Daniel Herrera, former Knox County Republican party chairman, announced that he will challenge incumbent Republican Knox County Law Director David Buuck in the 2024 election. Herrera was elected party chair in 2021 at just 28 years old after defeating Harry Brooks with more than 60% of the vote. The Knoxville News Sentinel has more on Herrera's leadership experience.

The TBA Young Lawyers Division will launch its inaugural Diversity Law Week March 11-16, 2024, across the state, and is looking for attorneys and judges to provide high school students with a unique opportunity to learn firsthand from professionals. Students will shadow legal professionals during the week as well as engage in an immersive experience at a college or law school campus and observe a court proceeding. The goal of the program is to give high school students early exposure to the legal world and resources for a career in law. Those interested in volunteering to help the program are asked to register online. Thanks to YLD President Quinton Thompson for his vision for this program and program coordinators Chattanooga lawyer Ariel Anthony, Memphis lawyer Kevin Christopher and Nashville lawyer Erin Shackelford. Contact TBA Young Lawyers Division & Law Student Development Coordinator Laura Labenberg with any questions.

Book your room now for our discounted rates and the best views of Snowmass, Colorado! You can view more information and register for the course here. To reserve your room at the Stonebridge Inn, call 970-429-5055 and identify yourself as part of the Tennessee Bar Association CLE Ski group to get the discounted rate. You will be asked to provide your name, address and email address, any special requests and check in/check out dates. For the best service, contact the Stonebridge during the week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. MST or on the weekend from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. MST.

The Petitioner, Quintavious Montez Patton, appeals the denial of his petition for postconviction relief, arguing that the post-conviction court erred in finding that he received effective assistance of trial counsel. Based on our review, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court denying the petition.

The defendant, Juan De Paz Mondragon, was convicted by a Shelby County Criminal Court jury of two counts of second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, and employing a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, and the trial court imposed an effective sentence of thirty-eight years’ incarceration. On appeal, the defendant argues that the evidence is insufficient to support his convictions for seconddegree murder and attempted second-degree murder, and the trial court abused its discretion in imposing consecutive sentences. After review, we affirm the judgments of the trial court. Furthermore, we remand to the trial court entry of corrected judgment forms in counts one and two reflecting the merger of the defendant’s convictions for seconddegree murder into a single conviction.

The defendant, Eric Dewayne Milton, appeals from the trial court’s revocation of his community corrections sentence and order directing the defendant to serve the remainder of his eight-year sentence in confinement. On appeal, the defendant contends the trial court abused its discretion by failing to treat the defendant’s violation as a violation of probation and impose a thirty-day sentence of confinement. After a thorough review of the record, the applicable law, and the briefs of the parties, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

The defendant, Chauncy Black, was found guilty by a Shelby County jury of reckless endangerment of Kaleb Wakefield and reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon of Isabella Edwards for discharging a firearm into an occupied habitation. The trial court imposed a six-and-a-half-year sentence. On appeal, the defendant contends the evidence presented at trial was insufficient to support his conviction of reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon of Isabella Edwards. The defendant also argues the trial court erred in failing to instruct the jury as to a presumption of reasonableness in the use of deadly force within his residence. Following our review, we affirm the defendant’s convictions.

The U.S. Supreme Court today opted not to intervene in a legal fight over Louisiana's disputed map of congressional districts. Reuters reports that the decision could potentially delay the adoption of a new map to replace a Republican-drawn map that was found to unlawfully dilute the clout of Black voters. More than a year ago, U.S. District Judge Shelly Dick ruled that the original map likely violates the Voting Rights Act. The justices declined to rule on an order halting proceedings on a replacement map.

Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy announced yesterday that no charges will be filed in the death of Jarveon Hudspeth, who was shot by a county sheriff's officer during a traffic stop. The sheriff's office says the officer was injured after being dragged over 100 yards during the incident. A redacted version of the video of Hudspeth's death was released. Mulroy also announced the release of video in three other officer-involved shootings previously determined not to warrant charges, the Commercial Appeal reports. All videos are now available on the district attorney’s website. The release of redacted videos is in accordance with a new policy to release footage of fatal shootings sooner.

The Tennessee Supreme Court Historical Society recently held a reception to honor the current, outgoing and new members of the court. Retired Justice Sharon Lee and incoming Justice Dwight Tarwater specifically were recognized. The reception took place at the Nashville office of Holland & Knight. See photos from the event. The society was created in 1995 to ensure that the records and history of Tennessee courts are preserved and accessible to residents of the state. In addition, the organization works to educate Tennesseans of all ages about the rule of law and the importance of an independent judiciary.