Bradley on Tuesday announced that Paul Ney has joined its Government Enforcement & Investigations and Defense & National Security teams as a partner in the firm’s Nashville and Washington, D.C., offices. “Paul is a highly regarded practitioner with deep ties to the Nashville community, as well as an impressive tenure in the federal government,” said Bradley Board Chair and Managing Partner Jonathan M. Skeeters. Ney previously served as general counsel for the Department of the Navy and deputy general counsel of the Department of Defense (DOD) during George W. Bush’s second term. He returned to Nashville to lead the Mayor’s Office of Economic and Community Development under then-Mayor Karl Dean and later became general counsel for the Department of Defense under the Trump administration. In 2016, he was named chief deputy to Tennessee Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III. Read more in a press release from the firm.

The Tennessee Supreme Court recently appointed three new members to serve on its Access to Justice (ATJ) Commission. Eric Osborne (left), a member at Sherrard, Roe, Voigt & Harbison in Nashville; Nathan Kibler, a shareholder in the Knoxville office of Baker Donelson; and Jennifer Sneed-Perry, in-house counsel for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, will begin two-year terms on April 1. In addition, the court named Osborne to serve as the next chair of the commission, replacing Joy Radice. The other new appointees will replace Monty Burks and Amber D. Floyd. All three members rolling off the commission are in their second three-year term, which will expire on March 31. They are not eligible for reappointment. Read more about the new appointees in a press release from the commission.

After last week's winter storm, many Nashville renters may be behind on their bills and possibly facing eviction. Metro Nashville's Eviction Right to Counsel Program helps connect tenants with free, experienced attorneys who can guide them through the legal maze. Eight lawyers from the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands (LAS) and the Hispanic Bar Association are available to assist. In 2025, 13,000 Nashville renters faced eviction. DarKenya Waller, executive director of LAS, told News Channel 5 that "Unfortunately, Tennessee laws are not very forgiving for unpaid rent. So even if you have not had your repairs done, there are resources on the legal aid website to help you notify your landlord of the needs that you have and you must document everything."

The U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday heard oral arguments in NetChoice v. Skrmetti. The lawsuit challenges Tennessee’s "Protecting Children from Social Media Act," which became law in May 2024 and requires social media companies to verify users’ ages, obtain parental consent before minors create accounts and provide parents with basic supervision tools. “Our law imposes a minimal burden,” said Tennessee Solicitor General Matt Rice during the arguments. “The only thing preventing minors from accessing social media is these companies’ desire to maintain their ability to exploit kids through lopsided legal contracts.” NetChoice, an association with members including Google, Meta and YouTube, argued that the law infringes on minors' First Amendment rights. Read more in a press release from the Tennessee Attorney General's Office or from Courthouse News.

The Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation is accepting applications for a workers’ compensation judge in Nashville/Murfreesboro for a term beginning July 1. The position is eligible to be appointed for three additional full terms. Applicants must have a valid, active Tennessee law license, be at least 35 years old and have at least seven years of experience handling Tennessee workers’ compensation cases. Completed questionnaires must be sent to Marie.Halpin@tn.gov on or before Feb. 24. For additional information, contact Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Administrator Troy Haley at Troy.Haley@tn.gov.

The TBA Pro Bono Portal provides a centralized source for lawyers and law students to find pro bono opportunities across Tennessee, like the following case through West Tennessee Legal Services (WTLS). A client in McNairy County needs assistance with bankruptcy advice. The work can be performed remotely or in person. Get more information about the requirements associated with this opportunity and browse other pro bono needs. A free half hour CLE is available on the TBA’s website to introduce attorneys to this innovative platform. The webcast includes a live demonstration of the portal and shows attorneys how to search and sign up for pro bono opportunities in their practice areas.

Memphis attorney Robert Miles Mason Sr. died Feb. 1 at age 61 after a long battle with cancer. He received his law degree from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law in 1994. A Memphis native, Mason founded Miles Mason Law Group PLC and was a certified public accountant. Mason served on the Tennessee Bar Journal's Editorial Board from 2003-2006 and as chair of the TBA's Family Law Section. He received the Justice Joseph W. Henry Award for Outstanding Legal Writing in 2024 for his article “You Are the Father!: Untangling Custody Rights in Tennessee Between Unmarried Parents,” which appeared in the November/December 2023 issue of the Journal. Mason’s father-in-law, the late Judge Joe B. Jones, was the first recipient of the award in 1981. A funeral Mass will be held Feb. 9 at 1 p.m. at St. Peter Catholic Church, 190 Adams Ave., Memphis 38103, preceded by the rosary at 11:30 a.m. and visitation at noon. Burial will take place at 2:30 p.m. at Memorial Park Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave., Memphis 38119. All times CST. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mason's name to Christian Brothers High School or the Orpheum Theatre Group.

The next free advice clinic for Black-owned small businesses and nonprofits is set for noon to 1 p.m. CST on Feb. 19 in Nashville. The clinic, sponsored by the Arts & Business Council's Volunteer Lawyers & Professionals for the Arts and Bradley, provides assistance with business formation and corporate governance, review of contracts, and guidance in navigating local ordinances and state regulations. Space is limited so early registration is recommended. Attorneys should email vlpa@abcnashville.org to volunteer.

Candidates for Tennessee governor have begun collecting signatures for nominating petitions, formally launching the race ahead of the Aug. 6 primaries and the November election to replace term-limited Gov. Bill Lee. At least a dozen candidates have declared, including Republicans Marsha Blackburn, John Rose and Monty Fritts; Democrats Carnita Atwater and Jerri Green; and independent Lauren Pinkston. Petitions are due March 10. The Tennessean reports on the candidates.

In state legislative races, the Daily Memphian reports that six of the 13 House incumbents from Shelby County picked up qualifying petitions on Friday. They are: Democrats Larry Miller, Gabby Salinas and Torrey Harris, along with Republicans Mark White, John Gillespie and Kevin Vaughan. Two incumbent state senators from Shelby County — Democrat London Lamar and Republican Brent Taylor — also picked up qualifying petitions. In East Tennessee, according to Local 3 News, Rep. Yusuf Hakeem, D-Chattanooga, has announced he will seek reelection in District 28 and Sevierville Republicans Reps. Fred Atchley and Andrew Farmer also will run for reelection. In Cocke County, Republicans Kenny Cody, Jeff Fanger and Michelle Lane, Democrat Sheila McMahan and Independent Larry Brown have announced their intentions to run for a seat being vacated by Rep. Jeremy Faison, R-Cosby. In District 20, Democrat Karen Gertz is running against incumbent Rep. Tom Stinnett, R-Friendsville. In Knoxville, Democratic Reps. Sam McKenzie and Gloria Johnson picked up petitions to run for reelection, as did Republican incumbents Reps. Dave Wright, Justin Lafferty and Jason Zachary. In District 18, Elliot Schuchardt picked up a petition to challenge incumbent Rep. Elaine Davis in the Republican primary. And for the Knox County Senate seat, Kent Morrell picked up a petition to challenge incumbent Rep. Richard Briggs in the Republican primary. WBIR has more on the races.

The TBA Pro Bono Portal provides a centralized source for lawyers and law students to find pro bono opportunities across Tennessee, like the following case through West Tennessee Legal Services (WTLS). A client is seeking conservatorship over their disabled mother. The client has been able to obtain a filled-out physician's affidavit, but it has expired. They are working to obtain a new one. Get more information about the requirements associated with this opportunity or browse other pro bono needs.