Because the order from which the appellant has filed an appeal does not constitute a final appealable judgment, this Court lacks jurisdiction to consider this appeal.

In this action, the trial court dismissed the plaintiffs’ claims based on res judicata and failure to prosecute. The plaintiffs have appealed in companion appeals. 1 Upon our review, we vacate the trial court’s dismissal of the plaintiffs’ claims and remand for further proceedings. We deny the plaintiffs’ request for an award of attorney’s fees on appeal.

In this action, the trial court dismissed the plaintiffs’ claims based on res judicata and failure to prosecute. The plaintiffs have appealed in companion appeals. Upon review, we vacate the trial court’s dismissal of the plaintiffs’ claims and remand for further proceedings. We deny the plaintiffs’ request for an award of attorney’s fees on appeal.

In this interlocutory appeal, the employee challenges the trial court’s denial of his motion to compel. The employee alleged he contracted several diseases, including metastatic cancer and toxic encephalopathy, as a result of occupational exposures over the course of his employment with the employer. The employer obtained an opinion from a doctor specializing in oncology and hematology regarding causation who initially determined the employee’s conditions were more likely than not caused by occupational exposures. However, once the employer provided additional information to its expert regarding the employee’s medical history and conditions at the employer’s facility, she revised her causation opinion. After the employer declined to allow the employee to enter its facility to obtain video and photographs of conditions inside the plant, the employee filed a motion to compel. The employer objected to the employee’s request on the grounds of relevance and confidentiality, stating that it could not grant such access to the facility because of its obligations to its customers, including the United States military, and any video and photographs obtained would not be relevant because the employee had not worked at the facility in ten years. The trial court denied the motion to compel, and the employee has appealed. Having carefully reviewed the record, we affirm the trial court’s order and remand the case.

November 24, 2025 - November 28, 2025.

Nashville health officials have installed free naloxone vending machines across the city as overdose deaths continue to decline, The Tennessean reports. Metro Public Health Director Sanmi Areola said the goal is to make the opioid antidote more accessible during a time when the holidays can increase stress for those struggling with addiction. The two-dose Narcan kits, are now available through three vending machines and at public health clinics. Davidson County recorded 99 suspected overdose deaths in the third quarter of 2025, an 18% drop from the same period in 2024, though fentanyl remained a factor in most fatalities. Statewide and national data also show overdose deaths trending downward, a shift officials attribute in part to wider naloxone distribution and increased awareness of addiction resources.

The TBA Young Lawyers Division (YLD) and its Mock Trial Committee have released case materials for the 45th Annual Tennessee High School Mock Trial Competition, which will take place in February and March 2026. Students will present their best arguments in State of Tennessee v. Callahan, a criminal case centered around the murder of a member of an organized crime family. Local competitions will take place in February with the district winners advancing to the state competition, set for March 20-21 in Nashville. This year's competition also will include the Second Annual Artist in the Courtroom Contest. Following the state competition, Tennessee's mock trial winner and first place artist will have the opportunity to represent the state at the National High School Mock Trial Competition in Des Moines, Iowa, May 7-9. Tennessee's 2025 state champion Montgomery Bell Academy took first place in the national championship in Phoenix, Arizona, this summer! Learn more about the 2026 case and thank you to Mock Trial Committee Chair John Jolley, Vice Chair Bridget Pyman and Long Range Planning Coordinator Ashley Tipton for their leadership.

Book publishers and literary groups are challenging Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett’s directive for public libraries to audit children’s collections and report on any books that include gender identity concepts. More than 30 groups have signed a letter expressing “profound concern” about the effort. They also argue that a presidential executive order, which Hargett cites in his directive, should regulate only federal agencies. Hargett has asked libraries that receive state or federal grant funds to make an “age-appropriate” review of books and file final reports by Jan. 19, 2026. He says the review is necessary based on the state's new Dismantling DEI Departments Act, and encourages libraries with questions to contact their county attorney. According to the Tennessee Lookout, some libraries have had to shut down temporarily to conduct the assessment.

The TBA Young Lawyers Division (YLD) has selected members for the 2026 Diversity Leadership Institute (DLI) class. Starting in January, class members will embark on a six-month leadership and networking program designed to develop skills to succeed as law students and attorneys, build relationships among students of diverse backgrounds, and encourage involvement in the TBA and the legal community. Congratulations to Sara Ali-Amghaiab and Carole Rizkallah from Belmont University College of Law; Naimad Delgado, Sierra Dennis, Charleston Pritchett, Cayla Scott and Carlee Sullins from Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law; Ronal Bueso, Marilyn Harrison-Bates and Cecilee Tinajero from Nashville School of Law; Abigail James from University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law; and Dimend Little from UT Winston College of Law. Special thanks to DLI Co-Chairs and Nashville attorneys Morgan Hanna and John Murphy for their work preparing for this new class.

Don't miss the opportunity to lock in savings with the TBA's group health insurance. The deadline to enroll is Friday. The TBA BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee plan is guaranteed issue and has no health questions and no pre-existing condition exclusions. The plan also includes the added benefit of a $15,000 life insurance policy for each employee enrolled. Nashville attorney Sean Lewis says, "The TBA group health insurance is a tremendous asset to my firm. It provides excellent coverage and the application process was not complicated. Thanks, TBA!" Don’t delay, get a quote today! Not part of a group? TBA also offers a dedicated health plan for solo attorneys.