Members of the TBA Young Lawyers Division (YLD) visited Vanderbilt University Law School, Belmont University College of Law, University of Tennessee Winston College of Law, Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law and Nashville School of Law in September to connect with law students across the state. The visits are part of the group's annual fall outreach to all six Tennessee law schools. Throughout the visits, YLD leaders speak with students about their entry into the profession and share information about the TBA member benefits available for students. Membership, which is free to law students, provides access to continuing legal education and can increase students' professional knowledge, opportunities to network and savings on school supplies and insurance. Students from the DLI Class of 2025 and the inaugural Rural Judicial Fellowship program were on hand to share their experiences and to encourage their peers to apply. Thanks to YLD Board Members Samantha Ellis, Morgan Hanna, Lorne Hiller, Mari Jasa, Patrick Morrison, John Murphy, Jennifer Safstrom, Darius Walker Jr. and Kristen Walker, and law students Harry Crane, Savannah Grant, M. Clark Hill, Samantha McCrory, Jillian McGauley, Charlie Pritchett and Mary Martha Willson for their contributions to these events.

READLER, Circuit Judge. Two months after being released from prison, Shaun Kidd was accused of committing four violations of the conditions of his supervised release. Kidd largely admitted to three violations but contested the fourth. The district court found against Kidd on all four, revoked his release, and sentenced him to 14 months of imprisonment. On appeal, Kidd argues that the district court clearly erred in finding he committed the fourth violation. Because the other three violations render any error here harmless, we affirm.

The guardian ad litem filed a petition to terminate a mother’s parental rights to her child. After the mother failed to respond, the guardian ad litem moved for entry of a default judgment against her. The mother appeared pro se at the default judgment hearing and requested a continuance to allow for court appointed counsel. The court found the mother was entitled to appointed counsel but denied the continuance. After hearing the petitioner’s proof, the court found clear and convincing evidence of multiple grounds for termination and that termination of the mother’s parental rights was in the child’s best interest. Under the circumstances, we conclude that the court erred in denying the mother a continuance to consult with counsel. So we vacate the termination of the mother’s parental rights and remand for further proceedings.

September 15, 2025 - September 19, 2025.

September 15, 2025 - September 19, 2025.

The plaintiff entered into an agreement with a company to make certain improvements to his existing home. According to the plaintiff, the construction done at the house was only partially completed and that work was improperly and negligently performed. In his complaint, the plaintiff alleged, inter alia, breach of contract, negligence, fraud and intentional misrepresentation, and conversion. The plaintiff averred that the acts of the home improvement company should be imputed to the defendant under the doctrine of respondeat superior; in the alternative, he alleged that the defendant was in a partnership or joint venture with the home improvement company. The trial court entered an order of default against the defendant after she was served but failed to appear or file a responsive pleading until after a default judgment had been entered. The trial court denied the defendant’s motion seeking to set aside the default judgment. The defendant appeals. After review, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

As 2025 winds down, the TBA is here to help attorneys meet their CLE requirements with flexible, year-end programming. TBA CLE offers live webcasts and on-demand courses that can be completed from home or the office, whether you need a single hour or 15 to finish the year. Members can select from packages by hour (six, eight, 10, 12 or 15), by topic, by practice area or by build their own using more than 200 on-demand programs. Topical and practice-area packages offer dual hours, making it easy to complete ethics requirements before the year ends. For more information and to browse the full catalog, visit the TBA website or contact support at cle@tnbar.org.

The White House on last week announced several changes to the H-1B visa program including a requirement of a $100,000 payment for new H-1B applications. The Trump administration said it made the change to curb abuses that displace U.S. workers and undermine national security. Supporters of the visa program say it elevates the competitiveness of American businesses. The one-time fee will not apply to renewals or existing visa holders, but is expected to significantly affect employers in technology, health care and other industries that rely heavily on foreign workers, the Nashville Business Journal reports. The Nashville Banner looks at the impact on Tennessee universities. The changes also call for federal agencies to begin revising prevailing wage levels and direct the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to prioritize high-skilled, high-paid applicants.

A visitation and celebration of life for Nashville lawyer David L. Steed will be held Oct. 4 at 5 p.m. CDT at Ruby, 2411 Blakemore Ave., Nashville 37212. Parking will be available next door at Harris-Hillman School. According to the family, memorial donations may be made to Greenways for Nashville, 2565 Park Plaza, Nashville, TN 37203; the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37839, Boone, IA 50037; or another charity of the donor's choice.

Shelby County Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr.’s trial on bribery and tax evasion charges has been delayed two months. U.S. District Judge Thomas Parker ruled Thursday that the trial, originally set for January 2026, will now begin March 2, 2026. The ruling followed a request from Ford’s attorney, who cited a busy trial schedule, and federal prosecutors did not object according to the Daily Memphian. Ford was indicted in February after a years-long investigation into his alleged handling of grants as a Memphis City Council member and county commissioner.