This is an appeal from the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board which reversed the judgment of the Court of Workers' Compensation Claims and found that an employee may not seek permanent total disability benefits after a court-approved settlement for permanent partial disability benefits. This appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel pursuant to Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 51. We affirm.

At issue in this interlocutory appeal is the scope of discovery in a workers’ compensation case. The employee alleged she suffered severe injuries after being exposed to carbon monoxide at work. The employer accepted the compensability of the accident and paid certain temporary disability and medical benefits, but it reserved the right to later assert defenses to the claim. The employee forwarded written discovery requests to the employer then, after receiving the employer’s responses, asserted that the employer failed or refused to provide relevant information in response to those requests. The employer objected that certain of the employee’s requests sought information irrelevant to the workers’ compensation claim, were not reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence, or that the information sought included trade secrets, proprietary information, or sensitive material that should be subject to a protective order. Following the filing of multiple motions to compel, a motion for sanctions, and multiple motions for a protective order, the trial court conducted a hearing, after which it: (1) denied the employer’s motion for a protective order; (2) granted the employee’s motion to compel discovery; and (3) held the employee’s motion for sanctions and a referral to the Bureau’s compliance unit in abeyance. The employer has appealed. We affirm the trial court’s order, find the employer’s appeal frivolous, and remand the case.

The Tennessee Supreme Court on Feb. 25 suspended 15 attorneys for failure to pay the annual registration fee, eight of whom also failed to file proof that client funds are held in an IOLTA-compliant account. View the fee suspension order and IOLTA suspension order. Lawyers reinstated in the last month include six in 2026, two in 2025 and one in 2024. Access all administrative suspensions dating back to 2005.

Memphis attorney and TBA YLD President-elect Jennifer Sneed-Perry has announced the members of the 2026-2027 YLD Board who will take office at the TBA Convention in June. Joining her in leadership will be President-elect Darius Walker Jr., Vice President Zack Walden, Secretary Patrick Morrison, Treasurer Ashley Tipton, East Tennessee Governor Samantha Ellis, Middle Tennessee Governor Alix Rogers, West Tennessee Governor Faith Watson, Immediate Past President Alex McVeagh, and Past Presidents Sean Aiello and Billy Leslie. Sneed-Perry also announced those who will serve as district representatives and committee chairs. See the full list of members. During her year in office, Sneed-Perry plans to focus on educating attorneys on estate planning through continuing education and pro bono clinics across the state. She will expand the YLD's commitment to serving law students by appointing six law student liaisons to the YLD Board. Finally, she announced three vacancies that still need to be filled. Those interested in being considered as the district representative for the 2nd, 10th or 12th district should email a statement of interest and a resume to Laura Labenberg by April 1. Learn more about the openings.

TBA’s Legislative Updates podcast is new this week with attorneys and TBA lobbyists Berkley Schwarz of Pier Strategies LLC and Brad Lampley and Ashley Harbin of Adams & Reese. This week's episode covers adoption bill SB2165/HB2350, probate bill SB2184/HB2451 and family law bill SB2324/HB2429. Tune in to the podcast on the TBA website or through this link. Attorneys may also support the TBA’s lobbying efforts by contributing to LAWPAC.

The Tennessee Supreme Court on Feb. 27 suspended Davidson County lawyer Michael Lloyd Freeman from the practice of law for six years with four years to be served on active suspension and the remaining two years to be served on probation. Additionally, Freeman must obtain an evaluation by the Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program (TLAP), pay restitution and  engage a practice monitor. A hearing panel found that during the representation of multiple clients, Freeman acted outside the scope of representation, acted in a way that was prejudicial to the administration of justice, and failed to protect client funds, communicate with clients, and act competently and diligently. These actions were found to violate Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1, 1.15, 1.16, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 3.2, 3.4 and 8.4.

Memphis-based FedEx has filed a lawsuit seeking refunds of fees it paid under the Trump administration's emergency tariffs. The move comes after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the administration exceeded its authority in imposing the tariffs. That decision opens the door to potential refunds on more than $175 billion in tariff collections, prompting expectations of widespread litigation from companies seeking repayment. FedEx is pursuing a full refund of the duties it paid, though the lower courts must still determine how the recovery process will be implemented. Experts say consumers are unlikely to qualify without detailed documentation. Reuters has the story.

Gov. Bill Lee on Wednesday announced the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (DCS) will join the Trump administration’s “A Home for Every Child” initiative, a national effort led by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families (ACF) to expand the number of foster families and improve outcomes for children. DCS will partner with ACF and the Children’s Bureau to support improvement work connected to the federal Child and Family Services Review (CFSR) process. Tennessee’s participation will focus on outcomes-driven goals to expand the number of licensed foster homes, retain current foster families, support kinship caregivers, strengthen prevention services, and improve visibility into capacity and outcomes through more timely data and reporting. Read more in a press release.

The Tennessee Senate passed SB1731 — sponsored by Sen. John Stevens, R-Huntingdon — on Feb. 23 by a vote of 26-6. The House Judiciary Committee is set to consider its version of the bill — HB1791 sponsored by Rep. Jason Zachary, R-Knoxville — on March 4. The legislation would authorize the attorney general to make immediate appeals of initial trial court rulings in certain cases brought against the state. These include rulings (1) granting, continuing or modifying injunctions against the state; (2) denying sovereign or qualified immunity for state officials; and (3) denying motions to dismiss in cases challenging the constitutionality of state laws, executive orders or administrative rules. Normally, the state would have to wait for a final judgment from the trial court before appealing. Supporters of the bills argue that waiting for a final judgment can drag cases out for years. Opponents warn it gives the state an unfair advantage. The Nashville Post has more on the bill.

The number of judges in U.S. immigration courts has dropped by about a quarter in the last year due to firings and resignations — even when accounting for new hires, according to NPR. Twelve immigration courts have lost over half of their judges while two courts have no judges at all. Former judges and staff say the system’s ability to provide timely, fair hearings has been strained, while the U.S. Department of Justice maintains the changes are intended to improve efficiency and enforce immigration laws. New hiring efforts have focused on bringing in judges with law-enforcement or military backgrounds as the remaining courts face mounting backlogs.