Mother appeals the termination of her parental rights. The trial court found three grounds for termination: abandonment by failure ot visit, abandonment by failure ot support, and failure to manifest an ability and willingness to assume custody. The trial court also concluded that terminating Mother's parental rights was ni the child's best interest. We conclude that hte trial court did not er ni concluding either that aground for termination was established or that termination is in the child's best interest.

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti and 13 other state attorneys general on Monday sent a letter to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), expressing concerns over its revived pilot program aimed at removing title insurance requirements from certain loans sold to Fannie Mae. In the letter, Skrmetti emphasized the role of title insurance in safeguarding homeowners from fraudulent activities and exploitation, and stated that the pilot solely benefits homeowners with "lower risk" refinance loans, neglecting the needs of first-time and low-income homeowners. In a March 7 statement, FHFA Director Sandra Thompson said, "The title acceptance pilot will make it possible to test whether allowing lenders to sell these refinance loans is a responsible approach to reducing the closing costs incurred by existing homeowners. Lenders will also retain the option to provide evidence of clear title through other options, such as title insurance or an attorney opinion letter (AOL)."

The Memphis-based Community Legal Center (CLC) will host a ribbon cutting ceremony and reception commemorating the opening of its new office on July 25 from 4-6 p.m. CDT. The center recently relocated to Brinkley Plaza at 80 Monroe Ave., Ste. 415, Memphis 38103. The event will celebrate the CLC's 30-year history of providing quality, affordable legal services for Memphians in need. RSVP here or email austinb@clcmemphis.org with questions.

Gov. Bill Lee recently appointed Nashville lawyer Ross V. Smith to the Tennessee Board of Appeals. This board plays a crucial role in resolving employment disputes by hearing appeals related to dismissals, demotions and suspensions of preferred service state employees. As a board member, Smith will participate in hearings and help render decisions on employee appeals, contributing to the fair application of state employment laws and policies. Smith is a senior public policy attorney at Bass, Berry and Sims PLC, and serves on the TBA Young Lawyers Division's Executive Committee. His term on the Board of Appeals will run through June 30, 2030. This appointment recognizes Smith's expertise and dedication to public service. 

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) has awarded Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) a "green light" rating for free speech protections, the Tennessean reports. FIRE, a national free-speech advocacy organization that routinely reviews both public and private universities’ campus speech policies, says the green light rating is reserved for institutions with "no written policies that seriously imperil student free speech rights." MTSU revised its policies earlier this year having previously received a "yellow light" rating from the organization. MTSU is home to both the John Seigenthaler Chair of Excellence in First Amendment Studies, which promotes awareness of the First Amendment and quality journalism in Tennessee, and the Free Speech Center, a nonpartisan, nonprofit public policy center that seeks to further First Amendment education.

For the week of July 15, 2024 - July 19, 2024

Virginia lawyer Justin Grey Woodward has been censured by the Tennessee Supreme Court. The court found that while representing a client in a contract dispute, Woodward failed to take prompt action after filing a lawsuit, resulting in a significant delay in the proceedings. He also failed to keep his client updated regarding the status of the proceedings or respond to his client’s requests for information. These actions were determined to violate Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3, 1.4, 1.16(a) and 3.2.

Wilson County lawyer Lindsey Leigh Lawrence has received a public censure from the Tennessee Supreme Court. The court found that in the representation of clients in a civil proceeding, Lawrence failed to file a reply to a counterclaim in compliance with applicable rules, failed to respond to written discovery (resulting in dismissal of her clients’ claims) and failed to keep clients advised of case status. In another case, Lawrence failed to pay an adult ward’s ongoing expenses, resulting in her removal as conservator by the court. Her actions were determined to violate Rule of Professional Conduct 1.3, 1.4 and 3.2.

Davidson County lawyer Sheryl D. Guinn has received a public censure from the Tennessee Supreme Court. The court found that she filed a health care liability lawsuit against a psychiatrist who treated her client at the urging of the client even though she did not believe there was a good faith basis for the suit. Guinn charged her client a $3,000 retainer and filed the suit. The other side was successful in getting the suit dismissed and the court awarded sanctions against Guinn. These actions were determined to violate Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1, 1.5, 3.1 and 8.4(d).

This appeal specifically concerns health care liability claims arising from medical treatment that occurred in 2011 and 2012. After complaints were filed in 2019, the defendants at issue in this appeal sought to have the claims related to the 2011 and 2012 treatment dismissed. The trial court thereafter entered an order dismissing such claims, holding that they were barred by the three-year statute of repose. Although the plaintiff now appeals, her appellate brief is significantly noncompliant with applicable briefing requirements. In light of these briefing deficiencies, we hold that the plaintiff has waived any issues raised and that the appeal should therefore be dismissed.