A new report from Tennessee Comptroller Jason Mumpower finds that most students using Education Savings Account (ESA) vouchers are leaving average or high-performing public schools rather than the lowest-performing ones, and overall are underperforming public school peers in both achievement and growth. The review also found that the state education department lacks clear standards for evaluating and removing low-performing private schools from the program, and did not adequately market ESAs to low-income families as required by law. In addition, despite high parent satisfaction and some score improvements over time, the program has been underused. Lawmakers are expected to consider proposals to expand the program when the legislature reconvenes. Chalkbeat has more on the comptroller's report.

Spencer Fane, which has offices in Nashville and Hendersonville, recently announced it has merged with the Washington, D.C., boutique intellectual property firm Global IP Counselors. More than a dozen patent and trademark attorneys from Global IP Counselors now join Spencer Fane’s Intellectual Property Practice Group in the Washington, D.C., office. Read more in a press release from the firm.

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee Chief Judge Sheryl Lipman on Monday swore in 16 military lawyers to assist the U.S. Department of Justice prosecute cases brought by the Memphis Safe Task Force. According to the Commercial Appeal, none of the former Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps attorneys were previously admitted to the Tennessee bar and will work alongside assistant U.S. attorneys as they learn local rules and procedures. U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee Michael Dunavant said during the ceremony that the JAG attorneys primarily will work on violent criminal cases, with some also working on gun offense cases. He later announced that 20 military lawyers have joined the effort. Lipman said she was grateful for the assistance because the "caseload has exploded," stating that, compared to each respective month in 2024, cases were up 90% in September 2025, 338% in October 2025 and 325% in November 2025.

Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris has named Jerri Green, his deputy chief of staff, as the county’s interim chief public defender. Phyllis Aluko, the current chief public defender, will retire at the end of January. The Daily Memphian reports that Green will begin transitioning to the new role on Jan. 12. Green holds a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center and worked in the public defender’s office in 2009 and 2010. She currently serves on the Memphis City Council and is a Democratic candidate for governor. In a statement Green said, “My passion has always been public service, and I carry the lessons I’ve learned from Washington D.C. to Nashville to Shelby County, and everywhere in between, as I work to ensure fairness, dignity, and strong representation for every client we serve.”

Lewis "Lew" H. Conner Jr. died Jan. 4 at age 87. Connor attended Vanderbilt University for both his undergraduate and law degrees, going on to serve as a captain in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps with the 101st Airborne Division from 1963–1966. He entered private practice and later co-founded Dearborn & Ewing. As his private practice career unfolded, Connor’s work in complex litigation ultimately led him to pioneer alternative dispute resolution techniques in Tennessee. Widely regarded as one of the "fathers of mediation," he maintained an extraordinary record of successful resolutions. He later served on the Tennessee Court of Appeals and as a special chief justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court. Connor received the Nashville Bar Association’s highest distinction, the John C. Tune Public Service Award, as well as the Best of the Bar Lifetime Achievement Award. Visitation will be Jan. 9 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 3900 West End Ave., Nashville 37205 from 10-11:15 a.m. CST, followed by a service at noon. A reception will follow at the Vanderbilt Commodore Club, 2601 Jess Neely Drive, Nashville 37212. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church or the Boys and Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee. The Tennessean has more on Connor's life, including his many contributions to the sport of golf in the state. Read comments from Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Jeff Bivins in a press release from the Administrative Office of the Courts.

The January/February issue of the Tennessee Bar Journal is now available online and on its way to mailboxes this week! Kicking off the new year is a cover story on Nashville attorney David Cooper's journey on the Appalachian Trail with his son, Sam. He discusses "the trip of a lifetime" with TBJ Editor Julia Canada Wilburn, not only as an epic experience but one that allowed him the space to step away from practicing law and focus on his own well-being. The self care theme continues in TBA President Heidi Barcus' column on how she takes care of her own mental health, and an article from Judge Lee Bussart and LMU Law 2L Jillian McGauley explaining how the SHIELD Program in Marshall County is helping people with mental and substance use disorders get help and avoid incarceration. Columns in this issue include Eddy Smith's Where There's a Will, which looks at how modifications to Tennessee's trust laws have made the state a desirable one in which to set up trusts, and John Day explaining how tax law impacts tort law in Day on Torts. Finally, read about TBA's new pro bono portal and learn how lawyers can help people across the state, and get news and updates from The Legal Life.

The Association for Women Attorneys (AWA) will hold its 44th annual banquet on Jan. 29. The event will take place at The Cadre, 149 Monroe Avenue, Memphis 38103. A cocktail hour will begin at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 p.m. CST. This year’s event will honor Lauran Stimac, chair of Evans Petree’s litigation practice group. Read more about the banquet and purchase tickets online. To pay by check, email Faith Watson. Each ticket includes salad, dinner (chicken, fish or a vegetarian option), two sides and a dessert.

Several high-profile court cases affecting Memphis are expected to be considered in 2026. These include ongoing federal litigation stemming from the death of Tyré Nichols, a lawsuit challenging Gov. Bill Lee’s authority to deploy the National Guard, and a legal battle between the city and the Memphis Police Association. While major criminal cases involving the murder of Eliza Fletcher and Young Dolph concluded in 2025, aspects of the Nichols case remain unresolved in federal court as does a civil lawsuit seeking more than $500 million in damages. Separately, officials are appealing a ruling over the legality of the National Guard’s deployment in Memphis, a case that could set precedent on executive power in Tennessee. And the city’s dispute with the police association over union authority and contract issues continues to move through the courts. The Commercial Appeal looks at next steps in these cases.

State lawmakers may consider imposing a statewide cap on how much local governments can raise property taxes this year, The Tennessean reports. If adopted, the proposal would allow local governments to seek larger property tax increases by triggering a voter referendum. A spokesperson for Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell said the city relies on the ability to adjust property tax rates as property values change to maintain financial stability. Nashville residents have seen two significant property tax increases in recent years, including a 34% increase in 2020 and a 26% increase last year. No bill outlining the proposal has yet been filed.

Part of a new law that took effect Jan. 1, requires different identification and driver licenses for legal permanent residents of Tennessee who are not U.S. citizens. Lawmakers who passed the measure during a special legislative session last January said the change is intended to make it easier to determine voter eligibility and prevent noncitizens from voting. Advocates and some lawmakers have raised concerns that the law could affect access to public education and enrollment. WKRN has more on the issue.