The Tennessee Supreme Court, which approved adoption of the NextGen Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) for Tennessee exam takers in 2024, announced new details on score transfers as the state prepares to transition from the legacy UBE in July 2027. Tennessee will accept transferred NextGen UBE scores beginning with the July 2026 administration, as some jurisdictions begin offering the new exam, while others will not implement it until February or July 2028, according to a press release from the Administrative Office of the Courts. The court also will continue to accept unexpired legacy UBE scores earned through the February 2028 administration. By no later than Aug. 31, 2026, the court will set the minimum passing score for the NextGen UBE for applicants seeking admission in Tennessee, including those transferring scores from other jurisdictions.

Davidson County Sheriff Daron Hall is running unopposed for reelection and poised to begin a seventh term after more than two decades overseeing Nashville’s jail system, the Nashville Banner reports. Hall says he remains committed to the role as the department faces challenges including jail overcrowding, contraband smuggling and the need for expanded mental health services. The department is responding through the county's Behavioral Care Center, which provides alternatives to the traditional jail system, and investing in new technology and enforcement measures to curtail dangerous drugs entering facilities. Hall also says he is reviewing a legislation requiring cooperation with federal immigration authorities and that his office is seeking legal guidance on how it may affect current practices. That measure is awaiting the governor's signature.

CVS Health is threatening to sue Tennessee after both the House and Senate gave bipartisan approval to a bill requiring pharmacy benefit managers to divest from pharmacies they manage, the Tennessean reports. Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) are third parties that manage prescription drug benefits. Audits have found PBMs, including CVS Health, have unfairly favored affiliated pharmacies and shortchanged independent pharmacies. The FAIR Rx Act (SB2040/HB1959) would bar PBMs from managing pharmacies they own. Hospital- and employer-owned pharmacies are excluded from the bill. CVS, which owns PBM Caremark as well as retail pharmacies and insurer Aetna, said it may sue if the bill becomes law, and warned it could close its 137 Tennessee locations, eliminate jobs and reduce access to care. The bill now awaits the governor's consideration.

A bill passed by the Tennessee General Assembly would expand the circumstances under which individuals can legally use deadly force to protect private property, according to NewsChannel 5. Supporters say HB1802/SB1847 empowers residents to defend their property, while critics warn it could blur the line between lawful self-defense and criminal behavior. Current law allows only reasonable force to protect property, defined as the minimum amount of physical action necessary to prevent harm. The legislation would allow deadly force in some cases, including if a person believes it is necessary to stop a serious crime. If Gov. Bill Lee signs the bill, it will take effect July 1.

The American Bar Association (ABA) has settled a lawsuit brought by a nonprofit, which alleged that its law school scholarship program was discriminatory, according to Bloomberg Law. In a filing Monday, the ABA said it will refrain from using race or ethnicity to determine scholarship eligibility. The ABA’s Legal Opportunity Scholarship provides $15,000 to about 25 first-year law students. The American Alliance for Equal Rights filed suit in April 2025. The ABA subsequently updated the program’s eligibility requirements to remove references to underrepresented racial or ethnic groups and instead require “a strong commitment to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion.” Under the settlement, the group will not receive damages or other relief, and no alliance member will receive scholarship funds.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is challenging Tennessee’s denial of fingerprint testing for death row inmate Tony Carruthers, who is scheduled to be executed May 21, NewsChannel 5 reports. The ACLU, the ACLU of Tennessee and Quarles & Brady LLP filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday seeking access to fingerprint evidence and other forensic testing in Carruthers’ case. The complaint argues Tennessee courts wrongly denied Carruthers’ request for fingerprint testing and improperly refused to consider newer evidence, including records allegedly confirming that a key witness worked as a paid confidential informant. Carruthers has maintained his innocence. His attorneys argue no physical evidence links him to the killings and say six fingerprints recovered from the crime scene did not match his. The lawsuit follows a separate request filed in the Tennessee Supreme Court seeking additional DNA testing, which remains pending, according to the complaint.

The TBA Young Lawyers Division (YLD) will host “Drug Court 101: What Every Non-Drug Court Lawyer Needs to Know About Tennessee’s Recovery Courts,” virtually on June 3 from noon to 1 p.m. CDT. The program will feature Judge Alexander McVeagh of the Hamilton County Circuit Court and Shannon Morgan of Hamilton County’s recovery courts, who will provide an overview of how recovery courts operate and how attorneys can better support clients involved in them. The session is designed to offer practical guidance for lawyers who may not regularly practice in drug court settings. For more information and to register, visit the TBA website.

Effective July 1, lawyers will have to comply with new redaction rules for filings in Tennessee’s appellate courts. The TBA Appellate Practice Section will host a free webinar on the new rules and how they will significantly change the process for writing and filing briefs with the Tennessee Court of Appeals, Court of Criminal Appeals and Supreme Court. Appellate practitioners Jacob Vanzin, Ben Raybin and William Gill will explore the rules and offer a primer on how to comply with the new requirements. One hour of general CLE credit is available for a $50 processing fee. Learn more and register here.

Comments in response to the Tennessee Supreme Court's Sept. 16 order seeking feedback on seven questions related to regulation of the state's legal profession are due tomorrow. The court extended the deadline to April 30 in January. The court says the goal of the effort is to increase the availability of affordable legal services in the state while ensuring the competency of attorneys and safeguarding the public. Comments should include docket No. ADM2025-01403 and be submitted to Clerk James Hivner, Re: Regulatory Reform, 100 Supreme Court Building, 401 7th Ave. N., Nashville, TN 37219 or by email to appellatecourtclerk@tncourts.gov. Visit TBA's Legal Access & Regulatory Reform resource page to learn more about the areas the court is reviewing.

Tennessee lawyers will gather in June for the 2026 TBA Annual Convention. This year's CLE lineup, which will offer 8.5 hours of credit, will include the annual Legislative Update. Make plans now to join the TBA Government Affairs Team — Berkley Schwarz with Pier Strategies and Brad Lampley and Ashley Harbin with Adams & Reese — as they cover the most recent session of the Tennessee General Assembly and legislation affecting Tennessee lawyers. The program will take place June 11 from 3:15-4:15 EDT at the Crowne Plaza in downtown Knoxville. Learn more about the convention and register here.