The July 17 in-person Elder Law Forum will include a session on special needs trusts. Expert attorney Karl Warden will lead the discussion, focused on ABLE accounts, pooled, testamentary and first-party trusts. Other topics at the forum include conservatorships, fraud concerns, guardians ad litem and ethics. Learn more and register here.

Tyler Whetstone, an investigative reporter with the Knoxville News Sentinel, will receive the TBA’s 2026 Fourth Estate Award for his reporting bringing greater transparency to Knoxville’s judicial system. Knox News Executive Editor Joel Christopher nominated Whetstone, saying his reporting exposed “how extremist and racist speech by a Knox County prosecutor raised constitutional questions about public employees and free speech, and forced scrutiny of the criminal justice system’s safeguards.” Christopher also explains that the reporting went beyond breaking news to explain how a district attorney’s office oversees those entrusted with enforcing the law.

In announcing the award, TBA President Heidi Barcus said, “Reporting by Tyler Whetstone helped bring to light the district attorney’s decision to fire the lawyer as she balanced the constitutional issues of free speech and the fair administration of justice. The Tennessee Bar Association is pleased to recognize Whetstone for his work educating the public about this case and promoting improvements in our system of justice.” The award will be presented at the annual Lawyers Luncheon, set for June 12 as part of the association’s Annual Convention in Knoxville. Read more about Whetstone’s work.

A piece in the Hamilton County Herald highlights the career of recently retired Hamilton County Chancery Court Clerk and Master Robin Miller. Miller spent 12 years as clerk and master, after becoming the first woman appointed to that role. Before serving the court, her diverse background included a career as a Tennessee Department of Human Services social worker investigating cases of child abuse and neglect, and a two-decade-plus career in private practice. Miller’s time as a social worker was foundational to her legal practice and personal relationships, says former colleague and mentor Sam Elliott. “That previous experience lent her a maturity that honed her already instinctive insight into people.” Miller is succeeded by Rachael Kapperman, a staff attorney for the clerk and master’s office who has worked closely with Miller since 2016.

The Tennessee Supreme Court issued an order on May 18 to amend Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 34(2)(C). The change adds a new category of information that will be treated as confidential and will not be open for inspection by the public. This includes information regarding threats to the personal safety of a judge, judicial staff or court system employee and his or her family; court security audits and enhancements; and any written or electronic records, notes, memoranda, reports or other documents created or received by a judge, judicial staff or court system employee, the Administrative Office of the Courts or any office staff or member of a board or commission created by the court unless intentionally disclosed as required by law. The amendment took effect immediately on filing of the order.

This appeal requires us to determine whether the Tennessee Public Participation Act mandates dismissal of Appellants/Builders’ slander claim and whether the trial court properly awarded attorney’s fees. After Appellants filed a construction lien against Appellees/Homeowners’ property, Appellees filed a complaint against Appellants with the Tennessee Board of Licensing Contractors, wherein they asserted that Appellants did not have a valid Tennessee contractor’s license. After Appellees filed the instant lawsuit, Appellants filed a counter-complaint, asserting, as relevant here, a claim for defamation based on allegedly false statements made to the Board regarding Appellants’ licensure. Appellees filed a motion to dismiss Appellants’ slander claim. Appellees’ motion, which was predicated on the dismissal provision contained in the Tennessee Public Participation Act, asserted that Appellants’ defamation claim was filed in response to Appellees’ exercise of their constitutional right to free speech on a matter of public concern. The trial court granted Appellees’ motion for partial dismissal and awarded attorney’s fees. Appellants appeal. Discerning no error, we affirm.

The Defendants, Evelyn D. Kennedy1 and Christoper L. Kennedy, bring this consolidated appeal from their convictions for first degree felony murder and aggravated neglect of an elderly or vulnerable adult resulting in serious bodily injury, a Class B felony. See T.C.A. §§ 39-13-202(a)(2) (2018) (subsequently amended) (felony murder), 39-15-508 (2025) (aggravated neglect of an elderly or vulnerable adult resulting in serious bodily injury). The trial court sentenced both Defendants to concurrent terms of life for their felony murder convictions and twelve years for their aggravated neglect convictions. On appeal, the Defendants contend that: (1) their convictions violate the ex post facto protections of the State and federal constitutions and (2) the trial court abused its discretion in admitting graphic autopsy photographs. We affirm the judgments of the trial court.

The Defendant, Victor Gordon, appeals from his convictions for rape of a child and aggravated sexual battery. Specifically, he argues the evidence was insufficient to support his conviction for rape of a child because the State failed to present evidence of sexual penetration. He further contends that he is entitled to plain error relief as to both convictions on the basis that the trial court failed to make the required statutory findings for the admission of the victims’ forensic interviews pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated section 24-7-123. After review, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.

To resolve Employee’s workers’ compensation claim, Employee and Employer entered into a “doubtful and disputed” settlement agreement under the Tennessee Workers’ Compensation Law, Tennessee Code Annotated section 50-6-240(e). Employee then brought a tort action against Employer in relation to the same injuries. Employee moved for partial summary judgment that the exclusive remedy provision did not bar her tort claim, relying on the agreement’s silence as to the issue of compensability. The trial court granted the motion, finding the injuries to not be compensable, such that Employee was not limited to workers’ compensation remedies. Because such settlements are clearly provided for by statute, we conclude that the parties’ agreement amounts to a workers’ compensation remedy. Thus, we determine that Employee’s tort action is barred by the exclusive remedy provision and the trial court’s judgment must be reversed.

May 11, 2026 - May 15, 2026.

State legislators sent Gov. Bill Lee two prison reform measures aimed at increasing transparency and accountability in Tennessee correctional facilities, the Nashville Scene reports. HB2531/SB2111, which is awaiting the governor's signature, would create a statewide family advisory board made up of relatives of currently and formerly incarcerated individuals to improve communication with the Tennessee Department of Correction, support family reunification and provide feedback to lawmakers on prison conditions and operations. A second measure, HB1718/SB1820, was signed into law by the governor. It establishes a one-year body camera pilot program at Trousdale Turner Correctional Center, a CoreCivic-operated private prison that has faced reports of violence and is under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice. Supporters of the bills say they are intended to improve safety, transparency and accountability within Tennessee prisons.