The plaintiffs initiated this action based upon multiple theories of speech-related torts and emotional distress in response to the defendant’s statements made on her social media concerning them and their business. The defendant moved for dismissal, citing the Tennessee Public Participation Act (“TPPA”), codified at Tennessee Code Annotated section 20-17-101, et seq. The trial court dismissed the action, finding that the TPPA applied and operated to protect her right to free speech and to petition. We now affirm.

A three-judge panel of the Tennessee Court of Appeals has reversed a lower court ruling that a law cutting in half the size of Metro Nashville's City Council is unconstitutional. Axios Nashville reports that if the panel's 2-1 decision stands, the council would be reduced to 20 members for the 2027 election. In 2023, the Tennessee General Assembly passed a law that reduced the council's size from 40 to 20 members. In 2023 and again in 2024, a court placed an injunction on that law finding it to be unconstitutional under the state's Home Rule amendment, which prohibits legislation that specifically targets one local government. The state appealed. The city could seek a review of this latest decision from the Tennessee Supreme Court. Read the ruling and the dissent.

Pre-registration for next week's TBA Convention in Franklin will close Sunday at 11:59 p.m. CDT. Only on-site registration will be accepted after that point. The event will run from June 11-14. Visit the TBA Convention site for more information.

With more than 135 years of service, Chambliss Bahner & Stophel provides legal counsel to clients ranging from international corporations to startups to multi-generational families who seek timely and strategic solutions. The firm works with in-house counsel, executives, business owners, managers and other individuals on a wide variety of matters and pays careful attention to their cultures, goals and unique needs. Whether an international enterprise, regional powerhouse, a startup with a big idea or a family protecting its wealth, Chambliss provides significant value and will continually adapt its services to meet clients’ needs. Learn more about the firm here.

The TBA would like to recognize its Environmental Law Section Executive Council. The group meets monthly to plan continuing education opportunities, and to review, proffer and comment on relevant laws and policies. The organization thanks all council members for their hard work and dedication in providing TBA members essential and substantive education on environmental law.

Section Chair: Ellery Richardson, Tennessee Dept. of Environment & Conservation
Vice Chair: Payton Bradford, Tennessee Dept. of Environment & Conservation
Immediate Past Chair: Katherine Barnes Cohn, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings

Delegates:
Ashley Strittmatter, Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz — East Tennessee
Courtney Keehan, Chambliss Bahner & Stophel — East Tennessee
David Higney, Grant Konvalinka & Harrison — East Tennessee
Jaz Boon, Sherrard Roe Voigt & Harbison — Middle Tennessee
Jennifer Brundige, Tennessee Valley Authority — East Tennessee
Jenny Howard, Tennessee Dept. of Environment & Conservation — Middle Tennessee
John Dawson, Bass Berry & Sims — Middle Tennessee
Meryl Harris, Tennessee Valley Authority — Middle Tennessee
Randy Womack, Glankler Brown — West Tennessee

The recent Tennessee Environmental Network Show of the South (TENSOS) was a successful event, with around 800 industry professionals in attendance. The three-day conference took place at the Chattanooga Convention Center, with more than 70 unique education courses. The TBA Environmental Law Section was instrumental in building the legal track, which provided sessions on solid waste, the Endangered Species Act, PFAS Remediation, air law, conservation, a brownfield tour and more.

The forum also featured a reception honoring Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation Commissioner David Salyers. Sponsors of the reception included Grant Kovalinka & Harrison, Davey Resource Group, Chambliss Bahner & Stophel, Bass Berry & Sims, Butler Snow, Baker Donelson, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings, Thompson Burton and the Tennessee Bar Association. View photos from the event here.

Gov. Bill Lee has signed HB1376/SB1413, introducing strict new regulations on Tennessee’s hemp industry effective Jan. 1, 2026. The law bans THCA and synthetic cannabinoids, prohibits direct-to-consumer sales, and limits all hemp-derived cannabinoids — other than Delta-9 THC — to a maximum concentration of 0.3%. The Commercial Appeal reports that oversight of these products will shift from the Department of Agriculture to the Alcoholic Beverage Commission, which will enforce new packaging, age, licensing, taxation and marketing rules. Sen. Richard Briggs, R-Knoxville, who sponsored the bill, said during debate, “We have a situation here in Tennessee where we are essentially dealing with unregulated recreational marijuana ... It’s the wild west out there.” Critics have warned that the law could hurt small business and local farmers, like this business in Clarksville, which spoke to News Channel 5.

Knox County prosecutors on Monday dropped all attempted murder charges against Ahmad Gatlin after recently discovered cell phone data corroborated his claim that he was across town when the crime was committed. Gatlin was convicted in 2023 after police and prosecutors argued he was in a car when shots were fired into another car near Austin-East Magnet High School in 2021. Knox News reports that Gatlin's defense team had argued for a new trial on the grounds that the prosecutors initially withheld evidence, including metadata from Snapchat that would have proven Gatlin's location. Prosecutors said the data was withheld in error. In a press conference after Gatlin's release, defense attorney Stephen Johnson stated, “[Ahmad] saw justice today for the first time in over four years ... We are honored to have helped bring him home.” WBIR has the story.

Events marking this year's Juneteenth celebration are being planned across the state this month. In Memphis, the 32nd Annual Memphis Juneteenth Festival will take place June 6 and 7 in Medical District Park while the 5th Annual Juneteenth Freedom Ride will occur on June 14. In Nashville, the Music City Freedom Fest will take place June 14 and 15 in Historic Hadley Park while the National African American Music Museum will celebrate with a block party at Assembly Food Hall's Sky Deck on June 19. The Tennessee State Museum also will offer Juneteenth programming on June 19, including a curator talk on antebellum and Civil War photography and an African American highlight tour of the galleries. Rounding out celebrations in Nashville will be Juneteenth 615 on June 19 with living history tours and fireworks at Fort Negley. In Chattanooga, the Juneteenth Unity Run and Walk and the Southside Juneteenth Jubilee at the Bethlehem Center will take place on June 14, while other events are planned throughout the month. In Knoxville, the Annual MLK Jr. Parade/March will take place in Chilhowee Park, followed by the Juneteenth Celebration in Dr. Walter Hardy Park on June 19.

Judge Larry Potter established the Shelby County Environmental Court in 1983 and was appointed as its first judge, holding the position for 35 years before his retiring in 2018. Last Wednesday, current Environmental Court Judge Patrick Dandridge unveiled a portrait of Potter at 201 Poplar in a celebration of Potter's legacy as the "father of environmental court in Memphis." The court was one of the first of its kind in the country and helped set the standard in addressing environmental cases, the Commercial Appeal reports.