Pro se Appellant, Robin Springer, has appealed an order of the Shelby County Circuit Court that was entered on July 3, 2024. We determine that the trial court’s order does not constitute a final appealable judgment. As a result, this Court lacks jurisdiction to consider this appeal. The appeal is, therefore, dismissed.

This appeal arises from a landowner’s complaint seeking a declaratory judgment that proposed construction was consistent with a permitted non-conforming use on its property. The parties agreed that the property was rezoned in 1957 and that certain non-conforming uses are permitted on the property. However, the city opposed the declaratory action due to the landowner’s refusal to submit plans to the city administrative zoning body to obtain its decision on whether the proposed use was a permissible extension of that non- conforming use. The city asserted that, without the landowner having applied for a building permit, the action was not ripe for adjudication. The trial court determined that the matter was ripe and that the landowner had standing, that it was entitled to a judgment as a matter of law, and that the proposed use was protected by the terms of the grandfather statute. Because the city was never permitted to rule on the proposed non-conforming use, we find that the matter was not ripe for review. Accordingly, the decision of the trial court is reversed, and the case is dismissed.

President Donald Trump approved a federal disaster declaration for all counties in the state of Tennessee following severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding that began April 2. The action authorizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to coordinate all disaster relief efforts to save lives; protect property, public health and safety; and lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe. Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize and provide equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency. No individual assistance is authorized at this point. News reports indicate that a suspected tornado hit Selmer in West Tennessee early today. At least four people are dead in the state, Tennessee Lookout reports, including one each in Carroll, Fayette, McNairy and Obion counties. The Commercial Appeal has images from hard-hit Selmer.

The U.S. Justice Department (DOJ) recently launched an Anticompetitive Regulations Task Force to advocate for the elimination of laws and regulations that create unnecessary barriers to competition. As a first step, the DOJ Antitrust Division will initiate a process to seek information from the public and industry experts about laws and regulations that make it more difficult for businesses to compete effectively, especially in the areas of housing, transportation, food, agriculture, health care and energy. Comments should be submitted by May 26 to www.Regulations.gov (Docket No. ATR-2025-0001). Read more about the task force on the division’s website.

Dyersburg lawyer Charles “Bubba” Maurice Agee Jr., age 76, died March 25 at his home at Clover Creek Ranch in Hornbeak. A graduate of the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, Agee launched his legal practice in 1976 in Dyersburg and spent his career in the courtroom as a plaintiff’s lawyer. He also held several elected offices, including alderman at large and city judge for the city of Dyersburg. A memorial service will be held April 12 at 4 p.m. CDT at Dyersburg Funeral Home, 420 US-51, Dyersburg 38024. The family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m. Memorial donations may be directed to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Protect Democracy or National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

The 2025 Business Law Forum will take place later this month on April 24 in Nashville, offering a full day of education and networking for Tennessee's business law community. The event will feature two sessions: "TN Business Law 101" in the morning, aimed at early career professionals and seasoned practitioners looking for a refresher, and "Advanced Topics" in the afternoon for those dealing with more complex legal issues. Attendees can register for the full day or choose to attend just the morning or afternoon sessions based on their interests. For more information and to register, visit TBA’s website. 

The Second Annual TBA Young Lawyers Division Trial College will take place on May 9 at Belmont University College of Law in Nashville. The event, running from 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. CDT, will cover essential litigation topics, including trial preparation, crafting opening and closing statements, conducting direct and cross-examinations, and working with expert witnesses. A panel of distinguished judges will provide judicial insights for trial success. For more details and to register, visit the TBA’s website. Later that month, join your colleagues as the TBA YLD hosts its second Exploration CLE at Fall Creek Falls State Park in Spencer on May 30. Attendees will earn three hours of CLE credit while enjoying the natural beauty of one of Tennessee’s state parks. The program includes a ranger-led hike and lunch, offering a unique opportunity to blend professional development with outdoor exploration. Registration begins at 9 a.m., with sessions running from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. CDT For more information and to register, visit the TBA website. Space is limited.

The Tennessee Bar Association’s online renewal for 2025-2026 is now open! Renew your membership to continue your access to TBA Today, the Tennessee Bar Journal, three free hours of CLE, resources for starting and building a new firm, and free legal research through vLex Fastcase, as well as savings on a range of products and services. Be sure to check out TBA's Preventing Legal Malpractice providers and Law Firm in a Box, and watch for more information this fall about TBA’s Group Health Insurance enrollment. Attorneys not participating in the TBA's firm billing program can log in and renew through their MyTBA dashboard. The TBA membership team will be working with firm administrators for those participating in firm billing so check with your firm administrator if you have questions about that process.

The next legal clinic for veterans in Knoxville will take place April 9 from 12-2 p.m. EST at the Knox County Public Defender's Community Law Office, 1101 Liberty St., Knoxville 37919. This is a general advice clinic sponsored by the Knoxville Bar Association, KBA Barristers, Legal Aid of East Tennessee, Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law, the University of Tennessee College of Law, the Knox County Public Defender’s Community Law Office and the local Veterans Affairs office. Attorneys and law students are needed. Sign up to volunteer here.

The Tennessee Supreme Court on March 26 directed the Board of Board of Professional Responsibility to respond to a filing by California lawyer Dale Gerard Nowicki that discipline imposed against him by the California Supreme Court should not be imposed in Tennessee. The court directed Nowicki to explain why reciprocal discipline should not imposed. He responded on March 10, arguing that identical discipline should not be imposed in Tennessee. The court directed the BPR to file its response by April 23.