Metro Nashville Council Member Joy Kimbrough has filed a $40 million defamation lawsuit against Ryan Moses and his liquor distribution company, Best Brands Inc., over a dismissed ethics complaint that accused her of demanding $500,000 in exchange for support of a rezoning proposal. The Nashville Post reports that the Metro ethics board dismissed the complaint after Moses failed to provide evidence. Kimbrough alleges the false claims severely damaged her reputation and caused emotional distress.

In addition to serving on the bench, District 29 Chancellor Tony Childress is a volunteer firefighter, and on Dec. 26, 2025, he assisted with a surprise delivery. Childress was hunting with friends when he received a text from the Bogata Volunteer Fire Department about a woman giving birth in her car. He was the first firefighter on the scene and was able to assist the mother and baby until an ambulance arrived. Of his work with the fire department, Childress says, “I was a volunteer firefighter before I was a judge. I just said that’s not one of the things I’m going to give up. I believe in serving the community in whatever capacity you can. Judges ought to serve their communities in more roles than just being a judge. If you’re a leader, and judges are leaders, at some point you need to lead if you can do something. That’s why I keep doing it.” Read more in this profile from the Administrative Office of the Courts. District 29 serves Dyer and Lake counties.

The 2026 Estate Planning & Probate Forum will take place at the Marriott Cool Springs in Franklin on March 6. This event provides seven hours of CLE, including one hour of dual credit, and offers sessions on litigation and estate planning, public receivership, a probate panel, and a legislative update. Speakers include Section Chair Robert Malin, Rebecca Blair, Chancellor William Cole, Arthur Cook, Jennifer Exum, General Sessions Court Judge Toby Gilley, Zachary Glaser, Rob Hazard, Lisa Helton, Robin Miller, David Parsons, Al Secor, Andrea Sinclair, Jared Smith and Ashley Stearns. Section members receive discounted registration. Get more information and register on the TBA's website.

Vice President JD Vance announced Thursday that the Trump administration is establishing a new Department of Justice (DOJ) Division for National Fraud Enforcement to be lead by a new assistant attorney general, The Hill reports. The move follows the DOJ's investigation into allegations of mass welfare fraud in Minnesota. It has charged 85 defendants in that case and the administration said it is increasing prosecution resources and attorneys assigned to the investigation. Vance said the new position will “focus primarily” on the Minnesota fraud case, but also will have “nation-wide jurisdiction over the issue of fraud.” Following the news, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi praised the new role on the social platform X. Read more about the new fraud division from this White House fact sheet.

Litigator and pilot Edward A. Hadley has launched Aero Legal Advocates PLC, a law firm in Brentwood specializing in aviation law. The firm announced the news in a press release. Hadley brings more than three decades of legal and aviation experience to the firm, which also includes pilot-attorneys Jake B. Callaham, Chris Hughston II and Mark Blount. Aero Legal Advocates will represent a wide range of aviation professionals and entities including aircraft owners, pilots, mechanics, operators, aviation businesses and airports in matters before the Federal Aviation Administration, the National Transportation Safety Board and state and federal courts. The firm also will advise clients on accidents, aircraft purchases, leasing, hangar construction, tax issues, regulatory compliance, agency investigations and aviation-related commercial disputes.

Nashville-based Lipscomb University is facing a lawsuit from 11 students who say they became ill from black mold in their dorm rooms. According to the Nashville Post, the lawsuit, filed Jan. 7 in Davidson County Circuit Court, alleges that “persistent condensation, damp air, musty odors and unexplained illness” have harmed the students’ quality of life. The plaintiffs claim the university continued assigning female students to dorms despite knowing about poor ventilation and recurring mold problems. The students are seeking $14.5 million in damages. In a statement, the university said, “Lipscomb University takes these allegations seriously, and we are deeply committed to the well-being of our students. Based on our initial review, this case is egregiously overstated. Lipscomb University has established and follows strict protocols, consistent with EPA guidance and industry standards, for addressing suspected mold concerns.”

Dr. Carnita Atwater picked up a petition Friday to run for Tennessee governor, Local Memphis reports. Atwater, a New Chicago resident and community advocate in Memphis, announced her candidacy on Facebook and met with supporters. She is running as a Democrat, joining a growing field of candidates according to Ballotpedia.

Attorney General Skrmetti announced in a press release that a settlement with Metropolis Technologies Inc. will end an investigation by his office into the private parking company. Metropolis will pay $8.75 million to cover consumer refunds, litigation costs and a free parking program, and will also be required to implement numerous changes to its business practices to promote transparency and protect consumers. Skrmetti’s office began investigating Metropolis in 2024 following consumer complaints alleging unclear pricing, inadequate signage, misleading notices and surprise fees caused by technology glitches. More than 300 complaints have been filed to date. Under the settlement, Metropolis must implement changes to its business practices, including clearer signage, pricing transparency, automatic refunds for wrongful charges and the creation of the Tennessee Parking Program, which will offer $2.25 million in free parking credits to eligible Tennessee consumers in Knoxville, Memphis and Nashville.

Judge Kevin Wilson, who presided over Collegedale Municipal Court for more than three decades, died Jan. 9, according to the Chattanooga Times Free Press. Wilson, a 1981 graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Law, was first elected in 1990, defeating incumbent Ray Dodson. It was the inaugural year the position was decided by popular vote after the Tennessee Supreme Court ruled the prior appointment system was unconstitutional according to the paper. Wilson was serving his fifth eight-year term at the time of his death. He had been reelected in 1998, 2006, 2014 and 2022. Wilson was an active member of the Chattanooga Bar Association, the Tennessee Municipal Judges Conference and the Tennessee General Sessions Judges Conferences. Prior to joining the bench, he practiced for one year in Knoxville before opening the practice of Wilson & Wilson in 1982 in Chattanooga with his wife, Scarlett T. Wilson. In 2002, the firm name was changed to Kevin B. Wilson Law Offices. Funeral arrangements are pending.

Attorney volunteers are needed to help with several upcoming high school mock trial district competitions. On Feb. 7, lawyers are needed to help score the District 7 competition, which will take place at the Rutherford County Courthouse, S. Public Square, Murfreesboro 37130. Contact Alyssa Fox for more information and to volunteer. Volunteers also are needed Feb. 17-25 in Chattanooga to help score the state's largest district competition in District 5. Contact Mary Frances DeVoe to volunteer for that one. From Feb. 19-22, Shelby County needs lawyers and 2L and 3L law students for its District 14 competition at the Shelby County Courthouse, 140 Adams Avenue, Memphis 38103. Contact Ameshia Forrest or Shante Oliver to volunteer.  Finally, Davidson County is seeking volunteers on the evening of Feb. 20-21 for the District 9 competition at the Historic Metro Courthouse, 1 Public Square, Nashville 37201. Contact Pooja Bery to volunteer.  For any of these opportunities, no mock trial experience is necessary. Those interested in volunteering at another district competition may find a list of all events on the TBA website. Teams advancing from district competitions will meet in Nashville on March 20-21 for the state competition hosted by the TBA Young Lawyers Division. Learn more about this year's competition.