An executive order signed April 23 by President Donald Trump directs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to assess whether to suspend or terminate the American Bar Association (ABA) as the government’s official law school accreditor. The order claims that some accreditors engage in “discriminatory practices” by using “diversity, equity and inclusion … standards of accreditation.” It also states that such standards and “similar unlawful mandates must be permanently eradicated.” In addition, the order directs the attorney general and education secretary to “investigate and take appropriate action to terminate unlawful discrimination by American law schools” that is taken “under the guise of accreditation standards.” The move comes after U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi directed the ABA earlier this spring to immediately repeal its law school diversity rule and scrap a planned revision of the standard. That letter also stated that the government could revoke the group’s accreditation status. According to reporting by Reuters, removing the ABA from its accreditation role — which it has held since 1952 — could impact student loans, lawyer licensing and attorney mobility.

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The U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee has announced its intention to amend the local rules of court effective May 15. Comments on the proposed changes are being accepted and should be emailed to localrules@tnmd.uscourts.gov by 5 p.m. CDT on May 1. The court says it will consider any comments received and make further amendments or orders as necessary. View the proposed changes in both a clean and redline version.

SUTTON, Chief Judge. Police pulled over Prince Irell Seuell and discovered drugs, a semiautomatic pistol, and an outstanding warrant. Seuell pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm as a felon. In this appeal, he challenges his conviction and 70-month sentence. We affirm.

Petitioner, Ashley Nicole Thomas, appeals the denial of her post-conviction petition, in which she challenged her multiple convictions related to the sexual abuse of a child and her effective forty-year sentence. On appeal, Petitioner maintains that her trial counsel was ineffective. Upon review, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.

The Petitioner, Michael Terrell McKissack, appeals the Davidson County Criminal Court’s denial of his petition for a writ of error coram nobis, claiming that a codefendant’s recanted testimony constitutes newly discovered evidence. Based on our review, we affirm the coram nobis court’s denial of the petition.

A Madison County jury convicted Defendant, Tyrone McCurdy, of multiple counts of vandalism and theft, and the trial court imposed an effective sentence of twenty-two years to be served in confinement as a persistent offender. On appeal, Defendant contends that the evidence was insufficient to sustain his convictions. After review, we affirm the judgments of the trial court.

In the Circuit Court for Sevier County (“the Trial Court”), William R. Smith and Judy M. Smith (collectively, “Plaintiffs”) filed a complaint to enforce a contract for the sale of land owned by Keith Prater and Janet Prater (collectively, “Defendants”). Defendants filed a motion to dismiss, arguing that Plaintiff lacked standing because Defendants had entered into the contract with Plaintiffs’ limited liability company, “R & J 44, LLC” (“the LLC”), rather than Plaintiffs themselves. Plaintiffs filed a motion seeking permission to file a second amended complaint to clarify that they were suing both individually and in their capacities as members of the LLC. The Trial Court denied Plaintiffs’ motion, finding undue delay in amending the complaint, and granted Defendants’ motion to dismiss. Discerning no reversible error, we affirm.

This case involves a dispute between a property owner and her homeowners’ association. Appellant’s property is governed by the homeowner’s association’s covenants, conditions, and restrictions. There are two improvements to appellant’s property, a main house and a carriage house, both of which were originally roofed with vintage concrete tiles. Appellant replaced the roof on the carriage house with asphalt shingles, but did not replace the roof on the main house. Rather, appellant had the main house roof cleaned, which resulted in a lighter appearance. The homeowners’ association demanded that appellant replace the main house roof with shingles to match the carriage house. Appellant refused and filed an action for declaratory judgment and injunction. The association filed a counter-complaint alleging that appellant was in breach of certain provisions of the covenants, conditions, and restrictions. The parties filed cross-motions for summary judgment. The trial court dismissed appellant’s declaratory judgment action on its finding that it lacked subject- matter jurisdiction because appellant failed to join all necessary parties. The trial court granted the homeowners’ association’s motion for summary judgment on its counter- complaint and awarded attorney’s fees. Because the trial court’s order does not adequately explain its reasons for dismissing appellant’s declaratory judgment action, we cannot conduct a meaningful review of that holding, and we vacate the trial court’s dismissal of appellant’s complaint. There are disputes of material fact that preclude the grant of summary judgment. Accordingly, we reverse the trial court’s grant of summary judgment and its award of attorney’s fees to the homeowner’s association.

Register by April 30 for TBA's Annual Convention in Franklin, June 11-14, to take advantage of Early Bird pricing! Rates will go up on May 1. The Franklin Marriott Cool Springs has special room rates for convention attendees, so be sure to make those reservations by May 19. Act today so you don't miss out on these discounts!