Gibson County Safe Baby Court (SBC) held its first graduation ceremony on March 13, reuniting a mother with her four children. “If I didn't have Safe Baby Court, I wouldn't have my babies back now,” said Stacey, a SBC graduate. “Thanks to all the support from Safe Baby and Recovery, I have a new life today.” Gibson County Juvenile Court implemented the SBC in 2024, becoming the third county in West Tennessee to do so. “Safe Baby Court is not easy,” said Juvenile Court Judge Mark Johnson. “It is a long road for parents who have the willingness to make life better for their young children, but not always the ability to succeed without help. Stacey’s case is a perfect example of teamwork between two separate judges and courts.” Read more in a profile from the Administrative Office of the Courts.

A three-year legal battle over the new Memphis Art Museum was dismissed by Shelby County Chancellor Melanie Taylor Jefferson last week, with plaintiffs Friends for our Riverfront and heirs of the city's founders arguing the $180 million museum violated restrictions on how riverfront land should be used. The Daily Memphian reports that the lawsuit, filed in 2023, claimed the museum's construction conflicted with terms set by city founders in 1819 and 1820, which designated the land as a public promenade, and violated easement terms for a public Bluff Walk. The plaintiffs plan to appeal the ruling, while defendants — the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art and the City of Memphis — maintain the museum is consistent with the land's public purpose and that the current administration has the right to determine how the riverfront is used.

The Tennessee Senate Finance Ways and Means Committee passed the FAIR Rx Act (SB2040/HB1959) with bipartisan support on March 24. The bill would bar pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from owning the pharmacies they manage, targeting vertically integrated companies like CVS, which has threatened to close all 134 stores in the state if the bill becomes law. Relatedly, the Tennessee Journal reports that Attorney General (AG) Jonathan Skrmetti is threatening to sue CVS for using customers' pharmacy data to run a political text campaign against the bill. Cost estimates are disputed, with state officials suggesting the bill could cost taxpayers up to $53 million annually, though legislative analysts argue pharmacies could restructure rather than close. The controversy is fueled by audits showing CVS's PBM arm, Caremark, routinely underpaid independent pharmacies and overcharged a federal employee health benefits program by more than $615 million. The Tennessean has more on the developments.

Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Sarah K. Campbell will serve as the keynote speaker for the University of Tennessee Winston College of Law's Spring 2026 commencement ceremony on May 14. Campbell joined the court in February 2022. Prior to her appointment, she served in the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office as associate solicitor general and special assistant to the attorney general. “We are honored to welcome Justice Campbell back to Rocky Top for this milestone event in our graduating students’ law school journey,” said Dean Lonnie T. Brown Jr. Campbell graduated from the University of Tennessee in 2004 and from Duke University School of Law in 2009. Read more in a press release from the law school.

The TBA YLD and Belmont Law need attorney volunteers for a wills clinic on April 11 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. CDT. This clinic will serve Rebuilding Nashville Together clients. Attorneys will assist with drafting simple wills, durable powers of attorney (POAs) and health care POAs for program participants. Belmont Law students will serve as witnesses. Please email ginny.blake@belmont.edu if you are interested in helping or would like more information.

Juvenile Court Magistrate Judge Mitzi H. Pollard has announced her candidacy for Shelby County Circuit Court Division 3. She received her law degree in 2001 from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. Pollard was a sole practitioner for more than 12 years, focusing on mediation, juvenile and family law, and advocating for vulnerable children and working families. She was appointed magistrate judge by Judge Dan Michael in 2015 and reappointed in 2022 by Judge Tarik Sugarmon. Pollard says in a statement that throughout her legal career, she has "remained deeply committed to public service, professional excellence and the fair and impartial administration of justice. My candidacy is rooted in a desire to continue that service on the Circuit Court bench — ensuring that every litigant is treated with dignity, that the law is applied faithfully and that our courts remain accessible, efficient and trusted by the community." Learn more at www.pollardforjudge.com.

The inaugural Joint Georgia/Tennessee Construction Law Conference hosted by TBA's Construction Law Section is now available as a 1-Click package. The CLE sessions are for both Georgia and Tennessee construction attorneys, covering topics such as regional differences in construction law, a view from the bench session featuring judges and arbitrators, a case study session and more. The program offers 6.5 total CLE hours, including one dual hour. Access the individual programs or the 1-Click package.

The Tennessee Trial Court Vacancy Commission reports that it received two applications — from Aaron J. Chapman of Morristown and Mark S. Stapleton of Rogersville — to fill a vacancy in the 3rd Judicial District Circuit Court. Because it did not have three names to forward, under the law, Gov. Bill Lee may appoint any qualified individual to the position. The vacancy was created by the appointment of William E. Phillips II to the Tennessee Court of Appeals. The district covers Greene, Hamblen, Hancock and Hawkins counties. Read more from the commission.

The University of Tennessee Winston College of Law’s National Moot Court Team won first place at the Region VII Competition of the 76th annual National Moot Court Competition last fall at Loyola University New Orleans College of Law. The victory marked the team’s fourth regional championship in six years, and allowed it to advance to the national final rounds in New York City in January. Longtime coaches and professors emeriti John L. Sobieski Jr. and Don Leatherman guided the team to its win. “Their hard work, ability and poise under pressure were evident in every round. We couldn’t be prouder of their achievement,” Sobieski said in a press release from the school.

Memphis attorney Jahari Dowdy has announced her candidacy for Shelby County Criminal Court judge in Division 1. Dowdy, a graduate of Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge, has two decades of experience in criminal law and is the owner of the Law Office of J.M. Dowdy PLLC. Her practice has included representing clients in both state and federal courts, handling cases ranging from misdemeanors to serious violent felonies. Dowdy said her work has focused on thorough case investigations, careful review of evidence and maintaining clear communication with clients and their families. Her courtroom experience includes jury and bench trials, as well as suppression, bail and preliminary hearings. Read more in a press release or visit her campaign website.