The plaintiff corporation filed this action against the defendant independent contractors, alleging, inter alia, that the defendants violated their contracts and covenants not to compete. We granted this interlocutory appeal in which the defendants request review of the trial court’s denial of their motion in limine to exclude an email sent to defense counsel that contains privileged information. The email was inadvertently attached as an exhibit on two separate briefs filed with the court by defense counsel and then repeatedly referenced by defendants in later briefs in response to a motion to disqualify counsel and for sanctions. The trial court held that the repeated disclosure of the email operated as a waiver of the attorney-client privilege. We affirm the trial court.

This appeal concerns a subcontractor’s claims for non-payment. The trial court dismissed the claim for unjust enrichment against defendant Clark, the home owner, as not ripe because the plaintiff subcontractor had not exhausted its remedies against the party with whom it had contracted. The plaintiff appeals. We affirm.

Gov. Bill Lee will propose changes to the state's franchise tax during the upcoming legislative session to offer tax relief to businesses operating in Tennessee and modernize tax collection, reports the Tennessean. Businesses currently calculate their state franchise tax in a dual-pronged model established in the 1930s. Lee also said today he has no plans to propose a rate cut to the state’s 4% grocery tax, one of the highest rates in the nation. Democrats in the state legislature have called for a repeal of the grocery tax while requiring corporations who do business in the state to pay higher taxes.

A former state Supreme Court Chief justice and the first woman to lead the state's highest court will mediate the civil wrongful death suit filed by the widow of an inmate who died last year at the Shelby County Jail, reports the Daily Memphian. Janice M. Holder will oversee negotiations between lawyers for Nicole Freeman and Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner Jr., Chief Jailer Kirk Fields and the Shelby County government. Freeman is asking for $100 million for the death of her late husband, Gershun Freeman, who died Oct. 5, 2022, after an altercation with corrections officers.

The University of Tennessee College of Law recently held a "Celebration of Generosity" reception to honor alumni and friends who provide major philanthropic support for the college. Dean Lonnie Brown welcomed the honored attendees, and two current students and scholarship recipients, Ronald Young and Isabelle Thibault, shared how their educational journeys have been positively impacted by the generosity of donors. Read more about the event.

Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP announced it has completed its Nashville office relocation to ONE 22 ONE, 1221 Broadway, Ste. 2400, Nashville 37203. The firm now occupies the top four floors of the 24-story high-rise building. The firm signed a lease for the Gulch property in 2022. Bradley was founded in 1910 and is one of the largest law firms in Nashville with more than 160 attorneys. Read more about the new location,

A new poll by the conservative think tank Beacon Center found Gov. Bill Lee's proposal to expand school vouchers statewide is broadly popular, Knox News reports. The poll, conducted between Dec. 14 and 28, asked respondents whether they would oppose or support expanding the Educational Savings Account program which allows eligible K-12 families to use a portion of per-pupil funding for “private school tuition, tutoring, education therapy, or other educational purposes." Support was highest among Republicans at 85%, though a majority of both independents and Democrats supported the plan.

The Tennessee General Assembly can legally shield its records of sexual harassment investigations from the public, a judge ruled this week in a lawsuit related to an investigation last spring that led to the resignation of then-Rep. Scotty Campbell. According to the Tennessean, Brian Manookian sued the Office of Legislative Administration and its director, Connie Ridley, last May over unfulfilled public records requests regarding the legislature's response to harassment complaints and related expenditures. WKRN reports during the trial, evidence submitted to the court included two pages of notes regarding another complaint filed against state Rep. Jeremy Faison, R-Cosby, who is also chair of the Republican House Caucus. In his ruling this week, Chancellor Russell Perkins included a list of evidence submitted, including a file folder "with an alleged victim's first name ... pertaining to a complaint" against Faison. House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, released a statement following the ruling denying that any complaint exists against Faison.

This year's TBA Estate Planning & Probate Forum features a session on practical ways to avoid court in simple cases where there is no will. Expert panelists will provide instruction on how to handle real property, when you can open a small estate, when to look at the Muniment of Title statute and related concerns. Other topics examined at the forum include legislative updates, ethics, the annual clerk & master’s panel, marital deductions, public receivership and much more. This premier in-person event offers six general and one dual hours of CLE, along with the chance to meet and network with colleagues from across the state. Breakfast, lunch and free parking are included. Learn more and register here.

Due to extreme weather, the TBA Young Lawyers Division (YLD) and Tennessee Judicial Conference will hold a Bar and Bench reception on Jan. 31 at 5:30 p.m. CST in Memphis. It was previously scheduled for Jan. 18. The event is sponsored by and will take place at Morgan and Morgan, 80 Monroe Ave., Ste. 900, Memphis 38103. The reception will kick off a series of networking events across Tennessee, offering a unique opportunity for lawyers and members of the judiciary to interact in a casual atmosphere. We look forward to seeing you there!