Rep. Jeff Burkhart, R-Clarksville, has died at age 63, WKRN reports. He graduated from Vol State Community College and was a small business owner and a member of the Church of Christ. Burkhart has been a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives for four years. In a statement, the House Republican Caucus said its members are "deeply saddened by the passing of our dear colleague ... He served with dedication, humility and a genuine love for the people of Montgomery County and the great state of Tennessee." Tributes from both parties highlighted Burkhart's work on infrastructure, education, public safety and support for first responders, as well as his kindness and steady leadership. Local agencies, including Clarksville Fire Rescue and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, also honored Burkhart’s decades of service, noting his lasting impact on Montgomery County and the state capitol. Information about services will be released at a later date.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant has appointed four assistant United States attorneys (AUSAs) for management and supervisory roles in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee. Beth C. Boswell, a longtime career prosecutor who joined the office in 2014, was named first AUSA. Patrick Neal Oldham, a former Shelby County prosecutor who joined the office in 2018, will serve as criminal chief. Gregory D. Allen, an Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force prosecutor and former criminal defense attorney, was appointed deputy chief of the Homeland Security Task Force. Naya Bedini, an appellate attorney who has written more than 120 briefs and argued before the 6th Circuit, was named appellate chief. Dunavant said in a press release, “All four of these AUSAs are career prosecutors with unquestioned reputations for effective prosecution and sound legal and ethical judgment. I have full faith and confidence in all of them to help me effectively lead the U.S. Attorney’s Office in West Tennessee, and I am proud to appoint them to these important positions.”

Hulu’s new Ryan Murphy drama "All’s Fair" is drawing harsh reviews, but real-life female divorce attorneys say the series, led by Kim Kardashian and Naomi Watts, gets surprising pieces of their profession right, Yahoo reports. While the show leans heavily into camp and luxury — from private jets and designer wardrobes to outrageous legal antics — attorneys interviewed said its portrayal of misogyny in the legal field, high-pressure client work, strategic negotiations and the unique challenges facing women in family law rings true. They noted that some depictions, including lavish offices, high-net-worth clients and round-the-clock demands, mirror aspects of elite divorce practice, even if the show sacrifices courtroom reality for glamour and drama.

The TBA will host the “How to Manage Your Workload – Time, Task, Email & Distraction Management for Lawyers,” webcast on Nov. 18 from noon to 1 p.m. CST offers practical strategies to help attorneys regain control of their time before 2026. Led by national speaker and Affinity Consulting expert Paul Unger, the program will address the nonstop demands of legal technology, email overload and the hundreds of daily screen switches that drain focus, providing proven systems to reduce mental clutter, set boundaries with technology and build an effective workflow using tools lawyers already have, including Microsoft Outlook. To register and for more information, visit the TBA website.

The Knoxville Bar Association (KBA) will hold its Fall Memorial Service on Nov. 21 from 3 to 5 p.m. EST at the Tennessee Supreme Court Building, 505 Main St. in Knoxville. The event, which is free and open to attendees, will take place in the Supreme Court courtroom on the building’s second floor. The service is to celebrate the careers, honor, applaud and express gratitude for the members of the Knoxville bar who have died since the last memorial service. Joining KBA President Jonathan Cooper in reflecting on and celebrating the lives of these individuals will be the Rev. Charles Fels and Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Dwight Tarwater. For more information and to register visit the KBA website.

The newest episode of BarBuzz explores the intersection of love and law with Memphis attorney Lucie Brackin, a partner at Rogers & Brackin. In “The Legal Side of Love: Family Law and Celebrity Prenups,” TBA communications coordinator and podcast host Azya Thornton sits down with Brackin to discuss common misconceptions about prenuptial agreements, navigating tough relationship conversations and what high-profile couples like Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce might include in a prenup. Brackin also shares insight into her work on international child abduction cases under the Hague Convention and offers practical advice for couples on protecting themselves legally and emotionally. Missed a past episode? Check them all out in the BarBuzz archive.

Jackson lawyer Jen Free has announced her intention to run for Madison County General Sessions Court judge, WBBJ reports. Free, an attorney with Byrd & Byrd, brings over two decades of courtroom experience and community involvement to her campaign. “The people of Madison County deserve a judge who is efficient, fair and deeply committed to justice,” said Free. “In General Sessions Court, every citizen should have their case heard promptly and with respect by a judge who applies the law with precision and integrity.” Free received her law degree from Nashville School of Law. The primary election is set for May 5, 2026, with the general election on Aug. 6, 2026.

The TBA’s 37th Annual Health Law Forum wrapped up in downtown Nashville Friday. Close to 250 attendees heard updates on AI in health care, regulatory fraud and abuse, controlled substances enforcement, federal enforcement actions, ethics and the rise of compounded drug products. At the section’s annual meeting and luncheon, Imad Abdullah, senior vice president and chief legal officer with Regional One Health in Memphis, passed the Section Cup to incoming chair Travis Lloyd, a member in the Nashville office of Bass Berry & Sims. Members of the section also voted on Jesse Neil with Foley & Lardner in Nashville as the new vice chair and Kelly Street with Egerton, McAfee, Armistead & Davis in Knoxville as the new East Tennessee delegate on the section executive council. Special thanks to those who helped plan the event or spoke at sessions, as well as this year's sponsors. Thanks also to Barnes & Thornburg for hosting the Health Law Primer on Wednesday. See photos from last night's reception and sessions today.

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