Tennessee Attorney General (AG) Jonathan Skrmetti is leading a coalition of state attorneys general in opposing a new university participant agreement issued by the College Sports Commission (CSC), according to a press release from his office. The group argues that the terms of the agreement would harm student-athletes, eliminate institutional transparency and impose severe penalties on schools. In a letter to the CSC and the four athletic conferences, Skrmetti and seven other states’ chief legal officers warn that the agreement would allow the CSC to strip conference revenue, impose postseason bans and force universities into mandatory arbitration and sweeping gag orders. The letter also argues the agreement’s enforcement system is arbitrary and suggests it may be intended to bolster support for the controversial SCORE Act in Congress. The group urged the CSC to withdraw the proposal and work with member schools to craft a lawful framework that protects student-athletes and ensures transparency and accountability.

U.S. District Judge Eli Richardson recently dismissed a lawsuit from death row inmate Harold Wayne Nichols, who had sought to challenge Tennessee’s new lethal injection protocol. The Tennessean reports that Richardson ruled that the statute of limitations barred Nichols from bringing suit. Richardson also found that other execution methods would not be less painful, feasible or readily implemented than lethal injection by pentobarbital. Nichols’ attorney, Stephen Ferrell, said he was disappointed Richardson did not hold a hearing before dismissing the case. He has filed an appeal of the decision. Nichols is schedule to die on Dec. 11.

The state of Tennessee officially has asked an appeals court to overturn a lower court ruling that Gov. Bill Lee improperly sent the Tennessee National Guard to Memphis, The Daily Memphian reports. According to the paper, the state filed its application for an interlocutory appeal with the Tennessee Court of Appeals, arguing that Davidson County Chancellor Patricia Head Moskal was wrong when she ruled that Lee had acted outside his authority and issued an injunction. The injunction currently is stayed as the case works its way through the appeals process, leaving the guard to continue its mission in the city. Last month, the state requested permission to appeal Moskal's ruling. The state maintains that addressing crime is one of the allowable reasons for deploying the guard under Tennessee law.

The TBA is offering an on-demand virtual 12-hour package as part of its Year End CLE event. The bundle includes a mix of sessions focused on ethics, AI, law practice management, professional skills, wellness, legislative updates, public speaking for attorneys, tech trends and law office accounting. Check out the specific courses included in the package on the TBA website. Looking for something else? TBA also has six, eight, 10 and 15-hour packages, packages based on specific topics or practice areas, live webcasts and on-demand video all month long. Explore all the options to complete your CLE requirement by Dec. 31.

Veteran Tennessee litigators and former TBA Presidents Marcy Eason of Chattanooga and Al Harvey of Memphis will join Russell Fowler for a Dec. 17 webcast on litigation practice, offering lessons learned in the courtroom and discussing strategies for effective civil litigation. The program will highlight how professionalism, civility and ethical conduct are essential to succeeding in the legal profession. For more information and to register visit the TBA website.

The TBA’s Young Lawyers Division (YLD), in partnership with the General, Solo & Small Firm Section, will host a live Rookie Series webcast on Jan. 29, 2026, at noon CST focused on opening a solo or small law firm. The program is designed for new attorneys and those transitioning from established practices, offering guidance on launching a legal practice, avoiding common pitfalls and navigating essential steps in starting a firm. Speakers also will outline TBA resources available to support lawyers taking this entrepreneurial path. Learn more and register on the TBA website.

Vermont lawyer Andrew David Watts was reinstated to the practice of law in Tennessee on Dec. 2. He had been placed on inactive status more than five years ago, on Dec. 16, 2019. Watts filed a petition for reinstatement, which the Board of Professional Responsibility found to be satisfactory.

Georgia lawyer Michael Victor Coleman was reinstated to the practice of law in Tennessee on Nov. 25. He had been placed on inactive status more than five years ago, on Sept. 12, 2012. Coleman filed a petition for reinstatement, which the Board of Professional Responsibility found to be satisfactory.

The Tennessee Supreme on Dec. 2 adopted amendments to Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 4(D). A new section, 4(d)(2), provides that if an application for permission to appeal is filed and denied, the opinion of the intermediate appellate court may be published in the official reporter at the direction of the Supreme Court. Read the court’s order.

The American Bar Association (ABA) Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility has issued Formal Opinion 519 to provide guidance on disclosure and confidentiality rules when a lawyer moves to withdraw from representation. The opinion states that a lawyer’s motion to withdraw is subject to the broad duty of confidentiality, and unless an explicit exception applies or the client provides informed consent, the lawyer may not reveal “information relating to the representation” in the motion. The opinion also addresses how a lawyer should respond if a judge seeks more information and the duty of confidentiality if the motion is denied. Read more in a news release from the association.