The final list of candidates for the U.S. House race was released for the state’s newly redrawn congressional districts ahead of the August primary election, Action News 5 reports. That list does not include longtime U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Memphis, who announced last week that he would not seek reelection. The updated map, passed during a special legislative session, divides Memphis into three congressional districts. District 5, which now stretches from northwest Shelby County up to the Kentucky state line and east to Williamson County, includes incumbent Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Spring Hill, activist DeVante Hill and Memphis City Councilwoman Yolanda Cooper Sutton among nine candidates. District 8 features 11 candidates, including incumbent Rep. David Kustoff, R-Germantown, and former Shelby County mayoral candidate Heidi Kuhn. District 9 includes candidates such as current Sen. Brent Taylor, R-Eads; Rep. Justin J. Pearson, D-Memphis; and Sen. London Lamar, D-Memphis, competing for the open seat.

On Monday, Metro Nashville filed a public nuisance lawsuit against Publix in federal court, alleging the grocery store’s pharmacy contributed to local and national opioid crises by failing to monitor suspicious orders of oxycodone and other painkillers. According to the Nashville Banner newsletter, the complaint also alleges that Publix failed to “implement adequate policies and provide tools to its pharmacists to conduct due diligence prior to dispensing opioids,” all while allegedly deceiving public officials in Nashville. The complaint mentions that Tennessee has the third-highest amount of opioid prescriptions, and that Nashville “is at the center of a rising opioid epidemic in the United States.” In 2025, Publix settled a similar lawsuit in federal court.

Vanderbilt Law School recognized 20 members of the Class of 2026 with academic, leadership, journal and citizenship awards during commencement ceremonies. Recipients represented students from across the country and internationally. Read the full list of award recipients on the Vanderbilt Law School website.

Gov. Bill Lee will not stop the execution of Memphis death row inmate Tony Carruthers, he said in a brief statement, the Commercial Appeal reports. Carruthers is scheduled to be executed May 21. “After deliberate consideration of Tony Von Carruthers’ request for clemency and after a thorough review of the case, I am upholding the sentence of the state of Tennessee and do not plan to intervene,” Lee said in the statement. Carruthers is represented by the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee, which has repeatedly sought DNA and fingerprint testing.

The Knox County Commission on Monday approved the appointment of seven people to the East Tennessee Regional Juvenile Service Center Advisory Board, WBIR reports. The new board includes two private citizens, a health department representative, an expert in juvenile mental health, a juvenile social services expert, a juvenile legal system expert and County Commissioner Shane Jackson. The board was created about 10 months ago in response to a whistleblower investigation alleging medication mismanagement and poor leadership at the juvenile detention center. The new board is expected to meet in July. The commission voted in favor of all candidates, with one member abstaining and another not in attendance.

The TBA will host the “Using AI to Accelerate Your Writing” webcast on June 24 from noon to 1 p.m. CDT, focusing on how attorneys can use artificial intelligence to improve efficiency in legal writing without sacrificing accuracy or professional judgment. Presenter Ryan Standil of Write To Excite will discuss effective prompting techniques and demonstrate how AI can help lawyers identify weaknesses in drafts, including faulty logic, ambiguity, inconsistency and tone issues. The program will also address the limitations of AI in legal communication, including verbosity, overreach and lack of human nuance, while offering strategies for using AI tools more effectively in practice. More information and registration are available on the TBA website.

Brentwood attorney Cynthia Elaine Kinser died May 13. She earned her law degree from Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, Florida, and worked for the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office. Her work focused on consumer protection, including arguing a case before the U.S. Supreme Court, along with numerous other appearances on behalf of Tennessee consumers in various courts. Services will include a private burial for family and close friends at Watkins Cemetery in Loudon, followed by a celebration of life at her home May 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. CDT. Donations may be made in her memory to Gilda’s Club Middle Tennessee.

This year’s TBA LGBT Forum will take place in person on June 26 at the new Tennessee Bar Association office. Kicking off Pride weekend, the program will offer one dual and two general hours of CLE. Topics include conversion therapy, Chiles v. Salazar, constitutional rights and more. Nashville Metro Council Member at-Large Olivia Hill will also join to discuss her campaign to become the city's first trans council member.

The first 10 registrants will receive a reserved seat on Nashville’s Big Drag Bus for a two-hour tour of the city with LGBT Section leadership and some of the city’s top drag performers! Learn more and register here.

Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti recently announced the appointment of Madeline Clark as solicitor general for the state of Tennessee, effective June 8. Clark succeeds Matt Rice, who will leave the office in June to join Kirkland & Ellis. Clark joined the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office in 2025 as principal deputy solicitor general. Prior to joining the office, she worked as an associate at Jones Day. Her credentials include judicial clerkships for U.S. Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas and Amy Coney Barrett. As solicitor general, Clark will oversee the office’s appellate litigation. “I look forward to building on the outstanding legacy of the Tennessee Solicitor General’s Office,” Clark said in a press release.

There is still time for register for TBA’s 2026 Annual Convention, set for June 10-13, at the Crowne Plaza Downtown Knoxville. The convention will feature compelling CLE programs and leadership meetings, multiple social and networking events, and will provide opportunities to connect with colleagues. The convention gets underway Wednesday and will kick off with a welcome reception that evening. Thursday will begin with the Public Service Breakfast and University of Tennessee Winston College of Law Breakfast, continue with interactive Lunch & Learn sessions, and wrap up with a reception at the Knoxville Smokies minor league baseball stadium. Friday brings the annual Lawyers Luncheon, which will include a look back at TBA President Heidi Barcus’ year in office and the swearing in of new president Charlotte Knight Griffin. See the full schedule. All events are included with full convention registration.