The judges of the Davidson County General Sessions Court announced that they have directed Justice A.A. Birch Courthouse security to heighten security measures following remarks by Congressman Andy Ogles that "appeared intended to incite violence against elected officials in Davidson County." In a joint statement, the judges said, "We stand united in condemning any language or actions that target judges — or any elected officials — with threats of violence as a means of expressing political disagreement. In light of the numerous acts of political violence witnessed in recent years, the statements made by Mr. Ogles are unacceptable." Read the full statement. The judges also sent a formal request to Gov. Bill Lee requesting that the state take "immediate steps to ensure the safety and security of the public in and around" the courthouse.

Former Memphis Police Office Patric J. Ferguson pleaded guilty in August to civil rights, firearms, kidnapping and obstruction charges connected with the fatal shooting of 30-year-old Robert Howard. Ferguson was sentenced last week to 38 years in prison. The Tennessee Lookout reports that in 2021, Ferguson used a police database to search for Howard, who at the time was in a relationship with a woman who previously dated Ferguson. Ferguson was charged with kidnapping Howard, killing him in the back of his patrol car and dumping the body in the Wolf River.

Montgomery County Commissioner Michael Lankford on Dec. 8 was chosen to serve as the interim state House District 75 representative by the Montgomery County Commission. The Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle reports that the commission voted for Lankford to complete the term of the late Rep. Jeff Burkhart, R-Clarksville, following Burkhart's unexpected death on Nov. 14. "I appreciate the confidence that the commission has in me, and I look forward to working with this body in the future at the state capitol," Lankford said, addressing the commission after the meeting. Six candidates submitted resumes and letters of interest to the commission for consideration for the seat.

A Shelby County jury convicted the Defendant, Darrell Peterson, of one count of first degree premeditated murder, two counts of attempted first degree murder, and two counts of employing a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony. The trial court imposed a life sentence plus twenty-five years. On appeal, the Defendant contends that the evidence is insufficient to support his convictions, and the trial court improperly ordered consecutive sentencing. After review, we affirm the trial court’s judgments.

In 2022, the Petitioner, Keshon Ford, pleaded guilty to attempted second degree murder in exchange for a sentence of ten years of incarceration. Thereafter, the Petitioner filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus, alleging that his plea was not entered voluntarily. The habeas court entered an order dismissing the petition. On appeal, the Petitioner claims that the habeas corpus court erred when it denied his request for appointment of counsel and when it summarily dismissed his petition. We affirm the habeas corpus court’s judgment.

Car dealership and customer signed a purchase agreement containing a provision that the contract would become void if the dealership was unable to “assign this contract (get a credit approval)” within a certain time period. A financing company conditionally approved the customer’s credit application within the relevant period but later revoked its approval and never provided any funding. The customer returned the vehicle, made no payments toward its purchase, and sued the dealership for breach of contract and violation of the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act. The jury found in favor of the customer, and the trial court awarded treble damages. Following the denial of its motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict or for new trial, the dealership appeals. We affirm and award the customer her reasonable appellate attorney’s fees.

This appeal arises from a lawsuit filed by a mother, individually and on behalf of her daughter, against the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County and the State of Tennessee after her daughter sustained paralyzing injuries while attending a public school. After a four-day bench trial, the trial court found that both defendants were negligent and that each was fifty percent at fault for the child’s injuries. The trial court found that the plaintiffs should be awarded total compensatory damages of $10,902,348.02, but it reduced the judgment to $600,000 ($300,000 against each defendant) in accordance with the applicable statutory caps. Metro has appealed, while the State has not. For the following reasons, we affirm the decision of the circuit court.

The number of lawyers in the United States increased significantly this year for the first time since 2020, rising from 1.35 million in 2024 to 1.37 million this year, according to the American Bar Association (ABA) 2025 Profile of the Legal Profession. The profile is based on findings from the National Lawyer Population Survey (NLPS) published by the ABA’s Center for Bar Leadership. In total, the number of resident active lawyers in the U.S. has grown by 73,363 over the last 10 years, an increase of 5.6%, according to the survey. The ABA has collected data on the number of U.S. lawyers since 1878. Over the last 147 years, overall growth has been consistently positive, with short bursts of rapid expansion. Read more about the NLPS and download the full report.

This case focuses on the termination of parental rights of Violet B. (“Mother”) and Coy B. (“Father”) to their Child, Madison B. The Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (“DCS”) sought termination of Mother’s and Father’s parental rights to Madison and Madison’s older sister, Kaylee B., in two separate petitions filed in the Sevier County Juvenile Court (“trial court”).1 The trial court conducted a joint hearing on both petitions and entered two separate orders terminating Mother’s and Father’s parental rights to each child.2 The trial court entered an order terminating Mother’s and Father’s parental rights to Madison after finding that clear and convincing evidence supported termination based upon the ground of mental incompetence. The trial court further determined by clear and convincing evidence that termination was in Madison’s best interest. Father has appealed. Discerning no reversible error, we affirm.

This case focuses on the termination of parental rights of Violet B. (“Mother”) and Coy B. (“Father”) to their Child, Kaylee B. Mother gave birth to Kaylee in June 2022, and the parents had a second child, Madison B., in December 2023. 1 The Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (“DCS”) sought termination of Mother’s and Father’s parental rights to each child in two separate petitions filed in the Sevier County Juvenile Court (“trial court”).2 The trial court conducted a joint hearing on both petitions and entered two separate orders terminating Mother’s and Father’s parental rights to each child. The trial court entered an order terminating Mother’s and Father’s parental rights to Kaylee based upon two statutory grounds. The trial court further determined by clear and convincing evidence that termination of Mother’s and Father’s parental rights was in Kaylee’s best interest. Father has appealed. Discerning no reversible error, we affirm.