corruption cases. A successful trial lawyer for more than 40 years, his public service included serving as the U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee from 2007 to 2010. Also at the luncheon, Shelby County Criminal Court Judge Chris Craft will be recognized with TBA’s Justice Frank F. Drowota III Outstanding Judicial Service Award and Nashville lawyer Margaret Behm will receive the Judge Pamela L. Reeves Tennessee Professionalism Award, given jointly by the TBA and the Tennessee American Inns of Court. Make plans now to join your colleagues at this annual favorite!

The Trump administration has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to halt an order allowing migrants to challenge their deportations to South Sudan. According to the Associated Press, Massachusetts-based U.S. District Court Judge Brian Murphy ruled that immigrants must get the chance to raise any concerns that being sent to that country could put them in danger. The government had argued that such a requirement would be a major setback to its efforts to deport migrants who cannot be returned to their home countries. The judge also found that the administration sent eight immigrants to South Sudan without giving them the opportunity to present their case, but said it could hold those hearings in Djibouti as long as the men remained in U.S. government custody.

The Nashville School of Law (NSL) celebrated 72 graduates during the school’s 117th commencement ceremony on May 24. Dean William C. Koch Jr., Board of Trust Chair Aubrey B. Harwell Jr. and commencement speaker Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Dwight Tarwater shared inspiring and encouraging messages. The school recognized seven students who were inducted into the prestigious Cooper’s Inn Honor Society, reserved for those in the top 10% of their graduating class while nine students were recognized for completing 50 hours of pro bono service during their law school career. Koch also presented the Founder’s Award, which is given to the student with the highest grade-point average, and the Dean’s Certificate of Excellence for recording the most pro-bono hours to Jennifer Burch. Read more about the award recipients in a release from the school. See photos from the event.