Joshua J. Smith, a Knoxville businessman and prison reform advocate pardoned by President Donald Trump in 2021, has been appointed deputy director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons — the first formerly incarcerated person to hold such a leadership role. Smith served five years in prison for federal drug convictions and went on to become a successful entrepreneur and founder of the Fourth Purpose Foundation, which focuses on prison reform. The Tennessean reports that his appointment has been praised for bringing a unique perspective shaped by lived experience, with priorities including supporting correctional staff and improving reentry programs. Gov. Bill Lee named Smith to the Tennessee Criminal Justice Investment Task Force in 2019, supported Smith’s pardon and expressed confidence in his ability to serve the nation effectively.

The LGBTQ+ community faces unique challenges in ensuring that their wishes be honored both during their lifetime and after death. A holistic and person-centered approach to elder law and estate planning demands that practitioners have knowledge of these issues in order to advise LGBTQ+ clients to accomplish their goals and honor their legacy. Join legal experts and practitioners on June 26 for this free live Zoom webinar offering an in-depth exploration of the unique challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community. From estate planning nuances to navigating health care directives, this session will offer invaluable insights and practical strategies for providing sensitive and inclusive counsel. One hour of general CLE credit is available for a $50 processing fee.

A riot broke out Sunday at the CoreCivic-run Trousdale Turner Correctional Facility in Hartsville, renewing calls for an overhaul of prison leadership. Axios Nashville reports that a "large group of inmates from several housing units" got out of their cells and into part of the prison yard. The inmates started fires and tried to damage security camera and other property. One guard reportedly was attacked during the incident, and was treated and released at an area hospital, according to the facility. Three inmates were also treated for injuries. Among those calling for reforms are Trousdale County District Attorney Jason Lawson, who issued a statement obtained by WSMV, and state Sen. Heidi Campbell, D-Nashville, who commented in a Facebook post. In 2024, the U.S. Justice Department opened a civil rights investigation into conditions at the facility. Earlier this month, an inmate sued prison officials alleging that they allowed gang members to repeatedly assault and extort him. In April, a former Tennessee state trooper sued CoreCivic after he was allegedly beaten by a cellmate at the facility. The Associated Press reports that a Kansas facility is also facing criticism.

Tennessee Republican Rep. Mark Green on Monday announced that he would resign his position in Congress after a final passage vote on the party's "Big, Beautiful Bill." Green said he was leaving for a position in the private sector that "was too exciting to pass up." The Hill reports that Green's decision to stay until the House gives the GOP’s tax cuts and spending package a final stamp of approval is a relief for Republican leadership, who are contending with a razor-thin majority and passed the same bill by a single vote last month. This is the second time Green has announced his resignation from Congress. His departure will open a seat on the House Homeland Security Committee. Green represents Tennessee's 7th Congressional District, which encompasses parts of Davidson, Montgomery and Williamson counties.

Retired Nashville attorney Dot Dobbins, age 77, died Monday after being struck by a vehicle while walking her dog in Nashville's Germantown neighborhood. Dobbins, a leader in the legal aid and family law communities, practiced law for over 40 years. She began working at the Legal Aid Society (LAS) as a law clerk while at Vanderbilt Law School. After graduation, she stayed on at LAS, practicing at the Matthew Walker Health Center office in North Nashville. According to a Facebook post from LAS, while in law school, Dobbins helped start a women’s center at Scarritt-Bennett and joined the YWCA Board where she helped to raise awareness of domestic violence, including playing a foundational role in opening Nashville’s first domestic violence shelter through the YWCA. She wrote the first order of protection legislation for Tennessee and worked with the Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services (TALS) to get the legislation passed. When LAS founder and former Executive Director Ashley Wiltshire created the Nashville Family Law Unit, Dobbins became its lead attorney, a position she held for 11 years before leaving LAS to become general counsel for the Tennessee Department of Human Services. Prior to retiring, Dobbins practiced family law, including collaborative divorce. Dobbins was featured in a May 2021 video interview as part of the Nashville Bar Association's Historical Committee. Service information is pending.

Commentators have offered vastly different approaches to the issue of whether arbitrators can and should perform independent legal research apart from the briefs submitted to them by the parties. With the growth of arbitration, it is prudent to reexamine those approaches to the extent they have limited arbitrators’ ability to conduct fulsome legal analysis. In this webcast, Gail Vaughn Ashworth and Chris Sabis will review different approaches to independent legal research, the applicable ethical rules and how courts have approached these issues. The speakers propose an approach that balances accuracy and efficiency with the quality of arbitration rulings and awards. Register for the June 25 webcast.

The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) has provided a notice of intent to release a request for proposal (RFP) for a statewide court case management system and efiling solution for all of the state’s trial courts. According to the AOC, this initiative is a critical element of its strategic vision to modernize court technology and enhance data accessibility across the state's judicial system. The notice, which can be found here, provides early awareness of the RFP to "support broad and fair competition for this procurement and to allow vendors, including those who may desire to partner, adequate time to respond." Interested vendors are encouraged to monitor this link for the full RFP document and submission details, which is expected to be released in July.

An inmate at the Trousdale Turner Correctional Center, run by CoreCivic, is suing prison officials, alleging they allowed gang members to repeatedly assault and extort him. The federal lawsuit alleges that Charles Anderson was beaten, sexually assaulted, and forced to have his mother and family friends send money to gang members, despite repeatedly asking prison staff for protection. The Tennessee Lookout reports that the complaint claims staff ignored warnings and failed to place him in protective custody, even after severe attacks and a hospital visit. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) in 2024 opened an investigation into conditions at the facility; in April, a former Tennessee state trooper sued CoreCivic after he was allegedly beaten by a cellmate there.

Hamilton County Juvenile Court Judge Rob Philyaw on Tuesday announced that Court Administrator Sam Mairs has retired. Mairs began his career at the court as a probation officer in November 1992 and worked in increasingly responsible positions for over 30 years. Former Juvenile Court Judge Suzanne Bailey had appointed him administrator in March 2011. Philyaw said that during Mairs' tenure, he was “instrumental in several initiatives that directly affect children and families, including Youth Court, Recovery Court, family law mediation and Safe Baby Court ... Under his leadership, we have improved facilities, invested in staff and implemented system changes to meet the needs of Hamilton County’s citizens." Read more from Chattanoogan.com.

After five decades operating as Larry R. Williams PLLC, the Nashville firm announced they have rebranded as The Williams Firm. Jonathan Williams, son of the firm's founder, now serves as owner and lead trial attorney, alongside a legal team including attorney Gregory Hazelwood. "This rebrand isn’t a departure from who we are — it’s a recommitment to our mission," Williams said. "The Williams Firm continues the legacy my father built by providing aggressive, compassionate representation to real people facing real challenges. We remain family-owned, deeply rooted in Nashville and focused on helping clients navigate some of the most difficult moments of their lives." The firm's offices are at 315 Deaderick St., Ste. 1510, Nashville 37238 and can be reached at 615-256-8880 or www.lrwlawfirm.com. Read more in a press release from the firm.