A taxpayer failed to pay property taxes for a number of years. The county began enforcement proceedings and, following the entry of a default judgment against the taxpayer, the taxpayer’s property was ultimately sold at a delinquent tax sale. The purchaser filed a writ of possession to obtain possession of the property from the taxpayer, at which time the taxpayer filed a motion to set aside the default judgment and resulting tax sale. The taxpayer alleged lack of notice concerning the underlying delinquent tax proceedings and violation of her due process and equal protection rights. The trial court denied the taxpayer’s motion to set aside, concluding the taxpayer was properly served with notice of the underlying delinquent tax proceedings. We affirm.

In this post-divorce case, the husband filed a petition for declaratory judgment on the issue of whether a provision of the parties’ marital dissolution agreement concerning military retirement was modifiable. The trial court dismissed the husband’s petition on the ground of failure to state a claim upon which relief may be granted and ruled that the provision at issue was not modifiable. While we find that the trial court erred in granting the wife’s motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim, we affirm the result reached by the trial court on the merits of the dispute. Further, we have determined that the wife was not entitled to an additional award of attorney fees at trial and is not entitled to her attorney fees on appeal.

Gary Porter (“Petitioner”) filed a petition in the Davidson County Chancery Court (the “chancery court”), wherein he requested that the chancery court award him certain pre-trial jail credits which he was already awarded toward a separate sentence that Petitioner previously served. The chancery court granted summary judgment in favor of Amber Phillips (“Phillips”), Director of Sentence Management Services for Tennessee Department of Correction (“TDOC”). Petitioner appeals the judgment of the chancery court. Having determined that Petitioner’s brief is not compliant with the relevant rules of briefing in this Court, we conclude that his issue purportedly raised on appeal is waived. The appeal is dismissed.

Caprice McLemore, Gary McLemore, Misty Tanner, Barrett Tanner, and McKinley Tanner (together, “Plaintiffs” or “Appellants”) appeal from the judgment of the trial court dismissing their case against the defendant, Knox County (“Appellee” or “the County”). Appellants were injured in a car accident on Clinton Highway after being struck by a vehicle driven by Roy Michael Simmons (“Mr. Simmons”), who was evading a Knox County sheriff’s deputy. Plaintiffs filed suit against the County, alleging that it was liable for their injuries arising from the accident. Following a bench trial, the trial court concluded that the deputy pursuing Mr. Simmons did not act unreasonably under the circumstances and that the County was thus not liable for Plaintiffs’ injuries. Plaintiffs timely appealed to this Court. Discerning no error, we affirm.

The Department of Children’s Services (“DCS”) removed two children from their parents’ custody in May of 2020. After a long period in which DCS did not hear from the children’s father, and the father made no progress on his permanency plan, DCS filed a petition to terminate the father’s parental rights. Following a bench trial, the Juvenile Court for Overton County (the “juvenile court”) found that DCS proved five statutory grounds for termination of the father’s parental rights by clear and convincing evidence. The juvenile court also found, by clear and convincing evidence, that termination of the father’s parental rights was in the children’s best interests. The father appeals and, discerning no error, we affirm.

The U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals is seeking comments from the legal community and the public on the possible reappointment of U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Jennie D. Latta. Comments should be submitted by May 9 to Circuit Executive Marc Theriault, 503 Potter Stewart United States Courthouse, 100 East Fifth St., Cincinnati, OH 45202 or via email. Latta, who serves the Western District of Tennessee, is serving a 14-year term that will expire on March 5, 2025. Read the court’s official notice or contact the Office of the Circuit Executive at 513-564-7200 for more information.

Save the date! Real Estate Essentials, the TBA Real Estate Law Section's annual basics-level CLE, has been scheduled for Thursday, June 20. The program will take place virtually for ease of access and will offer three hours of general CLE credit. Don't forget that your section membership provides a discount on all Real Estate Law-sponsored CLE, so you'll definitely want to take advantage of those savings. Topics and other details will be announced soon, so keep an eye out for more information!

Shelby County Criminal Court Judge Melissa Boyd’s bond was revoked today following a hearing where prosecutors argued she violated a number of bond conditions. Prosecutors said she failed two recent drug tests — one on March 12 and one on March 15 — and did not report for two additional drug screens on March 23 and 25. They also told the judge that she failed to report to Shelby County pretrial services or make weekly call-ins with the department. The Daily Memphian reports that Boyd will remain incarcerated until her trial begins on April 24, unless she pleads guilty before then. Boyd had been out on a $5,000 bond since Dec. 13, 2023. In related news, state legislators will vote on April 4 on whether to remove Boyd from office. The Daily Memphian has that story as well.

TBA's testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, by TBA Executive Director Sheree Wright and Williamson County attorney David R. Grimmett, is now available to watch online. The pair talked about the need to increase the hourly rate and cap for court-appointed attorneys representing the indigent, and expressed support for the Administrative Office of the Court’s budget request of $26.145 million to raise the hourly rate to $80 per hour. Following their testimony, the committee approved a motion in support of adding $26.145 million to the governor's budget for that purpose. The funds ultimately will be decided through budget negotiations between the administration and the legislature. Watch the TBA's testimony beginning at 17:08.

One of Nashville’s largest law firms is leaving its downtown office and downsizing its space, the Nashville Business Journal reports. According to the journal, Butler Snow has signed a 31,000-square-foot lease for the top two floors of a new office tower in Germantown’s Neuhoff District. The firm currently has offices at the Pinnacle at Symphony Place, occupying 46,000-square-feet on the 15th and 16th floors. In explaining the move, firm chair Chris Maddux said, “After a lengthy search, we concluded that Neuhoff was the best fit for our firm’s future.” Its “combination of striking architecture and the dynamic mix of retail and amenities will provide an elevated experience for both our team and our clients.” The firm is one of several tenants leaving the downtown tower. Bass, Berry & Sims previously announced it would move to Nashville Yards.