University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law Assistant Dean for Law Admissions, Recruitment and Scholarships Dr. Sue Ann McClellan has announced her retirement, effective June 30. “Sue Ann’s vast experience and wealth of knowledge far exceeds that of so many peers,” said former law school Dean Katharine Schaffzin. “As a faculty member on the Admissions Committee or as dean, I have always deferred to her assessment in informing admissions decisions and recruitment strategies. Sue Ann’s kindness and humanity shine when she interacts with prospective students." In commenting on her career, McClellan stated, “It has been a privilege and an honor to open the door to the legal profession for every single one of these students." Read this tribute to McClellan from the law school.

Tennesseans will vote on three constitutional amendments on the November 2026 gubernatorial ballot after the state House approved the measures on Monday. The Senate had approved the resolutions in March. Sponsored by Sen. Jack Johnson, R-Franklin, one amendment would take away the right to bail for people charged with certain crimes such as acts of terrorism, second degree murder, aggravated rape, grave torture, vehicular homicide and carjacking. A second amendment, sponsored by Sen. Ferrell Haile, R-Gallatin, would would prohibit the state from instating a state property tax in the future. Finally, Marsy’s Law, sponsored by Sen. John Stevens, R-Huntingdon, would expand the rights of victims of crimes, including the right to be present and heard at all public criminal proceedings involving the accused, the right to be free from harassment or intimidation by the accused, and the right to be notified of the release, transfer or escape of the accused. The Nashville Post has more on all three proposed amendments.

Charles Stephen "Steve" Weaver died April 12 at age 76. In his early years, he was a musician, songwriter, guitar instructor, entertainment agent and a member of several regionally popular groups based in Memphis. After graduating from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law in 1977, Weaver relocated to Atlanta and was an assistant professor and director of the Commercial Music/Recording Program at Georgia State University. He began his private practice in 1983, with offices in Memphis and Nashville, moving all offices to Nashville's Music Row in 1995. Weaver was a member of the American Bar Association, Tennessee Bar Association, Nashville Bar Association and Country Music Association, among others. Memorial gifts may be made to Alive Hospice of Nashville or Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. A private memorial will be scheduled at a later time.

The Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law (LMU Law) hosted its annual Student Public Interest Fellowship (SPIF) Auction in March, raising nearly $20,000 to support students pursuing public interest legal work. The SPIF funds stipends for students interning in public interest roles, helping alleviate financial burdens associated with unpaid or low-paid positions. The funds raised will provide essential financial assistance for students working in roles that serve underrepresented communities, allowing them to gain valuable experience without the hardship of covering travel and living expenses. “The new Student Public Interest Fellowship at LMU Law will help ensure that financial need does not prevent our students who prefer public interest work from seeking out and accepting those opportunities,” said LMU Law Vice President and Dean Matt Lyon. Read more in a press release from the law school.

Houston-based Susman Godfrey is the latest "Big Law" firm to be targeted by an executive order from the Trump administration. The firm represented Dominion Voting Systems in defamation cases related to the 2020 election, according to Reuters. The new executive order suspends any security clearances held by Susman Godfrey's 170 lawyers, restricts access to government buildings and threatens to cancel federal contracts held by firm clients. Bloomberg Law reports that the firm on Monday challenged the executive order, and that today a judge temporarily barred the administration from enforcing the order. In other legal actions, five firms — Kirkland & Ellis, Allen Overy Shearman Sterling, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, Latham & Watkins, and Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft — reached deals with the administration to provide upwards of $600 million in pro bono work. The Hill has more details of those agreements.

The Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury is investigating Knox County Trustee Justin Biggs office's high-end hotel expenses and questionable use of county vehicles. Knox News reports that Biggs and his staff incurred $4,716.59 in costs that exceeded the county rate for hotel rooms on 10 trips from August 2023-November 2024 totaling $17,314.58. Trustee staff also have driven county-leased trucks for personal use, according to GPS records obtained by the paper. In the five years of the lease agreement, the trustee's office will pay $397,968 for the trucks, $200,000 more than the cost of vehicles used by other county offices according to the paper. Biggs fired Director of Operations Jason Dobbins after the paper reached out with questions about the investigation, saying in a statement: "Over the past two weeks, [the Comptroller's office's] thorough examination has revealed an unfortunate breach to our policies. Due to this, we have terminated one employee at this point."

As a result of the severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding that began on April 2, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a disaster declaration for the entire state of Tennessee. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) then extended various federal due dates to Nov. 3 for taxpayers located in the disaster area. Consistent with the IRS’s decision to extend federal due dates, the Tennessee Department of Revenue will approve, on a case-by-case basis, extension requests from affected taxpayers who are unable to file returns for Tennessee taxes because of the impact of the storms and flooding beginning on April 2. If the department grants the extension request, it will apply to filing and payment due dates that occur between April 2 and Nov. 3. Affected taxpayers will have until Nov. 3 to file returns and make any payments (including quarterly estimated franchise and excise tax payments) originally due during this period. Read more from the department.

In the first quarter of 2025, the Davidson County Grand Jury declined to indict 47 felony cases — including three first-degree murder cases — an unusually high number compared to the previous average of just three per quarter, according to the Nashville Banner. This increase has raised concerns among legal experts, including Nashville attorney David Raybin who tells the paper that the jury may have applied an unusually high burden of proof. Others argue that the surge in non-indictments could delay justice and reflect potential bias. The grand jury also conducted an independent investigation into whistleblower allegations against the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD). The group says it found a toxic culture marked by favoritism, retaliation, and the mishandling of sexual misconduct and racial discrimination complaints, and called for further investigation by a special prosecutor. The group also raised concerns about what it called a lack of transparency in an investigation being conducted by Memphis lawyer Ed Stanton into MNPD and a recent raid of his firm by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. Finally, it urged systemic reforms and more robust support for past victims.

West Tennessee Legal Services (WTLS) will host a virtual expungement clinic for clients in Madison County on April 22 and 23. Attorney volunteers can participate from anywhere by using WTLS automation software. Volunteers will be provided with a time to call the client to complete the petitions. WTLS will coordinate with the clients to get the documents signed. All clients will be prescreened for eligibility. Sign up to volunteer via this link.

Nashville attorney and former TBA president Jacqueline Dixon was recognized as the Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program's (TLAP) Volunteer of the Year at the Annual Camp TLAP held April 4 -6 at Montgomery Bell State Park in Dickson. She currently serves as board chair of the Tennessee Bar Foundation, vice-chair of the TLAP Commission and chair of the TLAP Foundation. She is a past president of the Tennessee Lawyers Association for Women. Dixon also currently gives back to the community by serving on the boards of two non-profit organizations: A Step Ahead Foundation of Middle Tennessee, a provider of free long-acting reversible birth control, where she is a founding board member and past board president; and First Steps Inc., a provider of education and care for special needs children alongside their typically developing peers. Dixon has been instrumental in advancing TLAP as a top program and providing financial assistance via the TLAP Foundation to those in need of mental health or substance use disorder services through TLAP according to the organization.