On June 30, Judge Mike Spitzer retired from the 32nd Judicial District Circuit Court. Spitzer joined the bench in 2018, when the 21st Judicial District — which at the time included Hickman, Lewis, Perry and Williamson counties — created a new judicial position to help with the caseload due to Williamson county's rapid growth. In 2022, for the first time in 45 years, a new district was created, and Hickman, Lewis and Perry counties became the 32nd Judicial District, which Spitzer was elected to serve. Spitzer says what he has enjoyed most about his judicial career is finding ways to help people. “There was a guy who came up and said, ‘Judge Spitzer’ and gave me a hug. He said, ‘I’m here because of you.’ He went through our drug court program. Things like that are very helpful in making you feel good about what you do.” Read more about Spitzer's career in this profile from the Administrative Office of the Courts.

Lawyers now have more free resources to share with clients who are incarcerated in Middle Tennessee area prisons. The Family Reconciliation Center (FRC), a nonprofit hospitality house, provides overnight stays for friends and loved ones visiting incarcerated individuals from out of town. FRC also offers an online guide to help navigate the sometimes-complicated visitation system. Supported through the generosity of individuals, faith communities and foundations (including a recent grant from the Tennessee Bar Foundation), FRC ensures that visitors can stay in a comfortable and safe environment. Founded in 1984, FRC is the only organization in Tennessee providing free lodging of this type, and one of just a few similar facilities in the country.

Recorded at TBA's Annual Convention in June, Russell Fowler, with Legal Aid of East Tennessee and "History's Verdict" columnist for the Tennessee Bar Journal, will take participants through an entertaining presentation to countdown the landmark court cases that shaped Tennessee’s legal landscape. Tune in July 31 at noon CDT and earn 0.75 hours of general credit. Register here. Can't make that time? The program also is available on demand.

RONALD LEE GILMAN, Circuit Judge. Devante Glenn, who was accused of selling drugs that led to an overdose death, appeals his conviction on two counts of distributing carfentanil, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C), and one count of using a telecommunications device to facilitate the transaction, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 843(b). Glenn contends that there was insufficient evidence to support his conviction and that the district court erred by allowing a law-enforcement officer, Agent Orlando Almonte, to testify as an expert about the meaning of common words and phrases contained in text messages sent between Glenn and the decedent. For the reasons set forth below, we VACATE Glenn’s conviction and REMAND for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.

JOHN K. BUSH, Circuit Judge. The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (Grand Traverse Band or the Tribe) and its employee welfare plan (the Plan) allege that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (Blue Cross) breached fiduciary duties owed to the Tribe under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and related duties under Michigan state law. According to the amended complaint, Blue Cross submitted false claims to the Tribe, causing the Tribe to overpay for hospital services received by its members and employees. On appeal, the Tribe challenges the district court’s (1) dismissal of its ERISA and common-law claims, (2) grant of summary judgment to Blue Cross on the Michigan Health Care False Claims Act (HCFCA) claim, and (3) denial of the Tribe’s motion for leave to amend its complaint a second time. For the reasons set forth below, we AFFIRM.

The Defendant, Tracy Lebron Vick, pleaded guilty to second degree murder as a Range II offender and received a forty-year sentence. The Defendant filed two motions to correct an illegal sentence pursuant to Tennessee Rule of Criminal Procedure 36.1, which the trial court summarily dismissed for the failure to state a colorable claim. On appeal, the Defendant contends that the court erred in denying relief. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

The Defendant, Todd Johnathan Grubb, appeals from the Meigs County Criminal Court’s probation revocation of the nine-year sentence he received for his guilty-pleaded conviction for possession with the intent to sell or to deliver one-half gram or more of methamphetamine. On appeal, he contends that the trial court abused its discretion by revoking his probation and ordering him to serve the remainder of his sentence in confinement. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Petitioner, Richard Crawford, appeals the denial of his petition for post-conviction relief, which challenged his Shelby County Criminal Court convictions of especially aggravated robbery, attempted especially aggravated kidnapping, attempted second degree murder, and employing a firearm during the attempt to commit a dangerous felony, claiming that he was deprived of the effective assistance of counsel and due process of law. Discerning no error, we affirm.

This appeal arises out of a landlord-tenant dispute between Appellant Stacie Smith and Appellee Gary Meek. In response to a plumbing issue in her rented home, Ms. Smith sought injunctive relief from the Knox County General Sessions Court requiring Mr. Meek to make certain repairs to the home. The General Sessions Court granted the requested injunction, which Mr. Meek appealed to the Knox County Circuit Court. Following a bench trial, the Circuit Court entered judgment in favor of Mr. Meck and dismissed Ms. Smith's complaint. Finding no reversible error, we affirm the judgment of the Circuit Court.

July 21, 2025 - July 25, 2025.