Legislation passed by both the House and Senate would limit the use of community bail funds, potentially affecting access to pretrial release for some defendants, according to MLK50. The legislation, HB1450/SB1708 sponsored by Sen. Brent Taylor, R-Memphis, and Rep. Charlie Baum, R-Murfreesboro, was amended during legislative consideration to cap bail fund contributions at $5,000 per person and prohibit organizations from posting bond for the same individual more than once a year. Supporters say the measure is intended to protect public safety, while advocates argue it would disproportionately impact low-income defendants who rely on bail funds for release. The proposal comes amid reports of rising bond in Shelby County and broader changes to Tennessee’s bail laws in recent years, including allowing hearsay and prohibiting consideration of a defendant’s ability to pay in decisions to set bail.

A federal judge has ordered the immediate release of a Memphis high school student who had been held in immigration detention since February, finding his continued detention without bond violated his due process rights, the Daily Memphian reports. Yasser Jose Lopez Soza, a junior at Memphis Business Academy, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Feb. 20 while traveling to a school soccer game. In a ruling issued April 23, the court rejected the government’s argument that Lopez Soza could be held without bond as an “applicant for admission” who could be treated for constitutional purposes as if he had been stopped at the border. The judge said that argument was based on a recent ICE policy and not the “plain text” of the law. The judge also noted his lack of criminal history in ordering his release from the West Tennessee Detention Center. Lopez Soza's attorney had filed a habeas corpus petition in March challenging his detention.

Acting Attorney General (AG) Todd Blanche signed an order last week to immediately reclassify state-licensed medical marijuana as a less dangerous drug, according to The Hill. The order would shift state-licensed medical marijuana from a Schedule I drug to Schedule III drug and provide tax relief for licensed operators. The change would not legalize marijuana under federal law but would affect the 40 states that have approved medical marijuana programs. The order also is expected to expedite the process for state-licensed operators to register with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and affirms that cannabis researchers will not face legal repercussions for using state-licensed marijuana. Finally, the order directs the DEA to hold an expedited hearing to fully reschedule marijuana, according to a social media post from Blanche. The DEA plans to hold a hearing on June 29.

Jonesborough attorney Wesley Wilson died Jan. 4. Wilson attended Berea College and earned his law degree from the University of Louisville Louis D Brandeis School of Law. Before entering private practice, he served in the U.S. Army in Korea and worked as a State Farm Insurance claims representative for 15 years. Mountain Empire Crematorium in Jonesborough is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to Berea College, memo: Mary Wilson Hollyfield Memorial Scholarship Fund, CPO 1855, Berea, KY 40404, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Board of Directors has selected Mike Skaggs, a former chief operating officer (COO) who retired in 2022, to serve as interim chief executive officer (CEO) for one year, effective immediately, Chattanooga Times Free Press reports. Skaggs will replace CEO Don Moul, who joined TVA in 2021 and recently informed the board of his plan to retire July 1. Skaggs worked for TVA from 1994 until his retirement and oversaw the $4.7 billion completion of Watts Bar Nuclear Plant Unit 2, which in 2016, became the first nuclear unit to come online in the United States in the 21st century. According to his offer letter, the board and Skaggs may agree to extend his term beyond the initial year.

The Tennessee Supreme Court on April 22 suspended 21 attorneys for failure to pay the annual registration fee, 13 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. Lawyers reinstated in the last month include four suspended in 2026, one from 2025, one from 2025, one from 2024, one from 2023. TBA has administrative suspensions dating back to 2005. Be sure to check the Board of Professional Responsibility's website for the most up to date information on lawyers' licenses.

Crow Estate Planning & Probate, with offices in Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky, has announced its expansion to East Tennessee with an office in downtown Chattanooga. John Crow, founder of the firm, said opening an office in Chattanooga is a “natural extension of what we have been building across Tennessee.” And “... we simply love Chattanooga. It's a city with character, strong families, and a real sense of community. That made it an easy decision for us to invest here and build something long-term.” Attorney Scott Grant will join the firm to lead the new office, which will open May 4. Grant previously served 29 years as an attorney and senior counsel at Grant, Konvalinka & Harrison in Chattanooga. The office will be located at 736 Georgia Ave., Ste. 504, Chattanooga 37402 and can be reached at 423-456-2953. Read more in a press release from the firm.

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 focus on technology topics as part of TBA’s first-ever Tech Showcase. On June 11 at 1:15 p.m. EDT, join Livingston lawyers Emily and Evan Wright with Wright & Wright LLP as they dig into conscious lawyering with artificial intelligence (AI). The pair will provide a practical overview of how attorneys can use AI tools effectively while maintaining independent judgment and meeting ethical obligations. The session will cover AI’s capabilities and limitations, recent case law addressing AI use in litigation, evolving duties attorneys face when relying on these tools, tips for reviewing and verifying AI-generated work, and practical strategies for protecting client confidentiality and sensitive data. Register for the convention or purchase a day pass to attend Thursday's tech events, including this CLE.

On April 23, Davidson County lawyer Cynthia Jane Bohn received a public censure from the Tennessee Supreme Court. Bohn represented a mother in a custody dispute in which a guardian ad litem had been appointed for the children. Bohn met with the two minor children without the guardian ad litem present and discussed the pending litigation, telling the children they hypothetically could be put into foster care under some circumstances. She also grabbed the arm of one child and held it during the meeting. The court later disqualified Bohn from representing the mother. The court found her actions violated Rules of Professional Conduct 4.2, 4.4 and 8.4(d).

Rutherford County lawyer Dalen L. P. Farmer received a public censure on April 23. Farmer was hired to defend a client in a partition and promissory fraud action. A motion to compel was filed against the client for failing to provide discovery responses. The Tennessee Supreme Court found that Farmer did not provide a copy of the motion to his client, did not file a response and failed to appear in court on the motion. The plaintiff received a judgment of default and sanctions against the client. Farmer’s actions were found to violate Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 3.4, 8.1 and 8.4.