Five Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) board members and the district have sued the Shelby County Election Commission, arguing that new state and county election changes unlawfully shorten their four-year terms by forcing them onto the 2026 ballot. The lawsuit claims the changes violate the Tennessee Constitution and were a coordinated effort by lawmakers and county commissioners to punish board members who voted to fire former Superintendent Marie Feagins. According to the Daily Memphian, attorneys are seeking an injunction to block the five seats from appearing on the 2026 ballot as partisan school board elections. Feagins in November announced she would run for Shelby County mayor.

The Tennessee Supreme Court on Dec. 15 censured Alabama lawyers William Jefferson Cranford III and Matthew Brett Reeves. According to the court, Cranford drafted, signed and personally filed two motions for a client that included fabricated citations generated by using Artificial Intelligence (AI). The citations were added to the motions by another attorney, but the court found that Cranford had an obligation to check the citations before signing the motions and filing them. It also determined that he failed to act with diligence and caused a delay in his client’s case. In addition, the court found that Reeves personally used AI to add citations to two motions. The court found that the citations were fabricated and Reeves took no action to check their accuracy. It also determined that he failed to act with diligence and caused a delay in his client’s case. The actions of Cranford and Reeves were deemed to violate Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3, 3.2 and 8.4.

Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law (LMU Law) has promoted Assistant Professor of Law Kayla Swiney to director of bar success. In this role, Swiney will oversee bar preparation initiatives and provide support to students and graduates throughout the bar exam and admissions process. Swiney’s leadership will be central as the law school transitions to preparing students for the NextGen Uniform Bar Exam, according to a news release. “I am so excited to take on the role of director of bar success and to assist our students from their first day of law school through the final stages of bar preparation,” Swiney said. “The implementation of the NextGen bar exam will allow me the unprecedented opportunity to work side by side with our graduates to ensure they feel supported, confident and ready to succeed on this new exam.”

Attorneys for Metro Nashville's legal department have reviewed an ethics complaint against Metro Councilmember Rollin Horton, filed by a group of his West Nashville constituents. The attorneys found that, if true, the allegations in the complaint did not rise to ethics violations and will recommend to the Board of Ethical Conduct that the complaint be dismissed. The complaint stems largely from a failed recall effort and cites incidents including an Instagram post that displayed a resident’s address, police being called on petition gatherers and alleged pressure on business owners. The Nashville Banner reports on the developments.

The Nashville Bar Association (NBA) named Sherie Edwards as its 2026 president at its Annual Meeting last week. Edwards, a former TBA president, received her law degree from Nashville School of Law in 1996, and completed her MBA at Vanderbilt University's Owen Graduate School of Business in 2012. She retired as vice president of corporate and legal at SVMIC in 2024 after 25 years with the company and plans to launch a mediation practice in early 2026. Edwards also is a board member at the Tennessee Justice Center, a member of the National Conference of Bar Presidents Executive Council, president-elect of the Harry Phillips Inn of Court, and a delegate to the ABA House of Delegates. Other new officers announced were 1st Vice President Ben Raybin, 2nd Vice President Judge Ana Escobar, President-elect Beau Creson, 1st Vice President-elect Cherrelle Hooper, 2nd Vice President-elect Josh Burgener, Secretary Victoria Gentry, Treasurer Billy Leslie, YLD President Ryan Loufbourrow, General Counsel Lela M. Hollabaugh, and new board members Jason Gichner, Callie Hinson, Jae Lim, Bart Pickett, Tabitha Robinson and Princess Rogers. The NBA also presented the John C. Tune Public Service Award to Rebecca Lyford. The award recognizes members who make outstanding contributions to the greater Nashville area community while distinguishing themselves as practicing attorneys. Read more in a press release.

The Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments met in Jackson on Dec. 10 to select nominees for an upcoming vacancy on the Court of Appeals Western Section, which will occur with the retirement of Judge Kenny Armstrong on Feb. 9, 2026. After holding a public hearing and conducting interviews, the council selected three nominees to forward to Gov. Bill Lee for his consideration. They are: Eileen Kuo, Steven Wayne Maroney and Gadson William Perry. View the nominees’ applications on the Administrative Office of the Courts website.

Blount County Juvenile Court recently announced the appointment of Richard H. Robinson as magistrate judge for Blount County. The oath of office was administered by General Sessions Court Judge Kenlyn Foster. Robinson previously served as as a special master for Knox County's 4th Circuit Court. He is a 2005 graduate of the University of Tennessee Winston College of Law. “We are pleased to welcome Magistrate Judge Robinson to Blount County Juvenile Court,” said Foster. “He brings vast legal knowledge and experience to his new role, and more important, he is a genuinely kind person who shows great compassion for the children and families who appear before him.” Read more in a press release from the court. See photos from the swearing in ceremony.

Curated for general, solo and small firm attorneys, the TBA's year-end 15-hour CLE package includes a mix of popular ethics, law practice management and hot topics programming. Check out the specific courses included on the TBA CLE website. Looking for something else? TBA also has six, eight, 10, 12 and 15-hour packages based on specific topics or practice areas, live webcasts and on-demand video all month long. Explore all the Year End options to complete your CLE requirement by Dec. 31.

Newly elected U.S. Rep. Matt Van Epps was sworn into office, roughly 36 hours after he won a special election for the District 7 seat according to the Nashville Banner. In a speech on the House floor, Van Epps reiterated his allegiance to President Donald Trump and his policies. Read more from the paper.

On Dec. 15, the Tennessee Supreme Court responded to a petition for reinstatement from Georgia attorney Meredith Gardial noting that she has outstanding requirements with the Board of Professional Responsibility and the Commission on Continuing Legal Education. If these obligations are not satisfied by Jan. 27, 2026, the court said it would dismiss her petition.