Local prosecutors are "drowning" in prison crime cases committed inside Tennessee's largest prison, District Attorney General Jason Lawson told members of the state Senate on Oct. 1. According to Lawson’s testimony, his office has prosecuted more than 204 offenses since 2021 — including murder, attempted murder, rape, assault, possession of contraband and indecent exposure — despite insufficient resources and policies that prevent evidence gathering. But he also said that the crimes prosecuted represent a “dramatic underestimate” of the actual offenses committed. The long-troubled facility is run by private prison operator CoreCivic and is under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice. Also at the hearing, Tennessee Corrections Commissioner Frank Strada told legislators that gang members incarcerated at Trousdale often bribe guards to bring contraband through security. The Tennessean has more on the story.

U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee Michael Dunavant was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Oct. 7 by a vote of 51-47. The Daily Memphian reports that the vote came on a slate of 107 nominees, including 15 other U.S. attorney nominees, ambassadors and other appointed officials. President Donald Trump nominated Dunavant in July. Dunavant returns to the office after having served as U.S. attorney during Trump’s first term of office. He previously served as district attorney general for Tennessee's 25th Judicial District, which covers Tipton, Fayette, Hardeman, Lauderdale and McNairy counties. He replaces career prosecutor Joe Murphy, who has been the interim U.S. attorney since Reagan Fondren was removed. Fondren took over after Kevin Ritz stepped down following his appointment to the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals.

The U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee will appoint a new full-time magistrate judge upon the retirement of Magistrate Judge Barbara Holmes, effective July 31, 2026. Those interested in being considered for the position should request an application form from Chief Deputy Clerk Vicki Kinkade, 719 Church St., Ste. 1300, Nashville 37203 or download from the court’s website. Completed applications should be emailed by close of business on Nov. 14 to magistrate@tnmd.uscourts.gov. Read more about the duties of and qualifications for magistrate judges in an announcement from the court.

On Oct. 7, the Tennessee Supreme Court referred the case of Shelby County lawyer Kevin Eugene Christopher to the Board of Professional Responsibility (BPR). The court reports that Christopher pled guilty to one count of assault, a Class A misdemeanor, in violation of Tenn. Code. Ann. § 39- 13-101, and one count of reckless endangerment, a Class A misdemeanor, in violation of Tenn. Code. Ann. § 39-13-103. He received diversion from the trial court.

The Tennessee Supreme Court disbarred Montgomery County lawyer Joel David Ragland from the practice of law on Oct. 8. The court reports that Ragland consented to the action because he could not successfully defend himself against disciplinary charges. The court found that he misappropriated funds by writing unauthorized checks against his firm’s trust account in violation of Rule of Professional Conduct 8.4.

Completing CLE requirements before Dec. 31 is now easier than ever with new packages from the TBA. The “CLE Made Easy Series” offers curated packages based on hours needed or special interest topics. Credit hour packages include 15, 12, 10 and eight-hour offerings. Topical options include 15 hours for solo and small practice lawyers, eight hours from the TBA’s 2025 Convention and six hours from the Young Lawyers Division’s Rookie Series. Looking for ethics hours? Two three-hour packages also are available. Don’t see what you are looking for in the new offerings? Check out the more than 100 on-demand programs and upcoming live programs in the TBA's online course catalog.

State Rep. Justin J. Pearson is planning to challenge long-time incumbent U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen for Tennessee's 9th Congressional District, according to the Commercial Appeal. Cohen has held the seat — which encompasses most of Memphis and some of its suburbs — since 2007. The Democratic primary for the seat will be held in August 2026, followed by a general election in November 2026. "The status quo is not working for us," Pearson said in an interview ahead of the announcement. "I think that we will be the strongest candidate in the race. We have the right vision, the right ideas, the right goals and visions” for the district. According to The Tennessee Journal, Pearson plans to run for re-election to his state House seat while challenging Cohen. Read more about his campaign.

Cincinnati-based Frost Brown Todd (FBT), with offices in Nashville, is merging with New Jersey law firm Gibbons to create FBT Gibbons LLP. The combination, effective Jan. 1, 2026, will create a mid-market firm with approximately 800 attorneys in 25 offices. FBT Chair Robert Sartin, based in Nashville, will serve as chair of the new firm. According to a press release, the merger will deliver “synergies in key industries of strategic focus” — including finance, manufacturing and energy — and “drive growth in corporate and transactional work.” FBT says its clients will benefit from Gibbons’s litigation practice.

Over the past two months, members of the TBA Young Lawyers Division (YLD) have been visiting law schools across the state. Alex Bunn, Cole Harrell-Morris and Jennifer Sneed joined together for a final stop at the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. Students were encouraged to apply to the YLD's new Rural Judicial Fellowship program and the award-winning DLI program, as well as to reach out to members of the TBA while still in law school. Memphis Law student Divine Dent, a graduate of the DLI Class of 2025, also participated and shared her experience with the program. See photos from the day.

The Tennessee Supreme Court today upheld the conviction of Ambreia Washington, ruling that the warrantless seizure of a firearm from his vehicle did not violate the U.S. Constitution. In a unanimous opinion authored by Chief Justice Jeff Bivins, the court found that the handgun was properly seized under the “plain view exception,” which allows law enforcement officers to confiscate incriminating evidence seen in plain sight without a warrant. In this case, a Jackson Police Department officer responding to a car accident saw a handgun in the passenger seat and later learned that Washington was a convicted felon. The court concluded that the firearm was lawfully seized and admissible at trial. Justice Dwight E. Tarwater wrote a concurring opinion addressing the plain view doctrine’s “immediately apparent” requirement and its relationship to the Second, Fourth and Fifth Amendments.