According to the Shelby County Juvenile Court's recently released annual report, data from the past three fiscal years shows that the court is jailing more children for longer periods than in the prior two fiscal years. Despite a decline in serious offenses, detention admissions rose from 872 in FY 2022 to 1,142 in FY 2024, with the average stay lengthening from 34 to 44 days. Critics argue this rollback in progress harms children and increases recidivism, while the court cites factors such as delayed evaluations, lack of guardians and insufficient community alternatives. The trend has strained the Youth Justice and Education Center, prompting Sheriff Floyd Bonner to withdraw his office from managing the facility in 2024 after warning of overcrowding, prolonged stays and inadequate staffing. MLK50 has the story.

Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) is now accepting applications for its Master of Science in Legal Studies program with concentrations in entertainment; anti-money laundering, fraud and compliance; and business law. The degree's first cohort will begin in 2026. A non-thesis program for business professionals and others seeking a deeper understanding of U.S. laws and the legal system, participants do not require a law degree to apply and will not be eligible to practice law with the degree. The program is housed in MTSU’s Department of Accounting in the Jennings A. Jones College of Business and offered in collaboration with the Scott Borchetta College of Media and Entertainment and the Nashville School of Law (NSL). Students will take evening classes for part of the program at NSL and additional classes through MTSU in hybrid, online and in-person formats.

The Spence Wilson Center for Interdisciplinary Humanities at Rhodes College will host a free public lecture on Sept. 18 at 6 p.m. CDT by Harvard University professor and Allen Lab for Democracy Renovation Director Dr. Danielle Allen. Pre-registration is required. Allen will talk about her award-winning book "Our Declaration: A Reading of the Declaration of Independence in Defense of Equality," which revisits the founding document. View a flyer for the event. In advance of the declaration's 250th anniversary in 2026, Allen also is compiling resources to mark the milestone. Check those out on her lab's website.

The 2025 Southeast Complex Litigation Conference will be held Oct. 29 at the Tennessee Bankers Association in Nashville, offering updates on mass torts, class actions and whistleblower cases. National litigators will discuss emerging litigation involving medical devices, pharmaceutical drugs and consumer products, as well as best practices for identifying, prosecuting and defending complex cases. Session topics include class actions and multidistrict litigation basics, whistleblower claims under the False Claims Act and key trends in aggregate litigation. Speakers include Mark Chalos of Lieff, Cabraser, Heimann & Bernstein and Tricia Herzfeld of Herzfeld, Suetholz, Gastel, Leniski & Wall, with additional speakers and content to be announced in the coming weeks. For more details, to register and to stay updated, visit the TBA website.

The state of Tennessee is appealing a federal judge’s order that permanently blocked a state law making it a crime to “recruit” minors for the purpose of obtaining an out-of-state abortion. The provision, included in a 2024 abortion trafficking law, was blocked by Senior U.S. Circuit Judge Julia Gibbons in July. Gibbons argued the provision was a clear violation of First Amendment rights, noting that is only criminalizes one side of speech about abortion. Gibbons, who sits on 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, presided over the case after several other judges recused themselves. The state has appealed the ruling to the 6th Circuit, Tennessee Lookout reports.

Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder has launched his campaign for the 5th Congressional District, seeking to replace Republican U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles of Columbia, the Nashville Post reports. Molder has served as mayor since 2018. He announced in July that he would not seek a third term. A graduate of the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, Molder practiced law in Columbia before running for office. As a new lawyer he was active in the TBA Young Lawyers Division. According to Molder, his campaign will be “focused on bringing people together to build new coalitions and bring voters from all across the political spectrum.” The Columbia Herald has photos from the announcement.

Brad Gaines, a former Vanderbilt University football player and father of conservative political activist Riley Gaines, is entering the race for Tennessee's 6th Congressional District. The Tennessean reports that he joins fellow Republicans Dale Braden, former Tennessee congressman Van Hilleary, Rep. Johnny Garrett and Knoxville businessman Joe Reid. Democrat Mike Croley and unaffiliated candidate Christopher Monday — who ran for the same seat as an independent in 2020 — also have thrown their hats in the ring. U.S. Rep. John Rose, R-Cookeville, is leaving Congress to run for Tennessee governor. The 6th Congressional District includes parts of Nashville, Ridgetop and Goodlettsville.

The TBA Construction Law Section will host the inaugural Joint Georgia/Tennessee Construction Conference Oct. 9-10 in Chattanooga. The two-day event will kick off with a welcome networking reception followed by a day of high quality CLE sessions for both Georgia and Tennessee lawyers. Topics include regional differences in construction law, a view from the bench session featuring judges and arbitrators, insurance 101, AI and ethics, construction defect trends and a case study session. The program will offer 6.75 total CLE hours, including one dual hour. CLE credit will be submitted to both Georgia and Tennessee. Get more information and register.

Morristown lawyer Joseph “Randall” Shelton died Aug. 31 under the compassionate care of Caris Healthcare Hospice, surrounded by his family. A 1964 graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Law (now Winston College of Law), Shelton served in the U.S. Army and later opened his East Tennessee law practice, where he provided 50 years of dedicated legal service. A Celebration of Life will be held Sept. 27 at 1 p.m. EDT at Gateway Church, 503 S. Jackson St., Morristown 37813. Memorial contributions may be made to the church or Rotary Foundation. Call 866-976-8279 to donate by mail.

The Tennessee Supreme Court unanimously elected Justice Jeff Bivins to be the next chief justice of the court. Bivins was elected for a three-year term beginning Sept. 1. This is the second time he has held the role having previously served in the position from 2016-2021. Bivins was appointed to the court by then-Gov. Bill Haslam. He previously served on the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals and the 21st Judicial District Circuit Court. Following election by his colleagues, Bivins said, “Tennessee has the finest judiciary in the country. Our judges are dedicated public servants who serve with integrity. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with all of them to strengthen public confidence in our courts, access to justice, and the rule of law in Tennessee.” Read more in a release from the Administrative Office of the Courts.