Nashville attorney and former Metro Nashville Public Defender (PD) Dawn Deaner has announced her candidacy for Division III Criminal Court judge. Deaner, who has nearly 30 years of experience in Nashville’s criminal courts, said she is running to bring “experience, perspective, and humanity” to the bench. She served as public defender from 2008 to 2018, where she led reforms such as implementing workload controls, launching a Court Watch program and advancing pretrial release efforts. Prior to that role, she worked for more than a decade as an assistant public defender. Deaner also founded the Choosing Justice Initiative, a nonprofit focused on expanding access to justice, and has been involved in efforts such as the Nashville Community Bail Fund and the Steering Clear Driver’s License Diversion Program. Read more in a press release.

Chief U.S. District Judge Sheryl Lipman of the Western District of Tennessee ruled last week that she will not split the civil case stemming from Tyré Nichols’ death into two trials, the Commercial Appeal reports. Lipman said separating the claims could prejudice the City of Memphis because ongoing stays in related criminal cases have limited discovery involving the individual officers. Attorneys for Nichols’ mother, RowVaughn Wells, had sought to bifurcate the case in an effort to speed it to trial, arguing it could otherwise be delayed until 2028 or 2029 due to stays on the criminally charged officers. City attorneys opposed the request, saying it would hinder their ability to defend against liability claims. Lipman denied the motion but granted a request from Wells’ attorneys to hold a status conference within a week of the ruling, which was set for today.

The TBA Animal Law Forum 2026 will take place Oct. 9 at the Nashville Zoo. This annual favorite provides updates on trends and advancements in animal law and related practice areas. Participants can meet with other animal lovers and enjoy the fun the zoo offers. Zoo admission, breakfast, lunch and an animal meet and greet are included with the program. Topics and more information coming soon. Do not miss this event, you never know who is going to show up! Register now.

Thank you for your continued support of the Entertainment & Sports Law Section. It has been a busy year, led by Section Chair Anthony Adewumi. The section's annual forum will be held in the fall this year, so keep an eye out for information to be announced over the summer. You will not want to miss this yearly favorite, especially since section members receive a discount on all section-sponsored CLE!

In the meantime, you do not have to wait to connect with colleagues. The section directory is a great resource for meeting other entertainment attorneys or for referrals. We hope to see you at the annual forum, and if you have thoughts or ideas about future section initiatives, please do not hesitate to reach out to TBA staff coordinator Jamie Rhode.

On March 30, Vanderbilt Law School will host its third annual Vanderbilt Music Law Summit. This year’s summit will bring together a stellar lineup of experts from industry, academia, government and more to discuss the legal music landscape. The keynote interview features Mitch Glazier, chair and CEO of the Recording Industry Association of America, who will interview Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office John Squires. The full schedule and registration information is available on the law school's website.

The TBA Litigation Section will continue its "Perspectives from the Bench" series with Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Jeffrey Bivins and Nashville School of Law Dean Bill Koch at the new TBA office on May 21. Moderated by attorneys Todd Presnell and Hunter Branstetter, the panel will discuss each justice's path to the bench, the importance of mentors, the manner in which the justices interact, the importance of the Rule of Law in our society and more. Make plans now to attend and join your colleagues for a reception following the event. Get more information and register here.

Thank you for your support of the Tort & Insurance Practice Section! It’s been a busy year, led by section chair Jamie Leaver. The section is looking for attorneys interested in taking on a leadership position and joining the section executive council. The council members have monthly meetings, discuss relevant legislation and work together to plan continuing legal education programming throughout the bar year. Plus, there is always an opportunity for the section to do more, and we would love to hear your ideas! If you are interested in being considered or would like to recommend someone, please contact TBA Section Coordinator Brooke Leeton at bleeton@tnbar.org by June 15.

The TBA Young Lawyers Division, in collaboration with the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys Law School, recently held Pre-Law Day for high school students. The event included a law school tour, mock law school class, a panel with law students and a career exploration panel featuring TBA YLD Past President Quinton Thompson and former YLD board members Jeffrey Moore Jr. and Laquita Stokes. Assistant Dean for Recruitment & Student Success Jacqueline O'Bryant also provided the students with a roadmap to college admissions. See a photo from the event.

Agathos Classical School of Columbia was named the 2026 Tennessee State High School Mock Trial champion after two days of preliminary rounds. The school prevailed over the University School of Nashville. Tennessee State Supreme Court Justice Sarah Campbell presided over the round, while members of the TBA Young Lawyers Division's (YLD) Executive Committee, TBA President Heidi Barcus and TBA President-elect Charlotte Knight Griffin served as jurors. Earlier in the day, the top eight teams were announced, an MVP for each of the 16 teams was recognized, individual awards were presented to the best advocates and witnesses, and Unicoi County High School of Erwin was awarded the 2026 Sportsmanship Award. The top three artists in the inaugural Artist in the Courtroom Contest also were recognized. James Overstreet of Houston High School in Germantown was selected as the top artist.

Special thanks to YLD Mock Trial Committee Chair John Jolley, Vice Chair Bridget Pyman, Long Range Planning Coordinator Ashley Tipton and members of the committee for organizing this year's event, which involved 16 teams, more than 200 participants and more than 100 volunteers, including sitting Tennessee judges, lawyers and the YLD's Diversity Leadership Institute's law students. Agathos Classical School will represent Tennessee at the National High School Mock Trial Competition in Des Moines, Iowa in May. The team is coached by Columbia attorneys Jason Whatley and Cory Ricci of Whatley & Associates and Luke Worsham. See photos from this event.

Individuals interested in learning more about mock trial are encouraged to view the new TBA YLD Mock Trial 101 video available on the TBA website.

BLOOMEKATZ, Circuit Judge. A grand jury indicted Bo Hostettler for possessing a gun as a felon, in violation of a federal statute. See 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1). Hostettler moved to dismiss the indictment, arguing that the statute was unconstitutional both facially and as applied. The district court granted Hostettler’s motion on the grounds that the federal statute was unconstitutional as applied to him. Since then, intervening circuit precedent has clarified the legal standard that governs constitutional challenges to firearm regulations. Accordingly, we vacate and remand with instructions to apply the legal standard consistent with current circuit precedent when considering Hostettler’s motion to dismiss.