PER CURIAM. Michael Thomas pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, and the district court sentenced him to 300 months in prison. He now seeks to vacate his plea and challenge the reasonableness of his sentence. We reject his arguments and affirm.

This is an action for breach of contract, unlawful procurement of breach of contract, and civil conspiracy arising out of a purchase and sale agreement related to real property in Moore County, Tennessee. The buyers, Karl and Beth Ann Kokko, alleged that the sellers, Thomas and Wendy Moore, breached the contract by failing to fulfill their obligation to close. The Kokkos further alleged that Gregg and Daffney Driver induced the breach by conspiring with the Moores to sell the property to the Drivers’ company, MOCAR Enterprises, Inc. The listing realtor, Crye-Leike of Nashville, Inc., intervened to collect a commission. The trial court took several actions that are at issue on appeal. First, the court granted the Kokkos’ Motion for Sanctions against the Drivers and MOCAR and entered a default judgment against them on the claims for unlawful procurement and conspiracy. Second, the court granted the Kokko’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment and entered judgment against the Moores on the claims for breach of contract and conspiracy. Third, the court set aside the MOCAR deed and ordered specific performance of the contract. And fourth, the court granted Crye-Leike’s claim against the Moores for a commission. This appeal followed. We conclude that summary judgment was inappropriate on the Kokkos’ claim for civil conspiracy but affirm the trial court in all other respects. Thus, we vacate the trial court’s judgment in part, affirm it in part, and remand for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.

October 13, 2025 - October 17, 2025.

The Tennessee Supreme Court has issued an order seeking comments from the legal community and the public on amendments to Rule 21 that would require attorneys to complete at least one hour of continuing legal education in mental health or substance use disorders every three years. The changes, proposed by the Tennessee Lawyer Assistance Program and Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services, would amend Section 3.01(a) to require at least one hour of the currently required three hours in ethics/professionalism programming be dedicated to these topics. The deadline for submitting written comments is Dec. 19. Comments should reference docket number ADM2025-01538 and be emailed to appellatecourtclerk@tncourts.gov or mailed to: Clerk James Hivner, Re: Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 21, 401 Seventh Ave., N., STE 321, Nashville, TN 37219-1407.

In 2023, 1,588 Tennesseans died as a result of a firearm, a historic high, according to newly released data by the state’s Department of Health. The rate of firearm deaths rose in nearly every category: adult suicide, child suicide and homicides of both adult and child victims, placing Tennessee seventh in the nation for the rate of gun deaths, the Tennessee Lookout reports. Read the full report from WBBJ TV. In addition, Tennessee Senate Democrats maintain a database to track state gun deaths. It was created after the 2023 shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville and shows that over the past 10 years, firearm fatalities involving children increased overall by 128%, firearm suicides among children rose 115% and firearm homicides of children rose 114%.

Knox County District Attorney Charme Allen will not ask the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) to examine the Knox County Sheriff’s Office’s handling of a 2022 crash that killed a teenager. The family of Conor Dolin, who died in a single-vehicle wreck, requested an independent review to determine why no charges were filed against the 15-year-old unlicensed driver. Allen said she found no evidence of criminal intent in the sheriff’s investigation, which was marred by missing evidence, a lost crash report and deleted body camera footage, according to Knox News. The DA’s office twice declined to charge the unlicensed driver, citing an incomplete investigation. Allen noted that while her office will not request an inquiry, the TBI could open one on its own.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday agreed to take up whether a federal law that bans gun possession for drug users is constitutional, with a decision expected by next summer, The Hill reports. The case stems from the prosecution of Ali Danial Hemani, an alleged regular marijuana user, who was charged after agents searched his home and found cocaine, marijuana and a Glock 19. His conviction was overturned by an appeals court, which ruled the law’s broad scope conflicted with gun rights. It also found that prosecutors had not alleged that Hemani was unlawfully under the influence when the gun was discovered. The Trump administration had asked the justices to take up the case.

A week after an explosion killed 16 people at the Accurate Energetic Systems (AES) plant near Bucksnort, families of the victims are taking legal action against the company, claiming it failed to adequately protect their loved ones, NewsChannel 5 reports. The explosion occurred Oct. 10 at the facility in Humphreys and Hickman counties. The lawsuit seeks $3 million in compensatory damages and $9 million in punitive damages from AAC Investments LLC, the parent company of AES. Attorney Lee Coleman said his firm now represents two families and is investigating additional cases involving as many as eight other potential companies that could be added as more evidence becomes available. AES representatives declined to comment on the litigation but said the company is “committed to learning what caused this unprecedented tragedy” and has always been dedicated to “the highest safety standards.” The investigation into the explosion remains ongoing.

The Tennessee Supreme Court on Oct. 17 lifted a six-year suspension imposed on Shelby County lawyer TeShaun David Moore in 2020, retroactive to 2018. On April 9, 2024, Moore filed a petition for reinstatement. A Board of Professional Responsibility hearing panel recommended that the suspension be lifted. The court adopted that recommendation but conditioned reinstatement on Moore’s “continuing compliance with and timely satisfaction” of conditions set forth in the Oct. 17 order. The court also noted that Moore remains suspended for an administrative violation and will need to seek a separate reinstatement order to lift that suspension.

Last week, the TBA communications team attended the National Association of Bar Executives’ annual Communications Section Workshop in Boise, Idaho. TBA staff members Stacey Shrader Joslin and Julia Wilburn served on a panel titled “Serving the Whole of Your Membership,” where Wilburn discussed efforts to support rural lawyers and Joslin highlighted TBA programming for members at all stages of their legal careers. Later that afternoon, staff member Azya Thornton moderated a social media roundtable discussion. See photos from the workshop.