This appeal concerns divorce related issues including property division, alimony, and child custody. Roar Normann Ronning (“Father”) sued Lesley Anne Ronning (“Mother”) for divorce in the Circuit Court for Claiborne County (“the Trial Court”). The parties have a minor daughter, Freya (“the Child”). Over the course of multiple hearings, the Trial Court granted the parties a divorce and ultimately approved a parenting plan whereby Mother was named primary residential parent and received more parenting time with the Child than Father. One of the relevant factors in the child custody determination was Father’s career as a commercial airline pilot, which means he has a varied schedule. Father appeals, arguing among other things that the Trial Court erred in designating Mother primary residential parent, granting Mother more time with the Child than Father, and granting Mother major decision-making authority. Mother raises separate issues, including whether this appeal is frivolous. We find, inter alia, that the Trial Court did not abuse its discretion in making its custody determination. We find no reversible error in the Trial Court’s judgment. Mother’s separate issues are without merit. We affirm.

In the Juvenile Court for Shelby County (“the Juvenile Court”), the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (“DCS”) filed a petition to terminate the parental rights of Rickey J. (“Father”) and Anionetta J. (“Mother”) to their child, Rinyah J. (“the Child”), who was born drug-exposed. After trial, the Juvenile Court found that Father had failed to manifest an ability and willingness to assume custody of the Child and that Mother had committed severe child abuse. It further found that termination of their parental rights was in the Child’s best interest. Mother and Father appealed. Discerning no reversible error, we affirm.

May 12, 2025 - May 16, 2025.

The Tennessee Supreme Court permanently disbarred Knox County lawyer Melvin Jacob Werner from the practice of law on May 19. The court took the action based on two separate complaints of ethical misconduct and after finding that Werner committed fraud; made false representations of fact; knowingly violated Massachusetts law by engaging in unlawful, unfair or deceptive acts or practices; misled a client to induce her into entering a fraudulent investment agreement, resulting in a loss to the client of $650,000.00; misappropriated and converted client funds without the client’s knowledge or consent; impermissibly commingled client and personal funds; and made knowing misrepresentations of fact to his client. These actions were determined to violate Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct 1.15 and 8.4(c).

Shelby County lawyer Alisha Irene Wyatt was reinstated to the practice of law on May 14 after being on inactive status for more than five years. The Board of Professional Responsibility found that Wyatt’s petition for reinstatement was satisfactory. The court issued the order on May 16.

The Tennessee Supreme Court suspended Knox County lawyer Linn Marie Guerrero from the practice of law on May 16 for five years, with two years to be served on active suspension and the remainder on probation with conditions. During the probation period, Guerrero must engage a practice monitor and pay all costs and expenses of the disciplinary proceeding. The court took the action based on five separate complaints of misconduct. It found that Guerrero engaged in conduct that involved significant conflicts of interest between clients in adverse positions, entered into fee agreements without client authorization, charged excessive and unreasonable fees unsupported by billing records, and abused her fiduciary relationship. Guerrero also failed to reasonably communicate with or diligently represent clients, failed to protect client’s interests after withdrawing and abandoned client matters without returning the client’s property or otherwise protecting their interests. Guerrero agreed to a conditional guilty plea acknowledging she violated Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1,7, 1.8, 1.9, 1.16, 3.2 and 8.4(c) and (d).

Members of the TBA's 2025 Leadership Law (TBALL) class made their way to Columbia last week for a session focused on service and effective communication. Participants heard from Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder, who discussed running for office as a lawyer, and Lawrenceburg lawyer Ryan Durham who provided a session on being a good advocate and overcoming disability. Nashville lawyer Donald Capparella and Tennessee Shakespeare Company’s Denice Hicks provided an interactive class on public speaking, with former Channel 5 Nashville news reporter and current Sherrard Roe member Amy Rao Mohan wrapping up the day with a session on media relations. View photos from the event.

The Tennessee Supreme Court permanently disbarred McMinn County attorney Joseph Houston Crabtree Jr. from the practice of law on May 16. The court determined that in a personal injury matter, Crabtree abandoned his client and pending litigation, failed to respond to subsequent communications from his client and failed to turn over the client’s file to successor counsel. Further, when Crabtree was suspended from the practice of law on Nov. 22, 2022, for an unrelated matter, he failed to notify either his client or opposing counsel of the suspension. Finally, the court found that Crabtree failed to respond to the Board of Professional Responsibility regarding the disciplinary complaints. His actions were determined to violate Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3, 1.4, 1.16, 3.2, 3.4(c), 8.1(b) and 8.4(g).

A new state law protects Tennessee universities from anticipated antitrust lawsuits by athletes unhappy with the player-pay rules coming to college sports, and could accelerate the shift toward a professional model, Knox News reports. According to the paper, the law grants Tennessee universities flexibility to pay players without fear of legal repercussions or NCAA sanctions. A new NCAA system for paying athletes could begin as early as July 1, pending a multibillion-dollar settlement that would resolve three federal antitrust lawsuits against the NCAA and four power conferences. The settlement is expected to include new rules on revenue sharing, roster limits and NIL pay. About a dozen states have enacted similar laws, but Tennessee’s is believed to one of the most athlete-friendly Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) laws in the country, according to On3 Media. Gov. Bill Lee signed SB536/HB194 into law on May 1.

One of Chattanooga's longest-serving broadcasters, Earl Freudenberg, was this year's recipient of the Liberty Bell Award from the Chattanooga Bar Association (CBA). The award, which recognizes community service that strengthens America’s system of freedom under the law, was presented at the CBA's Law Day event earlier this month. Freudenberg, known to his listeners as “Hey Earl,” began his career in the 1960s as a news director and talk show host. He also is known for his service to the Forgotten Child Fund, Red Bank Jubilee, Armed Forces Day program and countless other community activities. Former TBA presidents Paul Campbell, Marcy Eason, Sam Elliott and Bill Haltom attended the event, where Haltom gave the keynote address. He spoke about his book "The Other Fellow May Be Right: The Civility of Howard Baker." See a photo of the group. Read more about the event on Local News 3.