The Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals heard oral arguments April 7 and 8 at the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. Judges John W. Campbell, Camille R. McMullen and Robert W. Wedemeyer sat for the court. “This year marks 50 years since my graduation from the Law School, and it was an honor to be back and to talk to students, faculty, and Dean Jim Strickland. Judge Campbell and I are both Memphis Law grads and we shared some of our law school memories with the students,” Wedemeyer said after the proceedings. The law school hosted the oral argument for the court while the Jackson courthouse undergoes renovations. The change of venue provided a unique opportunity for law students to observe the appeals process and ask questions of both the attorneys and the judges. Read more from the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) or watch the arguments on the AOC's Youtube channel.

The Trial Court Vacancy Commission is currently accepting applications to fill a vacancy in the 1st Judicial District Criminal Court following the appointment of Judge Stacy Street to the appellate bench. Applicants must be Tennessee-licensed attorneys who are at least 30 years old and have been residents of the state for at least five years and residents of the judicial district, which covers Carter, Johnson, Unicoi and Washington counties. The public hearing for this position will be held June 4 at 9 a.m. EDT at the George P. Jaynes Justice Center, 108 West Jackson Blvd., Jonesborough 37659. More information, including application requirements, may be accessed on the Administrative Office of the Courts' (AOC) website. Applications must be received by noon CDT on May 6. Contact John Jefferson at the AOC at John.Jefferson@tncourts.gov or 615-741-2687 with questions.

The Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) has approved a bylaws change allowing middle and high school student-athletes to transfer schools once without a bona fide change of address and remain immediately eligible, aligning with a new state law signed by Gov. Bill Lee. According to Knox News, the TSSAA Legislative Council voted unanimously April 14 to adopt the rule, which takes effect July 1 and permits one transfer between school years, provided students meet other eligibility requirements, including age and recruiting rules. The change shifts from longstanding policy requiring athletes to sit out a year after transferring without a change of address, though restrictions remain in place for additional transfers and midyear moves unless a hardship waiver applies.

Winners of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee's eighth annual Civics Essay Contest will be honored at a ceremony April 30 at 4:30 p.m. EDT at the Joel W. Solomon U.S. Courthouse in Chattanooga. According to Chattanoogan.com, high school division winners are Victoria Matthews (first place), Eshanth Eriki (second place) and Lucy Finch (third place), while middle school winners are Alex Bright (first place), Ethan McKenzie (second place) and Mia Litchford (third place). All winners will receive cash prizes. The contest, open to public and students in 17 East Tennessee counties and three counties in North Georgia, is co-sponsored by the court’s Chattanooga Civics and Outreach Subcommittee and the Chattanooga Chapter of the Federal Bar Association. This year’s prompt asked whether the Fourth Amendment protects a cell phone user’s location data, an issue expected to be addressed by the U.S. Supreme Court. For more information, visit the court's website. 

Detroit-based law firm Dickinson Wright will relocate its Nashville operations from downtown to 5 City on Nashville’s West Side at 5 City Blvd., the Nashville Post reports. The firm has signed a lease for space in the 15-story high-rise that anchors the district. A total of 26 professionals, including 16 attorneys, will work from the Nashville office. Dickinson Wright established its presence in Nashville in 2009 through a merger with Stewart, Estes & Donnell.

Several bills have passed both the state House of Representatives and Senate and are now awaiting Gov. Bill Lee’s decision to sign them into law. They include HB1704/SB1779, which would make it a state crime to remain in the U.S. at least 90 days after a final deportation order is entered. The Nashville Banner reports on that measure. HB1484/SB146 would require the Shelby County district attorney to notify officials if certain “serious” cases arising from the federal task force in Memphis result in pleas, lowered charges or dismissals. States Newsroom reports on that bill. Finally, SB1741/HB1476, known as the Charlie Kirk Act, would require educational institutions to adopt policies affirming they will protect free speech and will not deny speakers or organizations from holding events on campus for political reasons. WDEF has more on that one.

Gov. Bill Lee last week signed legislation to limit lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of new state laws. HB1971 repeals a provision the legislature passed eight years ago that allowed Tennesseans to challenge the constitutionality of new state laws before they suffer any harm. The Tennessean reports that Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti — whose office defends new laws in court — requested lawmakers repeal the measure and reinstate barriers removed in 2018. The change now requires challengers to prove actual damage had been done to have standing to sue. Read past coverage of the measure.

J.E. "Buddy" Stockwell will retire from his position as executive director of the Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program (TLAP) effective April 15. Appointed in 2020 by the Tennessee Supreme Court, Stockwell has worked to transform the program into the "sustainable, gold-standard program it is today" according to TLAP Commission Chair Judge Michael Spitzer. Over the years, TLAP has expanded from assistance with alcoholism and drug use to all other mental health issues such as depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar issues, burnout and compassion fatigue. “The profession with all its pressures and the speed of information these days, and just how tough it can be to practice law, it has ushered in a new era for LAPs. Substance use disorder cases are still significant, but TLAP is comprehensive now. We have a professional clinical staff that can help address any type of mental health issue,” Stockwell said. “It’s become very complex, but our program works really well, and we cover all of those bases.” Read more in this profile from the Administrative Office of the Courts. Stockwell has written "The Buddy System" column for the Tennessee Bar Journal since 2021. His final installment will be published in the July/August 2026 issue.

The Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation is warning of a scam targeting workers’ compensation claimants, in which individuals falsely pose as judges, attorneys or government officials and request payment in exchange for benefits or claim settlements. According to a press release, scammers may contact victims by phone, email, text or video and use tactics such as spoofed email addresses, fake court documents and fabricated case information to appear legitimate. Officials emphasized that workers should never be asked to pay to receive benefits, as employers — not employees — are responsible for covering medical treatment for workplace injuries, and the bureau does not charge fees or request payments through methods such as gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency. The agency urges individuals to verify suspicious communications through official state channels and report potential scams to law enforcement or the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office.

The Beacon Center of Tennessee has filed a lawsuit in federal court that seeks to repeal a sweeping ban on data centers and cryptocurrency mines that was enacted by Hawkins County late last year. The Beacon Center is representing ExoticRidge, a Kentucky-based cryptocurrency mining company which wants to build an eight megawatt bitcoin mine adjacent to a fractionation plant in the farming community of Bulls Gap, WPLN reports. People who live nearby say they do not want a bitcoin mine next door, fearing the potential for noise pollution and increased energy rates, which led the Hawkins County Commission in September 2025 to pass a resolution banning data center development. The Beacon Center’s complaint alleges Hawkins County has violated the 14th amendment of the U.S. Constitution and alleges the county discriminated against ExoticRidge based solely on their industry. Crypto mines are a type of data center, which is a group of computers that operate 24/7 to run algorithms, solve equations or store data for internet access.