Applications are now being accepted for the Legal Services Corporation’s (LSC) Basic Field Grant Program. Funds will be award in December for programs that begin in January 2026. Funds may be used to provide civil legal services to eligible clients. Learn more in the LSC’s request for proposals. The deadline for submitting applications is June 2. More information about eligibility guidelines is available on the LSC website.

Metro Nashville government this week released the breakdown of legal settlements paid in 2024, which totaled $4.2 million, a decrease from 2023. The Tennessean reports that all of the settlements were approved by either the Metro Nashville Council or the Metro Nashville Public Schools Board. Combined, the two groups approved 52 settlements in 2024; 40 of them — for a total of $2,854,408 — were approved through the council. Nineteen of the lawsuits were personal injury-related, 12 were for property damage, seven were Title IX-related, five were sidewalk settlements and the remaining nine were categorized as "other/negligence."

An investiture ceremony and reception for U.S. Magistrate Judge Mike Dumitru will take place June 13. The ceremony will be held at the federal courthouse in Chattanooga, followed by a reception at Chattanooga Whiskey. More details coming soon. Dimitru joined the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee in a private swearing in ceremony in January after serving as a Hamilton County circuit court judge.

Former State Rep. Jeremy Durham has been found guilty on two counts of driving under the influence and one count each of reckless endangerment, resisting arrest and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. He was found not guilty on a charge of felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The Tennessean reports that he faces up to six years in prison. Durham was expelled from the legislature after an investigation revealed he sent inappropriate text messages to several women. The Tennessee Attorney General's Office ultimately discovered that Durham had made lewd comments and had given inappropriate hugs to 22 women.

U.S. District Court Judge Eli Richardson ruled Wednesday that a mistake from the prosecution, which allowed unredacted evidence to enter the trial of Glen Casada and Cade Cothren, did not rise to the level of requiring a mistrial. Cothren’s attorney motioned for a mistrial Tuesday, citing a recording of the FBI’s interview with Casada from the day his home was raided, which was played in court. The recording contained information that was prejudicial, according to the defense. The Tennessean has more on the case.

Recently released court records show that the 17-year-old Antioch High shooter had been on probation for previous violent behaviors at the time of the Jan. 22 fatal shooting at the school, the Nashville Post reports. The records also show that the teen had been ordered to a judicial diversion program and had signed probation paperwork the morning of the shooting, prohibiting him from possessing guns, ammunition and other weapons. The records became publicly available due to legislation passed by the General Assembly earlier this year. The new law allows courts to unseal records of a juvenile who is dead after committing homicide on school grounds.

Several Memphis officials have responded to the not guilty verdict in the state trial of three former Memphis police officers for the death of Tyre Nichols. According to the Daily Memphian, Memphis Mayor Paul Young and Police Chief C.J. Davis released a statement encouraging the city to “heal together.” Young also added: “As a city, we’re committed to doing the work of creating a deeper trust between law enforcement and the people of Memphis.” State Democratic lawmakers from Memphis expressed “devastation” following the verdict, according to Tennessee Lookout. House Democratic Leader Karen Camper said the verdict leaves a “deep wound in our community and renewed calls for justice and accountability.” Sen. Brent Taylor, a Republican, said he was "saddened for Tyre Nichols’ family" and that "they deserve justice." Local Memphis has his and other reactions, including from the Shelby County mayor and U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Memphis. National civil rights leaders also have weighed in with responses, including calls for criminal justice reforms. The Associated Press looks at those comments. Finally, the Commercial Appeal lays out what comes next, including sentencing in the federal case and a $550 million civil suit against the city and police department.

Defendant, Thomas Mack Arnold, appeals as of right from his conviction for first degree premeditated murder, for which he is serving a life sentence. On appeal, Defendant contends that the evidence is insufficient to support his conviction and that the prosecutor made improper statements during the State’s rebuttal argument such that a mistrial was necessary. After a thorough review of the evidence and applicable case law, we affirm.

A kennel technician filed a personal injury action against the owners of two dogs, asserting a claim under the statute governing dog owners’ liability for injuries caused by their dogs and a claim for common law negligence. The technician alleged that the dogs attacked and injured her while they were boarded at her place of employment. The trial court granted summary judgment to the dog owners on both claims. We affirm the trial court’s decision to grant summary judgment on the statutory claim, but we reverse the court’s decision to grant summary judgment on the common law negligence claim.

DAVIS, Circuit Judge. Debra Tucker is a prevailing social security claimant whose attorney appeals the district court’s order awarding reduced attorney’s fees under 42 U.S.C. § 406(b). Tucker’s counsel1 argues that the full requested amount of $31,205.43, which would honor Counsel’s twenty-five percent contingency fee agreement with Tucker, was reasonable for the services provided. Because the district court acted within its discretion in decreasing the fee, we AFFIRM.