Join moderator and TBA YLD President Judge Alex McVeagh and four Tennessee judges on Nov. 20 for a one-hour conversation about their paths from first-generation lawyers to serving on the bench. Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Sarah Campbell, Davidson County General Sessions Judge Ana Escobar, Court of Appeals Judge John W. McClarty and 21st Judicial District Circuit Court Judge David Veile will share how they built their careers without direct ties to the legal profession, the challenges they faced and the lessons they learned along the way. Whether you are a first-generation attorney or simply interested in the journeys of those who serve in the judiciary, this program will offer practical insights, encouragement and a candid look at what it takes to succeed at the highest levels of the legal field. For more information and to register visit the TBA's website.

The TBA Administrative Law Section has announced recent Belmont University College of Law graduate Zach Sterne as the winner of its 2024-2025 writing competition for his essay "Standing Up for Setting Aside: Vacatur’s Valid Role as a Remedy Under Section 706 of the Administrative Procedure Act." Sterne graduated from Belmont in May 2025, where he served as managing editor of the Belmont Law Review and was recognized as its “Most Valuable Editor.” During law school, Sterne also distinguished himself as chief brief writer and swing advocate for the championship team at the 2025 McGee Civil Rights Moot Court Competition, where he earned both the Best Oral Advocate Award and Top Respondent Brief Award. Sterne is now an associate attorney at Ortale Kelley, where his practice focuses on federal litigation, civil rights, appellate advocacy, complex tort litigation and government liability. The section currently is accepting submissions for its 2025-2026 writing competition. Check out the guidelines here and apply by April 30, 2026.

The Tennessee Supreme Court temporarily suspended Idaho lawyer Edward Kendall White on Nov. 12 after he failed to respond to the Board of Professional Responsibility about a complaint of misconduct. He is immediately precluded from accepting any new cases, and must cease representing existing clients by Dec. 12. The suspension will remain in effect until dissolution or modification by the Supreme Court.

The Middle Point Landfill in Murfreesboro, which takes in trash from Davidson County and more than 30 other localities, has received multiple state and city violations this year for issues including litter, leachate runoff and methane emissions, WPLN reports. In March, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation cited the landfill for “major violations” and “minor violations” between June and September. The city of Murfreesboro also issued violations in September for air and water pollution. City attorneys raised concerns about recurring methane emissions and leachate containing PFAS chemicals entering nearby waterways. Middle Point, owned by Republic Services and BFI Waste Systems of Tennessee, dismissed the city’s claims as “grandstanding,” saying the violations were minor and that it passively receives PFAS-contaminated materials from other sources. The landfill, Tennessee’s largest by volume, also has faced years of odor complaints.

TBA President Heidi Barcus has formed a task force to gather and review feedback from TBA members regarding the Tennessee Supreme Court’s order soliciting comments on regulation of the legal profession. Feedback should be sent to townhall@tnbar.org by Dec. 12 at 11:59 p.m. CST and should be specific in nature. All comments will be shared with the task force. The TBA welcomes candid feedback from all viewpoints. Watch for more information in TBA Today in the coming months on additional ways to share your thoughts on this important issue. Thank you to those members who have agreed to serve on the task force. They are: Brandon Bass, Lisa Cole, Dixie Cooper, Mike Galligan, Ed Lanquist Jr., Mary Beth Maddox, Jimmie Miller, Randy Noel, Sarah Sheppeard, Scott Sims, Charles Swanson, Danny Van Horn, Howard Vogel. and John Wilks. The task force will be chaired by Sarah Sheppeard.

Tennessee public libraries are reviewing their collections after Secretary of State Tre Hargett sent a series of letters ordering librarians to assess the “age-appropriateness" of books in their children and young adult sections. The review aims to “identify any materials that may be inconsistent with Tennessee age-appropriateness laws, in violation of any federal law, including President Trump's Executive Order, or otherwise contrary to any other applicable state or federal laws.” The letters also reminded librarians that they have to comply with relevant laws in order to receive grant funds, the Nashville Scene reports. Library directors are to provide a final report of their findings to the Tennessee secretary of state and the Tennessee state librarian and archivist by Jan. 19, 2026.

The Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) Board unanimously approved a $300,000 settlement in a lawsuit filed by the family of 16-year-old Josselin Corea Escalante who was fatally shot by another student at Antioch High School earlier this year, The Tennessean reports. The settlement covers all attorneys fees. The family filed the suit in July against Metro Nashville and MNPS, seeking $700,000 in damages. The suit argued that the district should have known the shooter posed a danger to students and failed to prevent the violence, and that it was negligent in operation of its security system for not detecting the shooter’s firearm. MNPS Board Chair Freda Player said the district has partnered with the Metro Nashville Police Department to increase the presence of school resource officers at Antioch High and to add safety measures districtwide.

Two female inmates at the Shelby County women’s jail say they were assaulted by a male inmate who was being housed with them last year due to overcrowding at the men’s jail. The federal lawsuit, filed Nov. 10, alleges the male inmate gained access to the women’s cells through a broken door. It also claims that a staff member opened the door, another staff member witnessed the assault but did not intervene or alert others, and that staff failed to report the incident or follow up afterward. The suit names the Shelby County government, Sheriff Floyd Bonner and several jail staffers. The women are seeking a jury trial and an unspecified amount in damages, according to the Daily Memphian,

The Tennessee Department of Human Services has announced it would begin processing partial Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments, which could be available as soon as today, according to a news release. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service has directed states to issue 65% of benefits this month, Knox News reports. Remaining benefits for the month will be issued after the federal government reopens. SNAP customers who were originally scheduled to receive their benefits Nov. 1–12 will begin to see payments on Nov. 12, the release said. Tennessee SNAP recipients can use the One DHS Customer Portal to view the latest case details.

Chattanooga attorney Robert Lee Brown died Nov. 9 at age 86. Brown earned his law degree from Vanderbilt University Law School in 1964 and served in the U.S. Army as a judge advocate attorney. He began his legal career in Atlanta before relocating to Chattanooga, where he became president and owner of Legal Title and Escrow Inc. According to his obituary, Brown served as a past chair of the TBA's Real Estate Section and as a past president of the Tennessee Land Title Association. Throughout his career, he was an instructor for the Tennessee Bar Association, Chattanooga Bar Association, Georgia Bar Association, Tennessee Association of Realtors and the National Business Institute. A celebration of life will be held Nov. 16 from 1 to 3 p.m. CST at the Heritage Landing Community Clubhouse on Heritage Landing Drive in North Chattanooga.