The U.S. Supreme Court last week upheld a Texas law requiring age verification for users accessing online pornography. It was the first time the court has imposed requirements on adult consumers in order to protect minors, NPR reports. The 6-3 decision, split along ideological lines, affirms similar laws passed in nearly half of U.S. states, including in Tennessee. The ruling marks a setback for the Free Speech Coalition, an adult entertainment industry group that had challenged the law, arguing that it violated the First Amendment guarantee to free speech and expression.

A recent article in Reuters looks at both sides of the American Bar Association's (ABA) plan to double hands-on credit requirements for law students from six to 12. The proposal could come up to vote as early as August. More than one quarter of law schools have asked the ABA to reconsider and make changes incrementally.

Prior to passage of President Donald Trump’s massive policy and budget bill by the U.S. Senate, the parliamentarian struck a proposed tax on litigation financiers. The provision, championed by retiring Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, would have imposed a 40.8% tax rate on all "qualified litigation proceeds" received by any third party through a litigation financing agreement. It met strong opposition from the industry, which argued the tax would chill investment and undermine access to justice, Reuters reports. According to litigation finance firm Westfleet Advisors, there are now more than 42 active funders managing a total of $16.1 billion in assets. The industry continues to face other challenges, including calls for greater transparency from the business community, state regulations and federal legislation that would require civil litigants to disclose any litigation funding agreements.

President Donald Trump on July 1 nominated Braden Boucek for U.S. attorney in the Middle District of Tennessee. According to The Tennessean, Boucek has 10 years of experience as a federal prosecutor, serving as an assistant U.S. attorney in Nashville from 2011-2015 and in the Western District of Tennessee from 2005-2011. He started his career in the Tennessee Attorney General's Office, followed by two years as an assistant district attorney in Williamson County. Most recently he was vice president of legal affairs at the Beacon Center before joining the Southeastern Legal Foundation as senior vice president of litigation. If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Boucek would replace acting U.S. Attorney Rob McGuire, who plans to stay in the office after his interim role ends. The nomination came the same day Trump nominated Michael Dunavant to serve as the U.S attorney in the state’s Western District.

The Tennessee Supreme Court on June 25 suspended 11 attorneys for failure to pay the annual registration fee; three of whom also failed to file proof that client funds are held in an IOLTA-compliant account. View the fee suspension order and IOLTA suspension order. See the list of all lawyers suspended and reinstated for fee and IOLTA violations in 2025 or access all administrative suspensions dating back to 2005.

Tennesseans affected by severe storms in April have until Aug. 19 to apply for individual assistance, WPLN reports. Help with applications is available at Disaster Recovery Centers set up in affected areas. All centers will be closed on July 4, but a list of locations and hours is available online. Individuals in Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Dyer, Hardeman, McNairy, Montgomery, Obion and Wilson counties can apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov, through FEMA’s mobile app or by calling 800-621-3362.

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to consider the constitutionality of state laws that bar transgender athletes from participating on sports teams that align with their preferred gender. The court will take up two state laws — one from Idaho and one from West Virginia — in its next term, SCOTUSblog reports. Idaho was the first state to enact such a ban. It was sued by a transgender woman who wanted to try out for the Boise State University women’s track and cross-country teams. The West Virginia case centers on a 14-year-old who wanted to participate on the middle school girls’ sports teams. Lower court and appellate court rulings barred both states from enforcing their laws. The plaintiffs had urged the Supreme Court to let those rulings stand.

The Tennessee Bar Foundation inducted 29 new fellows at the group’s annual dinner in June. The new members were recognized for their contributions to the legal profession and the public good. Foundation Chair Jacqueline B. Dixon said of the group, "We are incredibly proud to welcome the Class of 2025 into the distinguished ranks of our Fellows. Their exceptional contributions elevate the legal profession and reinforce the Foundation’s ongoing efforts to support critical law-related programs across our great state." The foundation administers Tennessee's Interest on Lawyers' Trust Accounts (IOLTA) program and funds projects that provide civil legal services to low-income Tennesseans, improve the administration of justice and ensure greater access to justice for all. See the full list of new fellows.

Brentwood attorney Brandon Bass has taken office as president of the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association (TTLA) for the 2025-2026 term. He succeeds Danny Ellis of Chattanooga. Bass, who works for the Law Offices of John Day, has more than 15 years of experience representing clients in hundreds of injury cases including medical negligence, product liability, child sexual abuse, tractor-trailer and commercial vehicle accidents. Other leaders named include President-elect Troy Jones of Knoxville, Vice President East Audrey Dolmovich of Chattanooga, Vice President West Tiffany Carpenter of Memphis, Vice President Middle George Spanos of Nashville, Secretary Ali Toll of Goodlettsville and Treasurer Josh Cantrell of Franklin. See the full list of all board members in a release from the association.

The Tennessee Supreme Court has issued notice that the Tennessee General Assembly has ratified amendments to the Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure and Tennessee Rules of Appellate Procedure. The amendments, adopted by the court in December 2024, took effect on July 1.