The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled this week that a lawsuit on behalf of a Nashville woman tased and shot by police officers during a mental health crisis in 2021 can go forward. The court determined that the lawsuit, filed in 2022, “plausibly alleges that the officers violated the woman’s clearly established rights.” Last year, District Court Judge William Campbell dismissed the case, but the latest ruling means that attorneys may pursue the woman’s legal claims against Metro and two named officers. The Nashville Banner has more on the case.

A story in the Sept. 15 issue of TBA Today relied on a Daily Memphian article about the Tennessee Supreme Court’s decision not to stay a trial court decision in a lawsuit between the city of Memphis and the Memphis Police Association. That article now has been updated to clarify that the court declined to stay the decision while an appeal from the city is pending with the Tennessee Court of Appeals. The TBA also has updated its initial reporting.

Legal Aid of East Tennessee (LAET) will hold its annual Pro Bono Celebration at the Carnegie Hotel in Johnson City on Sept. 26 at 11:30 a.m. EDT. The event will feature inspiring stories, recognition of pro bono heroes and remarks from Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Mary Wagner. The court also will recognize the current Attorneys for Justice at the event. Purchase tickets to attend on the LAET website.

Former U.S. Rep. Mark Green is joining with New Orleans attorney and lobbyist Marc Hebert to launch a business venture, the Nashville Banner reports. Business filings in Florida show that Green and Hebert have started Prosimos to help American businesses launch ventures overseas with the goal of thwarting Chinese businesses. Talking about the new role, Green said, “We’re in a battle for alliances globally and if we want to win those alliances, we should have foreign governments become addicted to American businesses. And the battle is very clear. It’s between us and China. … If an American company doesn’t do it, a Chinese company will.” Green left Congress in July. Early voting in the race to succeed him began this week.

Tennessee Attorney General (AG) Jonathan Skrmetti joined the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and a bipartisan coalition of six other state attorneys general today in a lawsuit against Ticketmaster and its parent entity, Live Nation Entertainment. The suit alleges the companies engage in a ticket scalping scheme that locks out fans and drives up prices. The suit cites violations of the federal Better Online Ticket Sales Act (BOTS Act) and the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act. The coalition is seeking injunctive relief to stop the alleged practices and monetary relief to compensate harmed consumers. Read more in a press release from the AG’s office.

The Tennessee Supreme Court on Sept. 16 issued an order soliciting comments from the legal community and the public on seven questions related to regulation of the legal profession. The court said the goal of the effort is to lower barriers to entry into the profession and ensure availability of affordable legal services in the state while ensuring the competency of attorneys and safeguarding the public. Comments should address whether the court should (1) modify, reduce or eliminate reliance on American Bar Association (ABA) accreditation in setting minimum educational requirements for lawyers; (2) consider alternatives to ABA accreditation; (3) consider adopting alternative pathways for admission to the bar; (4) consider modifying requirements for admission for those licensed in other states; and (5) modify, reduce or eliminate regulations prohibiting non-lawyer ownership of law firms or fee sharing with non-lawyers. Feedback also is sought on whether there are less costly alternatives to the traditional three-year law school curriculum and whether any legal services currently provided by lawyers could be competently provided by paraprofessionals. Comments should include docket No. ADM2025-01403 and be submitted by March 16, 2026, to Clerk James Hivner, Re: Regulatory Reform, 100 Supreme Court Building, 401 7th Ave. N., Nashville, TN 37219 or by email to appellatecourtclerk@tncourts.gov.

Representatives of the TBA were at Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law (LMU Law) today to talk to students about membership in the association. Knoxville attorney and YLD District Representative Mari Jasa was in attendance to answer any questions students had about entering the legal profession and getting involved with the TBA while in law school. LMU Law students Jillian McGauley and Charlie Pritchett, who were members of the YLD's inaugural Rural Judicial Fellowship program, also were on hand to share their experiences. Students also were encouraged to apply for the award-winning DLI program. The 2026 class application is available and due on Nov. 2. See photos from the day.

The TBA is now accepting applications for its award-winning Public Service Academy, a nonpartisan, statewide effort to encourage attorneys to run for office and take on public service leadership roles in their communities. Those selected for the academy will take part in the program Nov. 14-15 in Nashville. The program will feature top political and campaign experts who will provide attorneys with the tools they need to run for local public offices such as school board, city council and county commission. Applications are due by Oct. 6. Access the application form here.

More than 150 patients have been admitted in Middle Tennessee under Jillian’s Law since it took effect in July 2024, prompting the state to expand hospital capacity, FOX 17 reports. The 2024 legislation — named after Jillian Ludwig, a Belmont University student who was killed after she was hit by a stray bullet while walking near campus in Nashville — requires defendants deemed mentally incompetent to stand trial to be committed for treatment rather than released. To accommodate the additional patients, the Harold Jordan Center increased its staffed beds from six to 12, and the Middle Tennessee Mental Health Institute added 25 beds, funded through more than $6 million in new state allocations. Officials said there is currently no waiting list, and about 125 of the admitted patients would likely have been hospitalized even without Jillian’s Law. Lawmakers and mental health advocates say the expansion improves public safety and ensures the law is implemented effectively.

Cade Cothren, who resigned as chief of staff to former Tennessee Speaker of the House Glen Casada in 2019, on Tuesday was sentenced to 30 months in prison for his role in a scheme using the state’s constituent mailer program. The Tennessee Lookout reports he was ordered to pay a $25,000 fine and will also be required to remain on probation for one year after serving his time in federal prison. Cothren was convicted alongside Casada of secretly running Phoenix Solutions, a company that funneled taxpayer-funded mailer business for profit. U.S. District Judge Eli Richardson handed down the sentence after rejecting defense objections, finding Cothren used “intricate” money laundering to conceal the scheme. Attorneys for Cothren said they plan to appeal. Casada’s sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 23.