HB1202/SB1325, legislation sponsored by Rep. Ryan Williams, R-Cookeville, and Sen. Paul Bailey, R-Sparta, that would permit public school teachers in Tennessee to carry concealed handguns on campus if they meet certain requirements, passed the House 68-28-2. It previously passed the Senate by a vote of 26-5-1 on April 9. It now heads to Gov. Bill Lee’s desk for his signature. WKRN reports that Democrats brought more than a dozen amendments to try to mitigate the circumstances of the bill. All failed on party lines.

A Shelby County jury convicted the Defendant, Marshawn Brakefield, of attempted first degree murder involving serious bodily injury and employing a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony. The trial court sentenced the Defendant to serve an effective sentence of twenty-eight years. On appeal, the Defendant challenges the legal sufficiency of the evidence supporting his convictions, arguing that the only proof at trial was the testimony of a single witness who was not credible. Upon our review, we respectfully affirm the judgments of the trial court.

The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) has released a new episode of the Court Talk podcast, recorded at the 2024 Conference of Chief Justices in Nashville. Justice Sarah Campbell interviews Chief Justice Mary R. Russell of Missouri, Chief Justice Elissa Cadish of Nevada, Chief Justice Elizabeth Clement of Michigan and Chief Justice Ann Timmer of Arizona about how new technologies have been implemented in their respective states. Technology is changing at a rapid pace, and judicial systems here in Tennessee and around the U.S. are finding innovative ways to keep up, from positive uses of AI, to civic education, to improved access to justice, data access and more.

A bill that would change how bail is determined is headed to Gov. Bill Lee's desk. If it becomes law, a defendant's ability to pay would no longer be considered when determining what a defendant's bail amount should be. News Channel 5 reports that bill sponsor Rep. John Gillespie, R-Memphis, says this change will improve public safety and make the bail process more efficient. Rep. John Ray Clemmons, D-Nashville, argued in a tweet that the measure is "adverse to equal access to justice" and "one of the most discriminatory bills of 2024."

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has voted 3-2 to ban most noncompete agreements, which currently prevent tens of millions of employees from working for competitors or starting a competing business after they leave a job. The Hill reports that the rule would ban new noncompete agreements for all workers, and require companies to let current and past employees know that they will not enforce them. Companies also will have to throw out existing noncompete agreements for most employees, although in a change from the original proposal, agreements may remain in effect for senior executives.

Make plans now to join colleagues from across the state at the TBA’s 2024 Annual Convention, set for June 12-15, at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis. In addition to CLE and leadership meetings, there are multiple social and networking events on the agenda. On Wednesday evening, a welcome reception is followed by casual dine-around for all attendees. Thursday begins with the Public Service Breakfast and law school breakfasts, and wraps up with a Tennessee Legal Community Reception open to all and joint bench & bar event featuring Memphis-based band "Soul Shockers." All of these events are included with full registration. Register by April 30 to take advantage of Early Bird pricing! Individual tickets will be available for purchase in the next few weeks.

The TBA Young Lawyers Division has a selection of apparel available for purchase! Proudly show that you belong to the Tennessee young lawyers legal community! Click here to order and see photos of the available styles. Orders must be placed by Friday, May 3.

Save the date for the TBA's annual Business Law Forum in Nashville on May 15. This year's program will include two one-hour sessions on the Corporate Transparency Act, as well as an ethics session for business lawyers which offers observations on professional responsibility and ethics using characters, transactions and business dealings from the HBO Max show "Succession." Additional topics and speakers to be announced soon. Click here for more information.

Members of the newly appointed 2024-2025 Young Lawyers Division (YLD) Board met at Montgomery Bell State Park last month for their spring retreat to make plans for next year's programs and projects. President-elect Sean Aiello, who will be sworn in at the TBA Convention in June, provided an overview of the upcoming bar year and introduced his initiatives of increased focus on public service, an expanded membership base in underrepresented areas, and increased partnership with local bars, affiliated organizations and law schools. See photos from the event.

The Johnson City Police Department is the subject of a federal public corruption probe related to its handling of an alleged serial rapist, new filings in an ongoing class action lawsuit indicate. Attorneys representing women, who say police conspired to protect their assailant, have turned over 520 pages of emails and attachments to the “prosecution team for the federal public corruption investigation of the Johnson City Police Department,” the filing said. The Department of Justice has, for months, declined to confirm or deny any investigation, and the existence of a federal criminal probe had not previously been revealed. WJHL-TV reports on the new legal filing.