A homeowner brought suit against the owner of the house next door, asserting a claim for breach of a joint driveway agreement and an alternative action for a declaratory judgment that the neighbor had abandoned the easement created by the driveway agreement. The neighbor filed counterclaims for a declaratory judgment, trespass, and an alternative claim for rescission for failure of consideration. After a trial, the trial court entered a final order determining the boundaries of the easement established by the driveway agreement; the court rejected the plaintiff’s claims for breach of the easement and abandonment as well as the defendant’s claim for trespass. On appeal, the plaintiff argues that the trial court erred in its rulings regarding the boundaries of the easement, its denial of her claims for breach of the easement and abandonment, and in its award of discretionary costs to the defendant. We find no error and affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Members of the Tennessee legal community met for the second day of the TBA Annual Convention in Knoxville today. The morning began with a Public Service Awards Breakfast featuring presentation of the Harris Gilbert Pro Bono Volunteer of the Year Award to Nashville attorney Garrah Carter-Mason, the Ashley T. Wiltshire Public Service Attorney of the Year to Jennifer Egelston with Legal Aid of East Tennessee, the Law Student of the Year Award to recent Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law graduate Sierra Sidoti, and the 2026 CASA Volunteer of the Year to Tracy Farmer with CASA of Williamson County. Tech-focused CLEs filled the programming portions of the morning followed by three Lunch & Learn sessions and the first-ever Tech Showcase. TBA's Leadership Law program kicked off its final programming of the bar year with class members hearing from Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Dwight Tarwater and Memphis lawyer and former TBA President Buck Lewis. The afternoon wrapped up with two favorite programs: the 2026 Legislative Update and a joint program with Tennessee Alliance for Black Lawyers (TABL). The day concluded with a reception at the new Smokies Stadium in downtown Knoxville. See pictures from today's events.

State Sen. Richard Briggs, R-Knoxville, and state Rep. Sam McKenzie, D-Knoxville, plan to work on changes to Tennessee's school book ban law after the local "Roots" controversy exposed problems in its application, Knox News reports. Briggs says he is concerned about the law causing confusion and wants to clarify how a local school board can step in. Tennessee's Age-Appropriate Materials Act in its current form does not outline who gets the final say, according to the paper. The legislators are reacting to a request from the Knox County Board of Education urging the state to look again at the law.

A law passed by the Tennessee General Assembly during the recent legislative session imposes a tax on international financial transfers. Months before the law is set to take effect, an association of financial technology institutions — which includes PayPal and SoFi — has filed a lawsuit that challenges its constitutionality. “This law raises taxes on Tennessee consumers, businesses, and non-profits, and contradicts recently passed federal law while also running afoul of the Foreign Commerce Clause in the U.S. Constitution,” Financial Technology Association President and CEO Penny Lee said, at the time the law was passed. The Nashville Banner reports on the suit.

Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell announced that the city is filing a new lawsuit to block the state's latest attempt to control the airport authority's board of directors. Axios Nashville reports that the Metro Nashville Airport Authority Board also voted to join the litigation. The city is citing federal law, saying the FAA will not approve a change of sponsor if the current board does not consent to the change. The city’s fight on this issue dates back to 2023, when the state first passed legislation aimed at taking over the airport board. Metro sued to stop the takeover and won, and that ruling was unanimously upheld by the Tennessee Court of Appeals. The state challenged that decision and the Tennessee Supreme Court heard the case in February. In May, Gov. Bill Lee signed new legislation giving the state authority over the Nashville and four other airport authorities.

Knoxville businessman and University of Tennessee College of Law (UT Law) graduate James Nicholas "Nic" Arning died June 3 at age 79. Arning earned his law degree from UT Law in 1974. After passing the bar, he assisted friends and clients with wills and other legal matters and occasionally served as appointed pro bono counsel for those in need. Rather than practicing law full time, Arning used his legal training to help grow his family's business, Arning Insurance Agency. The family will receive friends on June 23 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. EDT at Rose Mortuary-Mann Heritage Chapel, 6200 Kingston Pike in Knoxville, followed by a graveside service at 2 p.m. at Edgewood Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Challenger Sports, c/o Knox Youth Sports, Lakeshore Park, 5908 Lyons View Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919.

Tennessee Attorney General (AG) Jonathan Skrmetti today announced the claims process for a multi-million dollar settlement with Metropolis Technologies Inc., following an investigation into its business practices in Tennessee. According to a press release, part of the settlement included millions of dollars in restitution for Tennessee consumers who were improperly charged by the company. The claims process for restitution payments opens today, and payments are expected to be made in early 2027. Some consumers will immediately begin receiving email notices with information about filing a claim to receive payment from the restitution. Eligible consumers need to provide documentation of violations to receive payment. To be eligible for payment, one must have paid for a parking session at a Metropolis parking lot in Tennessee between July 2021 and Jan. 6, 2026; were wrongfully overcharged, ticketed or booted; and have not previously received a refund from Metropolis. The electronic claim form and more information can be found on the settlement website.

GRIFFIN, Circuit Judge. During a public comment period of a Xenia School Board meeting, plaintiff Darbi Boddy attempted to express her views regarding the school district’s alleged teaching of critical race theory. In prepared remarks, delivered in a calm and deliberate manner, Boddy took issue with the “cowardice” of the school district’s superintendent and characterized the Board as “failing.” Displeased with the speech, Board president Mary Grech threatened to turn off Boddy’s microphone. Forty seconds later, as some in the audience became disruptive in reaction to Boddy’s remarks, defendant Grech abruptly seized Boddy’s microphone and recessed the meeting. Boddy was denied her allotted five minutes of public comment, and she was not offered any additional time to address the Board when the meeting resumed. Boddy brought this action seeking vindication of her First Amendment rights. The district court denied Boddy’s motion for a preliminary injunction, ruling that she had failed to demonstrate a strong likelihood of success on the merits or irreparable harm. We disagree. Accordingly, we reverse and remand for the entry of a preliminary injunction in Boddy’s favor.

The U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals recently heard arguments in a challenge to Tennessee’s ban on the recruitment of minors to obtain out-of-state abortions without parental consent. Courthouse News reports that state attorneys argued the law does not restrict access to abortion or violate free speech rights. The plaintiffs, state Representative Aftyn Behn, D-Nashville, and abortion rights attorney Rachel Welty, sued over the law on First Amendment grounds. Two federal judges agreed with them, finding the law punished speech based on the opinion or perspective of the speaker. Read more about the appellate court proceeding.

A Carroll County jury convicted the Defendant, Bruce Allen Ivy, Jr., of rape of a child and two counts of aggravated sexual battery, and the trial court sentenced him to a total effective sentence of fifty-two years imprisonment. On appeal, the Defendant contends that the evidence is insufficient to support his convictions. After review, we affirm the trial court’s judgments.