Since January, Tennessee has seen one of the nation’s largest expansions of local immigration enforcement partnerships, growing from just two to 48 law enforcement agencies under federal 287(g) agreements with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The Tennessee Lookout reports that the deals now include sheriffs, small-town police, constables and state highway patrol officers, significantly widening the reach of federal immigration enforcement across the state. Supporters say the agreements promote public safety and uphold immigration law, while critics warn they encourage racial profiling and divert police from local priorities. The Trump administration and Tennessee lawmakers have offered financial incentives — including salary reimbursements, equipment funding and grants — to enter into one of three model agreements: jail enforcement, warrant service officer or task force.

An investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller's Office uncovered extensive misuse of public funds in the City of Martin, leading to indictments of Mayor Randy Brundige, Economic Development Director Brad Thompson and former city employee Natalie Brundige. Investigators found that the officials collectively misappropriated more than $450,000 through unauthorized credit card use, luxury travel and unearned compensation. Additionally, Thompson's personal consulting firm billed the city for for grant-writing and administrative services that were already part of his duties. Comptroller Jason Mumpower called the case “troubling,” emphasizing the need for stronger oversight of city spending and employee accountability. The three were indicted by the Weakley County Grand Jury on Monday. WBBJ reports on the developments.

Join moderator and TBA YLD President Judge Alex McVeagh and four Tennessee judges on Nov. 20 for a one-hour conversation about their paths from first-generation lawyers to serving on the bench. Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Sarah Campbell, Davidson County General Sessions Judge Ana Escobar, Court of Appeals Judge John W. McClarty and 21st Judicial District Circuit Court Judge David Veile will share how they built their careers without direct ties to the legal profession, the challenges they faced and the lessons they learned along the way. Whether you are a first-generation attorney or simply interested in the journeys of those who serve in the judiciary, this program will offer practical insights, encouragement and a candid look at what it takes to succeed at the highest levels of the legal field. For more information and to register visit the TBA's website.

The TBA Administrative Law Section has announced recent Belmont University College of Law graduate Zach Sterne as the winner of its 2024-2025 writing competition for his essay "Standing Up for Setting Aside: Vacatur’s Valid Role as a Remedy Under Section 706 of the Administrative Procedure Act." Sterne graduated from Belmont in May 2025, where he served as managing editor of the Belmont Law Review and was recognized as its “Most Valuable Editor.” During law school, Sterne also distinguished himself as chief brief writer and swing advocate for the championship team at the 2025 McGee Civil Rights Moot Court Competition, where he earned both the Best Oral Advocate Award and Top Respondent Brief Award. Sterne is now an associate attorney at Ortale Kelley, where his practice focuses on federal litigation, civil rights, appellate advocacy, complex tort litigation and government liability. The section currently is accepting submissions for its 2025-2026 writing competition. Check out the guidelines here and apply by April 30, 2026.

The Tennessee Supreme Court temporarily suspended Idaho lawyer Edward Kendall White on Nov. 12 after he failed to respond to the Board of Professional Responsibility about a complaint of misconduct. He is immediately precluded from accepting any new cases, and must cease representing existing clients by Dec. 12. The suspension will remain in effect until dissolution or modification by the Supreme Court.

The State appeals the trial court’s dismissal of the indictment against the defendant, Destiny Sharina Williams, charging her with assault and abuse of a vulnerable adult. The State argues that dismissal was in error because the trial court based its decision on the State’s failure to object to a delayed dismissal of warrants against the defendant in city court. Upon our review of the record, the applicable law, and the parties’ briefs, we reverse the trial court’s order dismissing the indictment, reinstate the charges against the defendant, and remand the case to the trial court for further proceedings.

The petitioner, Tarvis Weatherly, appeals the denial of his post-conviction petition, arguing the post-conviction court erred in finding he received the effective assistance of counsel. After our review of the record, briefs, and applicable law, we affirm the denial of the petition.

A Knox County jury convicted the Defendant, Timothy Stanton, of aggravated kidnapping, aggravated assault, and domestic assault. The trial court imposed an effective sentence of twelve years’ incarceration. On appeal, the Defendant argues that the trial court erred in denying his motion for a judgment of acquittal upon conclusion of the State’s case. He also asserts that his conviction for aggravated kidnapping cannot stand because the victim’s confinement was merely incidental to the accompanying assault under State v. White, 362 S.W.3d 559 (Tenn. 2012). Upon our review, we respectfully affirm the judgments of the trial court.

Arthur Davis Hicks, Jr., (“Defendant”) appeals his convictions for reckless aggravated assault resulting in death and felon in possession of a weapon, for which he received a total effective sentence of twenty-eight years’ incarceration. Defendant contends that: (1) the evidence is insufficient to support his convictions; (2) the trial court abused its discretion by admitting testimony from the State’s expert forensic scientist regarding gunshot residue analysis performed by her co-worker; (3) the trial court erred in excluding testimony regarding the victim’s prior history of carrying a weapon and his “violent tendencies”; and (4) the trial court imposed an excessive sentence. Upon review, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.

In 2010, a Shelby County jury convicted the Petitioner, Andrew Hayes, of first degree felony murder and aggravated robbery, and the trial court imposed an effective sentence of life imprisonment. After unsuccessfully pursuing a variety of post-conviction remedies in state and federal court, the Petitioner filed a petition for writ of error coram nobis, wherein he included nine pieces of “new” evidence and argued that he was entitled to equitable tolling of the one-year statute of limitations. He then filed an amended petition for writ of error coram nobis, wherein he included a tenth piece of “new” evidence as well as some allegedly exculpatory evidence and argued that the statute of limitations should be tolled because this newly discovered evidence met the standard in Clardy v. State, 691 S.W.3d 390 (Tenn. 2024). The coram nobis court summarily dismissed the coram nobis petition, holding that it was untimely because the Petitioner was not entitled to equitable tolling. The Petitioner now appeals, arguing that the summary dismissal of his petition for writ of error coram nobis was in error. After review, we affirm the judgment of the coram nobis court.