District Attorney General Robert Nash has asked the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) to examine the Millersville Police Department's child predator sting amid questions about whether the lead detective in the case committed perjury. The sting, conducted with the aid of the nonprofit Veterans for Child Rescue, led to one arrest. Discrepancies have now emerged regarding the nonprofit's involvement. Detective Todd Dorris claims that the nonprofit only provided advice, but recordings from a former member of the group suggest they were actively involved in the operation, including posing as a minor during the sting. News Channel 5 Nashville has more on the story.

Sessions from the TBA’s 2024 Litigation Practice Forum are now available on demand as a 1-Click CLE package. Programming includes a session covering Tennessee summary judgement, evidentiary privilege and the ethical implications of artificial intelligence from the perspective of the Board of Professional Responsibility. Earn one dual and two general CLE credits with just one click. Learn more and purchase the CLE here.

With this program, TBA seeks to expand the group of legal advocates certified to serve Tennessee veterans, who are underrepresented in the Veterans Affairs Department’s (VA) claims and appeals processes. Introduction to the Practice of Veterans Law — a live virtual event on Oct. 30 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CDT — will cover information about claims procedures, basic benefits eligibility, right to appeal, disability compensation, dependency and indemnity compensation, and pensions. Presenters will be James R. Drysdale with the VA Office of General Counsel in Washington, D.C., and VA certified lawyers Seth Ogden and Rita Gibson Rayford.

TBA’s Young Lawyers Division and Law Student Development Coordinator Laura Labenberg has been selected to serve on two committees for the National High School Mock Trial Championship. Labenberg, who among other responsibilities, coordinates the state high school mock trial competition, will sit on the Site Selection and Grants committees. The national mock trial competition is held each May in locations across the country. Tennessee’s first place team goes on to compete at the competition each year. Labenberg joined the TBA in 2022 after serving as professor of rhetoric at Hofstra University and executive director of an educational nonprofit in New York. She holds a doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies from Hofstra.

The Tennessee Department of Revenue will host a free webinar on Aug. 27 at 9 a.m. CDT to discuss the Tennessee Retail Accountability Program. Department staff will provide detailed information about audits/assessments, wholesaler data and more. Learn more or register here. The webinar is one in a series of educational sessions held by the department each month.

Make plans now to attend the TBA’s 2024 Health Law Primer and Health Law Forum this fall. The primer will take place Oct. 16 in downtown Nashville. Designed for those new to health practice, it will provide a general health law overview and practical tips to identify and avoid the pitfalls of real-life situations in the heavily regulated health care industry. Then on Oct. 17 and 18, the forum will take place in Franklin’s Cool Springs area. The two-day event will dig deeper into topics such as private equity, antitrust laws, digital health, cyber security, legislative and state case updates and ethics. David Higginson, executive vice president of Phoenix Children's Hospital, will give this year’s keynote address. The premier program for Tennessee health care lawyers, the forum provides all necessary CLE requirements for the year — 12 general hours and three dual hours — while providing opportunities to connect with colleagues from across the state.

TBA's Disability Law Section will host a one hour webcast, Changes in Past Relevant Work, on Aug. 7 at 11:30 a.m. CDT. Join attorneys Emma Webb and Chris George as they discuss recent Social Security regulatory changes that positively impact claimants and recipients. Reserve your spot now!

The American Bar Association (ABA) Annual Meeting will take place in Chicago starting next week. Among the many events being planned is a Tennessee Reception hosted by the Tennessee Bar Association (TBA). The event will take place on Aug. 3 from 5:30-7 p.m. CDT at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, in the Crystal C Ballroom. The TBA regularly recognizes a distinguished Tennessee lawyer at these receptions, and this event will honor Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Holly M. Kirby. Justice Kirby has served on the court since 2014 and was named chief justice in 2023. Before joining the court, she made history as the first woman in the state to be named to the Tennessee Court of Appeals, where she served for almost 19 years. Any lawyers who will be attending the Annual Meeting are invited to join their colleagues for this reception. View the invitation.

The defendant, Noah Rashad Lyles, pleaded guilty to theft of property between $1,000 and $2,500, and the trial court imposed a sentence of three years’ incarceration in the Tennessee Department of Correction. On appeal, the defendant argues the trial court erred in denying his request for alternative sentencing. After reviewing the record and considering the applicable law, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

The Defendant appeals as of right his jury conviction of reckless homicide for which he received a sentence of twelve years’ incarceration. The sole issue presented for our review is whether the evidence was sufficient to support the conviction. Upon our review, we affirm.