The TBA Court of Appeals Boot Camp will take place this Wednesday. This boot camp allows participants to observe oral arguments in real cases and hear analysis from participating attorneys on advocacy strategies while earning necessary CLE. Among the cases on the docket is Joseph Peter Meersman Jr. v. Regions Morgan Keegan Trust Et. Al., considering the dismissal of a lawsuit for lack of personal jurisdiction, insufficient process and insufficient service of process regarding two trusts of which the appellant was a beneficiary. After arguments, Court of Appeals judges will provide a Q&A to answer general questions regarding preparation and effective appeals. The program features one dual and 3.5 hours of CLE credit, and a networking lunch allowing an opportunity to meet with colleagues who practice in this area. Learn more and register here.

Being an attorney can be intense. Between deadlines, long hours and juggling tasks and clients, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed. That is where mindfulness ad meditation come in. Think of these tools as quick mental resets that can help you stay grounded, focused and a little less stressed.

Mindfulness is all about paying attention to what's going on in that specific moment without judgment. You don't need incense, a yoga mat or a silent retreat to get started! You just need a few minutes a day of deep breathing or a short, guided meditation to make a big difference. If you like technology, there are plenty of applications like Headspace, Calm or Insight Timer. These are not required though! You can build mindfulness into your everyday routine. Walking to court, waiting for a call, or grabbing lunch are all chances to slow down and really notice your surroundings. Can you walk to court without glancing at your phone? Can you have lunch without doing any work (including not even sending a single email)? Try it if you can! Over time, these habits can help you stay calmer under pressure and more in control of your reactions.

If you are looking for a low-effort way to boost your well-being and maybe even your efficiency, give mindfulness a try. Your brain will thank you.

The TBA will host its Local Government Forum next Tuesday, Oct. 14, as a live virtual event from 9 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. CDT. This year’s program will feature topics at the forefront of the field, including a legislative update, ongoing PFAS litigation, HR issues, and the use of AI in government. A discount is available for Local Government Practice Section members. Not a member of the section yet? Get started here. For more information and to register, visit the TBA website.

The Tennessee Alliance for Black Lawyers (TABL) currently has three vacancies on its board of delegates and is seeking dedicated leaders to fill the positions. Available roles include a representative from Knoxville, a representative from the SL Hutchins National Bar Association (NBA) chapter in Chattanooga and a law professor delegate. For the Chattanooga and law professor delegate seats, nominees must be members of their local NBA affiliate. There is no affiliate in Knoxville so the requirement does not apply for that role. Learn more at tablawyers.org or contact Chicoya Smith for more information.

The Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments is now accepting applications to fill a vacancy on the Tennessee Supreme Court following the retirement of Justice Holly Kirby on June 30, 2026. Applicants must be licensed attorneys who are at least 35 years of age, have been residents of the state for five years and must reside in the Eastern or Western Grand Division of Tennessee. Applicants must complete the application and submit it to the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) by noon CDT on Oct. 22. The council will meet on Nov. 25 at 9 a.m. CST in the courtroom of the Nashville Supreme Court Building, 401 7th Ave. N., Nashville 37219. Complete application instructions can be found here and questions can be directed to AOC Assistant General Counsel Laura Blount or at 615-741-2687.

The court received a petition for rehearing en banc. The original panel has reviewed the petition for rehearing and concludes that the issues raised in the petition were fully considered upon the original submission and decision. The petition was then circulated to the full court. No judge requested a vote on the suggestion for rehearing en banc. Therefore, the petition is denied.

PER CURIAM. Plaintiffs Patsy Levang, Cheryl Tuck-Smith, Susan Jennings, Margo Knorr, Karen Pope, and Ann Witt petition for a writ of mandamus directing the district court to vacate its order transferring their diversity suit to the District of Wyoming. We ordered Defendants Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity, Fraternity Council President Mary Pat Rooney, Vice Presidents Maria Brown, Nancy Campbell, Barb Goettleman, and Liz Wong, Treasurer Kyle Donnelly, and Panhellenic Delegate Beth Black to respond to the petition, and we invited the district court to respond as well. Having considered their responses, we grant the petition for mandamus.

PER CURIAM. FirstEnergy Corporation undertook two internal investigations after the federal government brought charges against former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder, because the charges implicated FirstEnergy in a bribery scheme related to the passage of Ohio House Bill 6. Soon after, shareholders sued FirstEnergy in a securities class action and sought the fruits of those investigations during discovery. The district court ordered their production, prompting FirstEnergy’s petition for a writ of mandamus. We grant the petition and vacate the district court’s production order.

Devan Shepherd , Defendant, was convicted by a Madison County jury of first degree felony murder, three counts of aggravated robbery, one count of aggravated burglary, and one count of employing a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, for which he received an effective sentence of life plus twelve years. On appeal, Defendant contends that the evidence was insufficient to support his convictions; that the trial court erred by granting the State’s motion in limine to prohibit any discussion of Defendant’s age at the time of the offenses; and that the trial court erred by not instructing the jury on defense of a third person. Following our review of the record and the parties’ arguments, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.

Defendant, Nathaniel Lee Mitchell, appeals from his Giles County Circuit Court conviction for reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon, for which he received a sentence of two years, suspended to two years’ supervised probation. Defendant contends that the trial court erroneously admitted evidence of a prior incident in violation of Tennessee Rule of Evidence 404(b) and that the evidence of his reckless mental state was insufficient. Following a thorough review, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.