Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti on Tuesday announced the official opening of the claims process to provide limited restitution to former patients of HRC Medical Centers, which deceptively advertised hormone therapy treatments. The Attorney General’s Office sued HRC in 2012, alleging the company made numerous misleading claims about its bioidentical hormone replacement therapy treatments. In 2017, the state obtained an $18 million judgment against HRC, and the office is now distributing the $1.5 million it has been able to collect to consumers harmed by the deception. Individuals who purchased treatments from HRC’s Tennessee locations in Nashville, Knoxville and Memphis may be eligible for restitution. More information about eligibility is available at this website. 

Adams & Reese has announced the addition of attorneys Aubrey Harwell and Trey Harwell. They will be joined by two associates from the Neal & Harwell firm, which Aubrey co-founded in 1971. Trey will lead a new crisis management team at Adams & Reese, while Aubrey will lead the firm's white-collar criminal defense practice. Aubrey has practiced nationally in white-collar criminal defense for more than 50 years, while Trey has handled high-profile crisis management and major corporate matters for three decades. “The Harwell brand has been a staple in the Nashville legal community and beyond for over 50 years. We are honored to welcome Aubrey and Trey as they bring their practices to Adams & Reese,” Managing Partner Gif Thornton said in a press release. In an interview with the Nashville Business Journal, the Harwells discuss their decision to move firms and their excitement for the future and continuing to work together.

In this month’s episode of BarBuzz, TBA Executive Director Sheree Wright speaks with retired attorneys Jim Barry and Carl Seely about life after retirement, how retired legal professionals can continue serving their communities and ways to stay active during retirement. The conversation offers insights and inspiration for attorneys nearing the end of their legal careers or already in retirement. Past episodes of the BarBuzz podcast are available in the BarBuzz archive and the latest episode can be streamed directly here.

Applications are now being accepted for the Legal Services Corporation’s (LSC) Basic Field Grant Program. Funds will be award in December for programs that begin in January 2026. Funds may be used to provide civil legal services to eligible clients. Learn more in the LSC’s request for proposals. The deadline for submitting applications is June 2. More information about eligibility guidelines is available on the LSC website.

Metro Nashville government this week released the breakdown of legal settlements paid in 2024, which totaled $4.2 million, a decrease from 2023. The Tennessean reports that all of the settlements were approved by either the Metro Nashville Council or the Metro Nashville Public Schools Board. Combined, the two groups approved 52 settlements in 2024; 40 of them — for a total of $2,854,408 — were approved through the council. Nineteen of the lawsuits were personal injury-related, 12 were for property damage, seven were Title IX-related, five were sidewalk settlements and the remaining nine were categorized as "other/negligence."

Former State Rep. Jeremy Durham has been found guilty on two counts of driving under the influence and one count each of reckless endangerment, resisting arrest and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. He was found not guilty on a charge of felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The Tennessean reports that he faces up to six years in prison. Durham was expelled from the legislature after an investigation revealed he sent inappropriate text messages to several women. The Tennessee Attorney General's Office ultimately discovered that Durham had made lewd comments and had given inappropriate hugs to 22 women.

U.S. District Court Judge Eli Richardson ruled Wednesday that a mistake from the prosecution, which allowed unredacted evidence to enter the trial of Glen Casada and Cade Cothren, did not rise to the level of requiring a mistrial. Cothren’s attorney motioned for a mistrial Tuesday, citing a recording of the FBI’s interview with Casada from the day his home was raided, which was played in court. The recording contained information that was prejudicial, according to the defense. The Tennessean has more on the case.

Recently released court records show that the 17-year-old Antioch High shooter had been on probation for previous violent behaviors at the time of the Jan. 22 fatal shooting at the school, the Nashville Post reports. The records also show that the teen had been ordered to a judicial diversion program and had signed probation paperwork the morning of the shooting, prohibiting him from possessing guns, ammunition and other weapons. The records became publicly available due to legislation passed by the General Assembly earlier this year. The new law allows courts to unseal records of a juvenile who is dead after committing homicide on school grounds.

Several Memphis officials have responded to the not guilty verdict in the state trial of three former Memphis police officers for the death of Tyre Nichols. According to the Daily Memphian, Memphis Mayor Paul Young and Police Chief C.J. Davis released a statement encouraging the city to “heal together.” Young also added: “As a city, we’re committed to doing the work of creating a deeper trust between law enforcement and the people of Memphis.” State Democratic lawmakers from Memphis expressed “devastation” following the verdict, according to Tennessee Lookout. House Democratic Leader Karen Camper said the verdict leaves a “deep wound in our community and renewed calls for justice and accountability.” Sen. Brent Taylor, a Republican, said he was "saddened for Tyre Nichols’ family" and that "they deserve justice." Local Memphis has his and other reactions, including from the Shelby County mayor and U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Memphis. National civil rights leaders also have weighed in with responses, including calls for criminal justice reforms. The Associated Press looks at those comments. Finally, the Commercial Appeal lays out what comes next, including sentencing in the federal case and a $550 million civil suit against the city and police department.

University of Memphis students are forming a college mock trial team and are looking for a volunteer coach who can support the team during the fall and spring semesters, with the potential to remain involved beyond that depending on availability and interest. Interested individuals should reach out to Brandon Washington at brandon.washington@memphis.edu. If possible, please contact Washington by July 1 so there is time to coordinate and prepare before the academic year begins.