President Donald Trump, along with several cabinet members, attended a Memphis Safe Task Force roundtable, according to the Daily Memphian. In remarks that also touched on foreign and domestic policy, Trump praised Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Memphis Mayor Paul Young — who was not in attendance — for their efforts, noting the decline in the city’s homicide rate. The Commercial Appeal reports that the task force has made 7,240 arrests and seized 1,188 firearms. Trump was joined on the visit by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel, U.S. Marshals Service Director Gadyaces Serralta, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller. Lee, Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, and House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, were on hand to represent the state. The task force has been working in Memphis since September 2025 and has added more than 1,500 federal personnel to the city’s law enforcement presence. Watch the remarks from USA Today. Congressman Steve Cohen, D-Memphis, was set to hold press conference prior to the president’s event according to News 5, while state Rep. Justin Pearson, D-Memphis, held a protest rally and Mayor Young released a statement after the visit.

The Davidson County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office is warning residents about scam emails and text messages claiming recipients have outstanding parking or toll violations, according to Local News Break. The messages include fake links or QR codes that lead to fraudulent websites. In a press release, Clerk Joseph P. Day said the court does not send texts or emails about past-due tickets. Officials advise recipients not to click links or scan QR codes, and not to share personal or financial information. Legitimate Tennessee government emails end in “@tn.gov” and residents should use verified contact information rather than details provided in suspicious messages. Those with questions can call 615-880-3305 or email circuitclerkpr@nashville.gov to confirm.

On March 23, the Tennessee Supreme Court temporarily suspended Carter County lawyer Jason Lee Holly from the practice of law after finding that he failed to respond to the Board of Professional Responsibility on two misconduct complaints. Holly is precluded immediately from accepting any new cases and must cease representing existing clients by April 22. The suspension remains in effect until dissolution or modification by the court.

Nashville attorney Lawrence Richard "Larry" Ahern III died March 18 at age 79. He received his law degree from Vanderbilt University Law School in 1972. He went on to practice at several firms, including Miller & Martin, Bass, Berry & Sims, and Burr & Forman. Later in his career, he served as a consultant and expert witness on bankruptcy, commercial and real estate matters before taking retired partner status in 2023 at Brown & Ahern, the firm he cofounded. Ahern was a longtime member of the TBA’s Bankruptcy Section Executive Council and served as an adjunct professor at multiple law schools. A celebration of life will be announced at a later date with arrangements by Marshall-Donnelly-Combs Funeral Home.

Each year, the Chattanooga Bar Association (CBA) honors an outstanding citizen in the Chattanooga area with the Liberty Bell Award for public service. Nominations are now being accepted for the 2026 award, which will be presented at the group's annual Law Day Luncheon on May 6 from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. EDT at St. John's Restaurant. Nominations must be received by April 3 and may be sent to CBA Executive Director Lynda Minks Hood by mail at The Pioneer Building, Suite 420, 801 Broad St., Chattanooga, TN 37402, by fax at 423-265-6602 or online using this form. More information on the nomination process is available at Chattanoogan.com. Learn more about the Law Day event on the CBA's website.

Nashville attorney and former Metro Nashville Public Defender (PD) Dawn Deaner has announced her candidacy for Division III Criminal Court judge. Deaner, who has nearly 30 years of experience in Nashville’s criminal courts, said she is running to bring “experience, perspective, and humanity” to the bench. She served as public defender from 2008 to 2018, where she led reforms such as implementing workload controls, launching a Court Watch program and advancing pretrial release efforts. Prior to that role, she worked for more than a decade as an assistant public defender. Deaner also founded the Choosing Justice Initiative, a nonprofit focused on expanding access to justice, and has been involved in efforts such as the Nashville Community Bail Fund and the Steering Clear Driver’s License Diversion Program. Read more in a press release.

Chief U.S. District Judge Sheryl Lipman of the Western District of Tennessee ruled last week that she will not split the civil case stemming from Tyré Nichols’ death into two trials, the Commercial Appeal reports. Lipman said separating the claims could prejudice the City of Memphis because ongoing stays in related criminal cases have limited discovery involving the individual officers. Attorneys for Nichols’ mother, RowVaughn Wells, had sought to bifurcate the case in an effort to speed it to trial, arguing it could otherwise be delayed until 2028 or 2029 due to stays on the criminally charged officers. City attorneys opposed the request, saying it would hinder their ability to defend against liability claims. Lipman denied the motion but granted a request from Wells’ attorneys to hold a status conference within a week of the ruling, which was set for today.

The TBA Animal Law Forum 2026 will take place Oct. 9 at the Nashville Zoo. This annual favorite provides updates on trends and advancements in animal law and related practice areas. Participants can meet with other animal lovers and enjoy the fun the zoo offers. Zoo admission, breakfast, lunch and an animal meet and greet are included with the program. Topics and more information coming soon. Do not miss this event, you never know who is going to show up! Register now.

Agathos Classical School of Columbia was named the 2026 Tennessee State High School Mock Trial champion after two days of preliminary rounds. The school prevailed over the University School of Nashville. Tennessee State Supreme Court Justice Sarah Campbell presided over the round, while members of the TBA Young Lawyers Division's (YLD) Executive Committee, TBA President Heidi Barcus and TBA President-elect Charlotte Knight Griffin served as jurors. Earlier in the day, the top eight teams were announced, an MVP for each of the 16 teams was recognized, individual awards were presented to the best advocates and witnesses, and Unicoi County High School of Erwin was awarded the 2026 Sportsmanship Award. The top three artists in the inaugural Artist in the Courtroom Contest also were recognized. James Overstreet of Houston High School in Germantown was selected as the top artist.

Special thanks to YLD Mock Trial Committee Chair John Jolley, Vice Chair Bridget Pyman, Long Range Planning Coordinator Ashley Tipton and members of the committee for organizing this year's event, which involved 16 teams, more than 200 participants and more than 100 volunteers, including sitting Tennessee judges, lawyers and the YLD's Diversity Leadership Institute's law students. Agathos Classical School will represent Tennessee at the National High School Mock Trial Competition in Des Moines, Iowa in May. The team is coached by Columbia attorneys Jason Whatley and Cory Ricci of Whatley & Associates and Luke Worsham. See photos from this event.

Individuals interested in learning more about mock trial are encouraged to view the new TBA YLD Mock Trial 101 video available on the TBA website.

Due to TBA’s Day on the Hill and Big Shrimp Reception this week, our legislative team is taking a break from the Legislative Updates Podcast. Watch for a new episode to release next Friday on Facebook and on the TBA website. As always, you also can follow TBA’s coverage of legislative news in the General Assembly section of the Law Blog or sort all news by category by using the filter tool at the top of the Law Blog page.