This is a dispute over the use of real property in a subdivision. Certain property owners filed this lawsuit seeking to enjoin other property owners in the subdivision from using or allowing the use of their properties as short-term rentals. The defendants moved to dismiss the plaintiffs’ second amended complaint based on interpretation of the restrictive covenants applicable to their properties. The trial court dismissed all causes of action. We affirm in part, and reverse in part.

Cocke County lawyer Charlotte Ann Leibrock was temporarily suspended from the practice of law on Dec. 16 after the Tennessee Supreme Court found she posed a threat of substantial harm to the public. Leibrock immediately is precluded from accepting any new cases, and must cease representing existing clients by Jan. 16, 2026. The suspension will remain in effect until dissolution or modification by the court.

The trial court denied a petition to terminate a mother’s parental rights to two minor children on the grounds of abandonment by failure to support and failure to visit, as well as failure to manifest an ability and willingness to assume custody or financial responsibility for the children. We affirm the trial court’s ruling that the petitioners proved no statutory ground for termination by clear and convincing evidence. Because the petitioners proved no grounds for termination, we need not address the children’s best interests. We affirm the trial court’s ruling and remand for further proceedings.

This is an appeal from a final order entered on July 9, 2025. The notice of appeal was not filed with the Appellate Court Clerk until August 11, 2025, more than thirty days from the date of entry of the order from which the appellant is seeking to appeal. Because the notice of appeal was not timely filed, we have no jurisdiction to consider this appeal.

U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis in Maryland has ordered U.S. immigration officials not to re-detain Kilmar Abrego Garcia after his release from immigration detention until the court holds a hearing on a motion for a temporary restraining order, WSMV reports. Abrego Garcia appeared Dec. 12 for a scheduled appointment at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office after being released. To try to protect their client, Abrego Garcia's lawyers asked Xinis to block authorities from detaining him again.

The Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands (LAS) announced it has been awarded a $209,056 Technology Initiative Grant from the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) to help fund improvements to its legal helpline intake system. The technology program distributes annual grants to legal services providers across the United States. This year, LSC is awarding 32 grants totaling $4.2 million for projects that use technology to improve legal services for low-income Americans and increase access to high-quality legal assistance, the judicial system and legal information. LAS will use the grant to integrate artificial intelligence agents into its intake system. The upgraded system will be scalable, secure and offer multilingual intake capabilities, according to the group. By automating processes and improving data accuracy, the technology hopefully will shorten wait times and expand access to legal help.

Tennessee lawmakers are reviewing proposed changes to enhanced handgun permit training that would prohibit use of live firearms and ammunition during classroom instruction, limiting their use only to the shooting range portion of courses, Fox 17 reports. The Tennessee Department of Safety said the rule aims to improve safety and reduce liability following a classroom shooting incident. The proposal would require instructors to hold the same enhanced permit they teach and restrict the sharing of students’ personal information. Firearms instructors have raised concerns that the ban could hinder effective instruction and increase theft risks if guns are left in vehicles. After discussion in the Government Operations Committee, lawmakers approved a 30-day stay on the rule, giving the department time to work with instructors and clarify concerns before further review.

The 38th Annual TBA Health Law Forum will take place Nov. 12-13, 2026, at the Music City Center in Nashville. The event remains one of the premier health law programs in the country, bringing together lawyers, providers and regulators to discuss hot topics and intangibles for the practice area. Health Law Section members receive a discounted rate to attend. Not a section member yet? Join here. More information about the forum coming soon.

The U.S. Senate confirmed four Trump nominees to the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) board last week. Senators voted 53-47 to confirm Knoxville attorney Jeff Hagood, Memphis hospital CEO Mitch Graves, Florida chemical engineer Arthur Graham and Alabama insurance agency owner Randall Jones, according to Knox News. The moves gives the board a quorum for the first time since April. President Donald Trump also had nominated Nashville businessman Lee Beaman to serve on the board, but that nomination stalled in committee.

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti has sued online gaming platform Roblox, alleging the company violated the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act by misleading consumers about safety risks to children on its platform. The lawsuit claims Roblox has for years deceived Tennesseans about serious dangers to minors, prioritizing profits over child safety. “Roblox is the digital equivalent of a creepy cargo van lingering at the edge of a playground,” Skrmetti said in a news release. The attorney general’s office is working with the Nashville-based law firm Stranch, Jennings & Garvey PLLC, including founding and managing member J. Gerard Stranch IV, to prosecute the case on behalf of the state.