New lawyers recently were welcomed to the legal profession at swearing in ceremonies in Knoxville, Nashville, Jackson and Memphis. Representatives from the TBA and local bar associations were on hand to congratulate the new admittees. See photos from the events.

The latest issue of the Tennessee Bar Journal is live online and full of articles of interest to lawyers across practice areas! In this issue's cover story, Nathan Drake, Amy Bryson Smith and Mary Lauren Teague of Belmont University College of Law look at three recent copyright decisions and how courts are analyzing the legitimacy of using copyrighted material without permission to train AI platforms. Brad Bald's feature focuses on the importance of change orders in construction projects and how to effectively manage them. And TBJ turns 60 this year! Heidi Barcus' President's Perspective column kicks off our celebration. Enjoy a retrospective timeline of the last six decades of the Journal. Our regular columns Crime & Punishment, History's Verdict and The Buddy System are inside, as well as a book review and information about running for TBA office in 2026. Look for the print version in mailboxes in the next few weeks!

Emily Hatch Bowman has been named the new Nashville office managing partner for Bradley, according to a press release from the firm. Bowman assumes the role previously held by Lauren Jacques, who served as office managing partner for the last four years and oversaw the firm’s move to the ONE 22 ONE building in the Gulch in January 2024. Bowman joined Bradley in 2000 and has more than 25 years of experience in real estate finance. Her practice spans the country, serving as lead counsel on a wide range of real estate finance transactions. Of her new role, Bowman says, “We are committed to deepening our relationships with clients, hiring the most talented attorneys from across the city who provide representation in key industries, and continuing to grow our presence in Nashville and nationally.”

Roane County lawyer Eric John Montierth received a public censure from the Tennessee Supreme Court on Nov. 4. A client hired Montierth to file two types of immigration petitions for both her parents and her husband. The client signed a written fee agreement and paid a total of $6,500 in nonrefundable fees. Three months later, Montierth closed his immigration practice but did not notify his client. The court also found that Montierth did no work on behalf of the client, and failed to respond to a disciplinary complaint. The court determined that Montierth violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.16, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5 and 8.1 and ordered him to make restitution in the amount of $6,500 to the client within 120 days.

On Nov. 18, the TBA Appellate Practice Section will host a free webinar titled "Application Granted: Strategies for Seeking Permission to Appeal Under Tenn. Rule of Appellate Procedure 11." The session will provide guidance for lawyers seeking permission to appeal a civil or criminal case to the state Supreme Court. Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Jeff Bivins, court staff attorneys Elizabeth Ryan and Edmund Sauer, and experienced appellate practitioners Brennan Wingerter and Kristine Roberts will share best practices, lessons learned and practical advice for getting an application granted. One hour of general CLE credit is available for a $50 processing fee. Contact TBA staff member Jarod Word at jword@tnbar.org with questions regarding CLE credit.

Bolivar Mayor Julian McTizic has announced he will run for the District 80 seat in the Tennessee House of Representatives. The seat is currently held by Rep. Johnny Shaw, D-Bolivar, who says he is not seeking reelection in 2026. The Tennessee Journal reports that McTizic will run for the seat as a Republican. “I see this as a tremendous opportunity to continue my efforts in helping the community I love so much. My entire career has focused on helping people in need, and I would be blessed to and honored to serve the citizens of Hardeman, Haywood and Madison counties in the state house,” McTizic said. He is the youngest and first Black mayor of Bolivar and has served in that office since 2017. McTizic is president of the Tennessee Mayor’s Association and the West Tennessee Mayor’s Association. WBBJ has more on the story.

The oversight board of Knox County's Richard L. Bean Juvenile Detention Center plans to remain in place for another six months before deciding whether to hand control of the troubled facility to the sheriff’s office. According to Knox News, the board wants more time to respond to a new report from the University of Tennessee's County Technical Advisory Service, which found severe security lapses, outdated practices, poor recordkeeping and even evidence of animals once housed in the building. The report described the facility as “frozen in time,” citing unlicensed operations and excessive overtime costs. While interim leaders work on urgent fixes, county officials are considering long-term options, including a proposal from the McNabb Center to create a “blended model” that integrates mental health treatment for detained youth.

The Nashville Bar Association (NBA) has released the results of a member poll of applicants being considered to fill a vacancy on the Davidson County General Sessions Court. The candidates rated included Jodie Bell, Mark Andrew Cole Sr., Leroy Ellis, David Jones and C. Michael Robinson. The vacancy is due to Judge Jim Todd's appointment to Criminal Court Division III. The association reports that 276 responses were received by the deadline. See the poll results in a release from the NBA. The full Metro Council will vote on the appointment on Nov. 18.

Kilmar Abrego Garcia has been transferred to Tennessee for a hearing this week on criminal charges stemming from a 2022 traffic stop. A Pennsylvania judge authorized the transfer on Friday. Abrego Garcia is charged with smuggling migrants across the country, to which he has pleaded not guilty. The Tennessee Lookout reports that the multi-day hearing comes after U.S. District Judge Waverly Crenshaw found in October there was a “likelihood” that the Department of Justice (DOJ) indictment against Abrego Garcia was vindictive. Crenshaw also recently warned Trump administration officials of possible sanctions if they continued making inflammatory statements about Abrego Garcia.

Two federal judges recently admitted their rulings included errors generated by artificial intelligence (AI), highlighting the lack of consistent national guidelines on AI use in U.S. courts, Reuters reports. That has led U.S. Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley, D-Iowa, to warn the judiciary that Congress is watching closely. He also is urging the courts to adopt formal, uniform safeguards against AI misuse. While many courts have issued local orders or policies, the federal judiciary is still relying on temporary guidance issued in July. The recent revelations have intensified scrutiny on how judges use AI, as state and federal courts continue developing policies aimed at balancing the technology’s promise with the need for human oversight.