In this case involving termination of the adoptive mother's and father's parental rights to their child, the Greene County Juvenile Court ("trial court") determined that the statutory ground for termination—severe child abuse—had been proven by clear and convincing evidence. The trial court further determined that clear and convincing evidence demonstrated that termination of parental rights was in the child's best interest. The parents have appealed. Discerning no reversible error, we affirm.

One of the former Memphis police officers convicted federally in connection with the 2023 death of Tyré Nichols will be released from custody pending a retrial on those charges, the Daily Memphian reports. Demetrius Haley, who has been in federal custody since his conviction in October 2024, will now be free until the new trial is completed, as long as he continues to comply with his bond conditions. U.S. District Judge Sheryl Lipman granted the new trial last month for Haley and his co-defendants, Tadarrius Bean and Justin Smith. Lipman’s decision came after U.S. District Judge Mark Norris recused himself for making comments about the Memphis Police Department.

Lauren Taylor ("Employee") sustained a compensable injury on May 12, 2019, while working for John and Stephanie Ingram, LLC ("Employer"). The Court of Workers' Compensation Claims ("trial court") entered an order approving a settlement agreement on August 24, 2021. Giving rise to the instant appeal, Employee filed a motion to set aside the settlement agreement on January 24, 2024. The trial court denied the motion on two independent grounds. First, the trial court determined that the motion was not timely filed. Second, the trial court found that, even if the motion was timely, Employee had failed to show that relief was warranted. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board ("Appeals Board") affirmed on both grounds. Employee has appealed and the appeal has been referred to the Special Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel pursuant to Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 51. We affirm.

U.S. District Court Judge Eli Richardson this week threw out three charges against former House Speaker Glen Casada and his ex-chief of staff Cade Cothren and postponed sentencing on their remaining fraud and kickback convictions to Sept. 16. But the pair’s request for a new trial was denied. Tennessee Lookout reports that Richardson found that the inadvertent playing of an unredacted interview with Casada by FBI agents was not enough to merit a new trial. Defense attorneys had argued the tape incriminated Cothren and prejudiced the jury. With regard to the charges thrown out, Richardson said prosecutors failed to prove the men operated as agents of the government. He did not make a decision on whether to hear from an alternate juror who wrote a letter saying she would have voted to acquit the pair.

The Shelby County Commission has approved a resolution that rules out the New Chicago area of North Memphis from being the site of any new jail. Commissioner Henri Brooks proposed the resolution, which passed on an 8-3-1 vote, the Daily Memphian reports. A real estate coalition that owns the land had proposed it as the best site for a new jail and criminal justice center. Commissioner Shante Avant announced she is appointing an ad hoc committee to research and make recommendations on how the process should work to request proposals for other sites. Commissioner Mickell Lowery will chair the group, which will include citizens and experts.

Lawyers presented their cases at the first hearing in a federal lawsuit challenging a recent Tennessee law making it illegal to “harbor” undocumented immigrants, the Nashville Post reports. The lawsuit argues that the law is unconstitutional and that its broad language could criminalize landlords, churches and nonprofits that house undocumented immigrants. It also contends that enforcement of immigration law should be the purview of the federal government, not the states. Attorneys with the state argued that churches and other groups would not be liable under the law, noting its intention is to crack down on “professional smugglers” who transport or harbor undocumented immigrants for a profit. The plaintiffs are seeking a preliminary injunction to block enforcement of the law while the case works its way through the court system.

The Tennessee Supreme Court temporarily suspended Shelby County lawyer William Shea Forgety from the practice of law on Sept. 9 after finding that he failed to respond to the Board of Professional Responsibility concerning one complaint of misconduct.

The Tennessee Supreme Court temporarily suspended Shelby County lawyer Andrewnetta Melissa Boyd from the practice of law on Sept. 9 after finding that she failed to respond to the Board of Professional Responsibility concerning one complaint of misconduct. The court notes that this suspension is in addition to an administrative suspension, entered Aug. 20, 2024, for failure to complete continuing legal education obligations.

The University of Memphis has closed its Office of Multicultural Affairs in response to recent Tennessee legislation that limits many diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs. This change has left many minority students uncertain and concerned, as the office had served as a key support hub — hosting groups like the NAACP, the Hispanic Student Association and the Black Student Association. University leadership says the shift is necessary for legal compliance, but students say it removes vital emotional, social and academic resources they rely on. WREG reports on the developments.

Registration is open for this year's Disability Law Forum! Join your colleagues Oct. 23 on Zoom for three virtual sessions that will cover a variety of topics applicable to disability law practitioners, including a session with Jennifer Cronenberg from the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (NOSSCR), a course dedicated to preparing for an administrative law judge hearing, and a Disability Determination Services/Office of Hearings Operations update with Kim Joseph and James Stanfield. Reserve your spot today!