Former Chattanooga accountant Jonathan D. Frost has pleaded guilty to three federal felonies, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to defraud the United States. According to a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice, the scheme misused investor funds meant for a hydrogen gas facility but instead were converted to the personal use of Frost and his co-conspirators. Frost waived his right to a grand jury indictment before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christopher H. Steger and agreed to a monetary judgment against him of at least $70 million. His sentence will be determined later by Chief U.S. District Judge Travis R. McDonough at a hearing set for Aug. 7. Frost faces up to a combined 45 years in federal prison. Victims of Frost's hydrogen plant scheme are encouraged to email the FBI and access case updates through this website.

A federal judge ruled Tuesday that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) cannot re-detain Kilmar Abrego Garcia now that a 90-day detention period has expired because the government has no viable plan for deporting him, the Associated Press reports. U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis of Maryland wrote in her order that the government “made one empty threat after another to remove him to countries in Africa with no real chance of success. From this, the Court easily concludes that there is no ‘good reason to believe’ removal is likely in the reasonably foreseeable future.” Xinis also noted the government has “purposely — and for no reason — ignored the one country [Costa Rico] that has consistently offered to accept Abrego Garcia as a refugee, and to which he agrees to go.” Abrego Garcia’s attorney has argued the government cannot hold him indefinitely with no viable deportation plan.

Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert has pulled a qualifying petition to run for a third term even though the county charter limits her to two consecutive terms. The Daily Memphian raises the possibility that Halbert's action might forecast a challenge to those limits, which have been in place since 2010. According to the paper, Halbert also picked up qualifying petitions for the May 5 Democratic primary for county trustee and criminal court clerk. The deadline to file qualifying petitions for the primary is Feb. 19. If Halbert files a petition for county clerk, the Shelby County Election Commission will determine her eligibility and could seek guidance from the Tennessee coordinator of elections if a legal challenge arises.

As part of its ongoing effort to gather feedback from Tennessee attorneys on the Tennessee Supreme Court’s Sept. 16 order seeking public comment on seven areas of potential regulatory changes to the legal profession, the TBA’s Legal Access and Regulatory Reform Task Force is hosting a series of virtual town halls. Thursday's event will start at noon CDT and focus on the role of paraprofessionals. There is no cost to attend but registration is required to receive the meeting link. Attorneys also are encouraged to review the TBA’s Legal Access & Regulatory Reform resource page before attending.

The Tennessee Supreme Court on Feb. 17 referred the case of Knox County lawyer Dianne Elizabeth Lashmit to the Board of Professional Responsibility for it to “evaluate the facts and circumstances” of the case and proceed “as appropriate.” From September 2013 to January 2024, Lashmit was employed as a Blount County Juvenile Court magistrate. Last fall she pleaded guilty to failure to report child abuse in violation of Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-1-412. She eventually disclosed the information to police. As part of her plea, she received a one-year suspended sentence and judicial diversion.

U.S. District Judge William L. Campbell decided not to grant a preliminary injunction to a lawsuit challenging a Tennessee law that allows police to arrest people who approach within 25 feet after a direct order to stop. According to the Nashville Banner newsletter, Campbell ruled that the plaintiffs — a coalition of media organizations that includes the Banner — did not demonstrate immediate and irreparable harm. Campbell said the plaintiffs could not point to a specific case of the law hindering Tennessee media in covering the news since it went into effect in July 2025. The state said the law applies in three scenarios: a traffic stop, an active investigation and an “ongoing and immediate” public safety concern. The plaintiffs have expressed concern about the “unbridled discretion” the statute could offer police. Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) has instructed officers not to enforce the law while the litigation is pending. The lawsuit will continue, and Campbell said he would welcome a further motion or conversations between the parties if MNPD’s policy changes.

Knoxville is highlighting Black history attractions and exhibits across the city in recognition of Black History Month. Featured sites include the Beck Cultural Exchange Center in East Knoxville, the Alex Haley Heritage Square at Morningside Park, the Cal Johnson Mural, and downtown institutions such as the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and the East Tennessee History Center. The guide also spotlights the Knoxville Museum of Art, home to the world’s largest public collection of works by Knoxville-born artist Beauford Delaney, as well as the McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture on the University of Tennessee campus. Outdoor and historic destinations include Carl Cowan Park, the William Hastie Natural Area and statues honoring Negro Southern League players at Covenant Health Park. The self-guided Knoxville African American Heritage Guide and related tours offer additional context on the city’s Black leaders, artists, athletes and civil rights history. Visit Knoxville has more details on these sites.

This week, the TBA will offer two webcast replays from last year's “Raising the Bar” program. On Feb. 19, from noon to 1 p.m. CST, “Using Your Legal Skills to Do Good in the Community (And for Yourself)” will explore how attorneys can apply their legal skills through community service and board involvement while also strengthening their professional networks and careers. Then on Feb. 20, from noon to 1 p.m. CST, “Expanding Your Practice or Portfolio” will feature Brentwood lawyer Rebecca Blair discussing the process of becoming a Rule 31–listed mediator and building a mediation practice. Memphis lawyer Psonya Hackett also will outline the pathway to becoming a certified divorce coach as well as strategies for developing a sustainable coaching business.

On Feb. 17, the Tennessee Supreme Court suspended Loudon County attorney William Anthony Paxton from the practice of law for one year, with the entire suspension stayed if Paxton refrains from further misconduct and complies with a Nov. 25, 2025, order from the Supreme Court of Ohio. On Jan. 7, the Tennessee Supreme Court entered a notice of reciprocal discipline directing Paxton to demonstrate why it should not impose the same discipline imposed by the state of Ohio. The court notes that Paxton did not respond to its order. He also must comply with requirements regarding the obligations and responsibilities of suspended attorneys and the procedure for reinstatement.

The Tennessee Supreme Court permanently disbarred Knox County attorney Darren Vincent Berg from the practice of law on Feb. 17. The court also ordered Berg to pay restitution of $65,000 to two former clients. The court determined that in 11 separate matters, Berg engaged in ethical misconduct that involved failure to provide competent representation, act within the scope and authority communicated by clients, act with reasonable diligence, communicate with clients, properly terminate representation, expedite litigation, and provide legal services after accepting substantial fees. The court also found that he charged unreasonable fees, engaged in conflicts of interest, knowingly relied on non-meritorious claims, made false statements to courts and parties, engaged in improper communication with represented parties, engaged in the unauthorized practice of law after suspension of his license, repeatedly abandoned clients and their cases, and engaged in conduct involving deceit or dishonesty and prejudice to the administration of justice. These actions violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.7, 1.16, 3.1-3.5, 4.2, 4.4, 5.5, 8.1 and 8.4(b) – (d).