Students at Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law (LMU Law) in Knoxville will be able to take high-level, specialized courses at three ABA-accredited schools for no cost starting in spring 2026, the ABA Journal reports. Through a course-sharing agreement, Tennessee students will have access to online courses at Suffolk University Law School in Boston, St. Mary’s University School of Law in San Antonio and Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles. Administrators say the agreement will expand access to niche courses, reduce administrative burdens and enrich learning by connecting students across institutions. The long-term goal is to balance participation among the schools and potentially expand the program to more law schools. “Even though our part-time hybrid students already attend law school with students from all over the country, the opportunity to actually be enrolled in classes with students enrolled in different law schools will enrich their law school experiences,” said LMU Law Dean Matthew Lyon.

Dickson County government has provided $15,000 to the 23rd District Recovery Court to purchase a pickup truck for the program. According to a press release, the money comes from settlements reached between pharmaceutical companies and state and local governments to address the opioid crisis. The program will use the truck to transport equipment and supplies for participants in the court’s sober living residences. The recovery court provides services to residents who have been ordered by the court to seek treatment and monitored recovery due to addiction. The 18-month program offers housing, employment, transportation and comprehensive treatment services. According to the court, about 50 recovering addicts are served each year.

The TBA Administrative Law Section will host its annual forum on Dec. 11 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m CST. Save the date and watch for more information coming soon to the TBA website. Section members receive discounted registration. Not a section member yet? Get started here.

On Aug. 19, the Supreme Court of Tennessee suspended 73 attorneys for failing to complete annual continuing legal education requirements in 2024. View the order or see the full list online, including those who have been reinstated in the last few days. Attorneys suspended for not completing CLE requirements in 2019 and 2024 also recently were reinstated. Access all administrative suspension lists dating back to 2005.

The Tennessee Supreme Court on Aug. 21 suspended 25 attorneys for failure to pay the annual registration fee; 13 of whom also failed to file proof that client funds are held in an IOLTA-compliant account. View the fee suspension order and IOLTA suspension order. Three lawyers have been reinstated since the list came out: two who had been suspended in 2024 and one in 2025. See the list of all lawyers suspended and reinstated for fee and IOLTA violations in 2025 or access all administrative suspensions dating back to 2005.

President Donald Trump's order restricting birthright citizenship was blocked for a fourth time earlier this month, Reuters reports. The most recent decision comes from U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman in Maryland, who blocked implementation of the order for children anywhere in the United States who would be affected. Her decision came in a response to a class action suit filed by a number of advocacy groups. She previously had agreed to grant class action status to the case but put that decision on hold while the administration appealed her ruling to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The paper reports that the appeals court recently dismissed the administration's appeal. Boardman's action was consistent with a finding in February that the order likely was unconstitutional. In related news, Bloomberg Law reports that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is moving forward with plans to implement the order if allowed by the courts.

The Office of the Tennessee Attorney General recently announced the opening of a nationwide claims process and portal for customers of the tax debt settlement company Wall & Associates Inc. to submit claims to be considered for restitution. Those defrauded by the company should filed their claim before Dec. 10 online at www.WallConsumerClass.com. Customers also may contact the claims administrators Verus by phone at 609-283-5393, by e-mail at WallConsumerClass@VerusLLC.com or by mail at P.O. Box 6535, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648. In a press release, Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti said the company has collected more than a million dollars from hundreds of Tennesseans over the years.

The Tennessee Supreme Court on Aug. 20 dissolved a temporary suspension imposed on Hamilton County lawyer Steven Michael Hodgen on May 31, 2024. The court said that a final order of suspension imposed on Aug. 15 resolves the outstanding disciplinary matter against Hodgen and good cause exists to dissolve the temporary suspension.

Shelby County lawyer Brian Kirk Kelsey was reinstated to the practice of law on Aug. 20. He had been suspended on Dec. 8, 2022, after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and one count of aiding and abetting the acceptance of excessive contributions. The Tennessee Supreme Court approved the reinstatement based on Kelsey receiving a full and unconditional presidential pardon or the offenses on March 11.

The Tennessee Department of Revenue will host a free webinar on Aug. 26 to discuss manufacturing tax exemptions. Department staff will discuss the various tax exemptions for manufacturers and provide details about the registration and application process. Register for the webinar or see all upcoming educational events from the department. Read more about the program in a press release.