The 114th Tennessee General Assembly has been gaveled into session with Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, being reelected speaker of the Senate and Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, reelected speaker of the House. The Tennessean reports that the House Select Committee on Rules convened later to discuss proposed changes to the rules. Ahead of the meeting, proposed rules changes included limiting the number of bills each member may introduce to 10 (down from 15), and a “three-strikes” rule proposing to permanently ban members of the public found to be disruptive from the gallery. In other organizational moves, the Senate is expected to name committee assignments on Thursday.

The University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law recently announced the development and funding of the David Pickler Dean’s Professorship at the law school, thanks to a donation of $250,000 from law school alumnus and Memphis-area attorney David Pickler. The gift will be 100% matched by the University of Memphis through a grant received from the state of Tennessee as part of Gov. Bill Lee’s efforts to support the retention of the University of Memphis’ Carnegie R-1 designation. According to a press release from the law school, the $500,000 endowment will allow the school and the dean to support both students and faculty, and presents the dean with additional funds necessary to assist with priority items throughout the year, in perpetuity.

Newly appointed 22nd Judicial District Circuit Court Judge Jessica Parrish, who was sworn in Aug. 5, 2024, describes herself as a reader and analytical thinker since childhood. Although those are great traits for the legal profession, she had no idea what she wanted to pursue until attending a summer school program. “I went to Junior Statesmen of America Summer School when I was in high school,” says Parrish. “I got to go to the capitol, the embassy and take government classes at Georgetown University. I remember coming home and telling my family ‘I think I want to become a lawyer.’” From that point forward, she was headed straight to law school. Parrish succeeds retired Circuit Court Judge David Allen. Read more about her career in this profile from the Administrative Office of the Courts.

Join TBA Young Lawyers Division President Sean Aiello on April 16 at noon CDT for the next installment of the Rookie Series. Focusing on the complexities of criminal and civil contempt, this online presentation will address recent developments, pitfalls and practical application of the contempt process with a focus on the interplay with domestic relations statutes. Get more information or register for the webcast. Looking for other introductory CLE programs? Check out the full roster of Rookie Series offerings.

President-elect Donald Trump was found guilty in May of 34 counts of falsifying business records. Justice Juan Merchan today sentenced Trump to an "unconditional discharge," in the case, making Trump the first U.S. president to take office with a felony criminal conviction, Reuters reports. Merchan said he was imposing the sentence sparing Trump jail, a fine or probation because the U.S. Constitution shields presidents from criminal prosecution. But he said the protections afforded to the office "do not reduce the seriousness of a crime or justify its commission in any way." The sentencing took place after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to intervene, SCOTUSblog reports. Trump has pledged to appeal the conviction.

Chancellor Daniel Forrester was elected to the 7th Judicial District Chancery Court in August 2024 after winning both the primary and general election. “I’d been practicing for about 18 years, and it seemed like the perfect time if I was going to attempt to do it to do so,” he says about his run for office. Forrester was sworn in on Aug. 30 by Circuit Court Judge Ryan Spitzer. After just a few months on the bench, one duty in particular stands out. “I love doing the adoptions,” Forrester says. “It’s always been a favorite in private practice and when we get to do them, they’re always happy. You have a courtroom full of families and people, and they’re always wonderful. It’s one of the few things we get to do as judges and attorneys where everyone’s smiling and happy to be there.” Read more about Forrester's career from the Administrative Office of the Courts.

Sen. Jeff Yarbro, D-Nashville, and Rep. Aftyn Behn, D-Nashville, have proposed HJR12, a resolution to amend Tennessee's constitution allowing local municipalities across the state to raise fines to an amount they see fit in situations surrounding illegal construction. Currently, the fine is $50 per infraction. Yarbro told the Tennessean that for large construction companies, "multiple $50 fines just becomes the cost of doing business, albeit illegally." Behn said, "This has been an issue statewide for localities looking to hold bad actors accountable." The Tennessean has the story.

"Valley So Low: One Lawyer's Fight for Justice in the Wake of America's Great Coal Catastrophe," published last year and written by Franklin author Jared Sullivan, was named one of 2024's "Best Books" by The New Yorker. The book follows Roane County attorney Jim Scott's representation of dozens of workers who were sickened after working on the cleanup site of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) coal ash spill in December 2002. The lawsuit was eventually settled in 2023. Williamson Source reports on the book and the honor.

In a report released last week, the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) recommended that the House Ethics Committee open a full-scale investigation into U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles over discrepancies in his campaign finance disclosures. According to Axios Nashville, the report concludes there is "substantial reason to believe that Rep. Ogles omitted or misrepresented required information" on his financial disclosures and found there is "substantial reason to believe that Rep. Ogles's campaign committee may have accepted excessive contributions that were reported as personal loans and contributions from the candidate."

On Monday, Carter County lawyer Jason Lee Holly received a public censure from the Tennessee Supreme Court. Holly represented one client in a custody case, another client in a breach of contract case and a third client in a criminal case. In all three cases, the court found that he failed to take proper action on behalf of his clients, failed to communicate with his clients and failed to make reasonable efforts to expedite litigation. The court also found that Holly failed to respond to requests for information from disciplinary counsel and did not refund fees to any of his three clients. Holly was temporarily suspended from the practice of law on Oct. 27, 2024, for failing to respond to three disciplinary complaints. He was required to notify all clients of the suspension no later than 10 days after the order, which he failed to do. Holly has violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.15, 3.2, 3.4, 8.1 and 8.4. Additionally, as a condition of the censure, Holly must refund a total of $5,500 in attorney’s fees within 60 days.