Mother appeals the trial court’s termination of her parental rights as to two of her children. The trial court found as grounds for termination abandonment for failure to provide a suitable home, persistent conditions, and failure to manifest an ability and willingness to assume legal and physical custody of the children. The trial court also found that termination was in the best interest of both children. We find clear and convincing evidence supports the trial court’s findings as to the grounds for termination and the best interests of the children. Accordingly, we affirm the trial court’s judgment.

Gov. Bill Lee has announced that the Tennessee General Assembly will convene for a special legislative session focused on public safety on Aug. 21. A press release from Lee's office states, in part, “There is broad agreement that action is needed, and in the weeks ahead, we’ll continue to listen to Tennesseans and pursue thoughtful, practical measures that strengthen the safety of Tennesseans, preserve Second Amendment rights, prioritize due process protections, support law enforcement and address mental health.” Tennesseans are encouraged to share their feedback using this form.

LexisNexis has released a new platform for case research and document drafting called Lexis+ AI. Like ChatGPT, the AI responds in a matter of seconds to prompts and can draft summaries, legal documents and communications. The platform also provides citations, including relevant caselaw, authorities and guidance, and allows users to copy and save generated text entries into separate folders. The ABA Journal reports that Thomson Reuters, parent company of Westlaw, pledges to invest $100 million per year in new technology and will integrate generative AI into its products later this year.

Rep. Ron Gant, R-Rossville, has undergone surgery following a heart attack, according the House Republican Caucus. Gant, who is still recovering from injuries to his arms and hip sustained in a car wreck in October, had a stent placed in a blocked artery. Updates on his condition are available via his Facebook page.

An investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has resulted in the indictment of Monica Bridges, who served as the full-time coordinator of the Gibson County Recovery Court from October 2019 until her resignation in September 2022. The investigation began after citizens reported questionable time-reporting practices and other concerns about the court’s operations. The court allows non-violent offenders with substance abuse issues to obtain treatment while under close legal and clinical supervision. Investigators determined that Bridges received at least $25,425.25 in improper wages and payroll benefits. This includes at least $20,760.22 in unearned compensation for 1,156.24 hours she did not work; $1,665.04 in prorated matching benefits and payments for Medicare and Social Security costs incurred by the county; and $2,999.99 in supplemental pay that she did not earn.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is working to clear a backlog of 230,000 court case dispositions that have not yet been linked to criminal records in the state’s background check system, which is used for prospective gun buyers, officials said. The gap means some individuals could potentially have a criminal conviction that would disqualify them from buying a gun, but the case may not show up in a background check. According to the Tennessean, while many states solely use the federal background check system, Tennessee is one of 13 states that conduct their own background checks using state and federal records.

Chancellor John C. Rambo of Jonesborough will be honored next month at the TBA Annual Convention with the Judge Pamela L. Reeves Tennessee Professionalism Award from the Tennessee Bar Association and the Tennessee American Inns of Court. The award is named in honor of the late Judge Reeves, who was also the first recipient of the award in 2020. Chancellor of the First Judicial District, Rambo practiced law in Northeast Tennessee for 19 years before assuming the chancery court bench in 2013. Attorneys who have practiced in his court note that Rambo is dedicated to the highest standards of the rule of law and of the legal profession in Tennessee. His nominator, Mark W. McFall, says that “Chancellor Rambo possesses the ideal judicial temperament, patience with lawyers and litigants, and a true desire to mete out equity and justice in his rulings and opinions.”

For the week of May 1, 2023 - May 5, 2023

The TBA International Law Section will host the second half of its annual forum live in Nashville on June 2 at 1212 Germantown from 1:30-3:45 p.m. CDT. Participants can earn two general CLE hours. The first session will feature attorney Larry Harrington discussing international business practices in South America, while the second session will focus on foreign direct investment with Jim Hollingshad, senior advisor for economic and business affairs with the Consulate-General of Japan. A networking reception will immediately follow the forum from 3:45-5 p.m., which is open to all International Law Section members in addition to forum registrants. Register here.

This is an administrative property tax appeal concerning the classification of real property for ad valorem tax purposes. This action originated with a taxpayer appeal of the property valuation by the Sevier County property assessor. On appeal, the administrative law judge re-classified the property as commercial, resulting in a tax assessment of 40% of the fair market property value. The Assessment Appeals Commission reversed the classification. The trial court affirmed the reversal. We now reinstate the commercial classification.