The Tennessee House of Representatives on Monday passed HB0064/SB0472, which would require any educational institutions housing minors overnight to segregate restrooms, changing areas and showers “by immutable biological sex.” Bill sponsor Rep. Gino Bulso, R-Brentwood, told the Nashville Post that the bill aims to protect young girls in Tennessee. The bill passed 74-18 without debate after Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland, made a prevailing motion to put it to an immediate vote. Dahron Johnson, co-chair of the Tennessee Equality Project Nashville, told the Nashville Post that the group is concerned about the bill's vague language and potential for overreach. The Senate Education Committee passed its version of the bill last week. The full Senate is expected to consider the bill on March 20.

The TBA Intellectual Property Section will host its April installment of the IP webcast series on April 10 from 11 a.m. to noon CDT. The webcast will offer a comprehensive overview of the legal and business considerations surrounding influencer marketing, covering topics such as influencer classifications, FTC compliance requirements, influencer agreements and brand protection strategies. Real-world case studies will be used to illustrate common legal pitfalls such as liability for misleading endorsements and intellectual property infringement. Finally, the program will emphasize the importance of drafting clear contracts and monitoring protocols, and will provide practical drafting tips to mitigate reputational and regulatory risks. Intellectual Property Section members save on registration costs. Not a member? Join now!

On April 25, the TBA Attorney Well Being Committee will host a free mindfulness-based emotional intelligence seminar at the Nashville office of Barnes & Thornburg. The event will start with a networking lunch followed by a two-hour presentation by CEO of SIY Global Ryan Heinl. Tailored specifically for legal professionals, the seminar will explore practical techniques that can enhance professional effectiveness through mindfulness, stress management and effective communication. While the event is free to attend, two hours of dual CLE is available for a $125 processing fee. Lunch is provided.

TBA General, Solo & Small Firm Section members are invited to a section networking happy hour event at East Nashville Beer Works on April 22 from 5-7 p.m. CDT. Have a drink (or two) on the TBA and meet fellow section members! Please RSVP here if possible, as it helps us track the expected number of guests. We hope to see you there!

Thank you Emma Elliott with Peregrine Law for sponsoring this event!

The TBA Young Lawyers Division (YLD) and its Mock Trial Committee will hold the 2025 Tennessee State High School Mock Trial Competition this week in Nashville. On Friday and Saturday, 16 teams will meet in a bid to be this year's state champion. Participating schools are: Agathos Classical School in Columbia, Central Magnet School in Murfreesboro, Clarksville High School, Cookeville High School, two teams from Chattanooga Southeast Home Education Association, Elizabethton High School, Harpeth Hall School in Nashville, Jefferson County High School in Dandridge, Lausanne Collegiate School in Memphis, Maryville High School, Memphis University School, Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville, Sevier County High School in Sevierville, St. Mary's Episcopal School in Memphis, and University School of Nashville. Students will present their best arguments in Lee Jasper v Reece Witherfork, a civil case centered around a rodeo. This year's competition also will feature the first Artist in the Courtroom Contest. Tennessee's team winner and first place artist then will have the opportunity to represent the state at the National High School Mock Trial Competition in Phoenix, Arizona, May 7-10. The Mock Trial Committee is led by Chair Ashley Tipton, Vice Chair Michael Holmes and Long Range Planning Coordinator Zack Walden. The state competition caps off the district competition process. This year, students from 110 teams competed at nine regional events.

The Appalachian Public Interest and Environmental Law (APIEL) Conference is an annual gathering of lawyers, scientists, students and members of the general public to discuss environmental issues and happenings in Appalachia, public policy and grassroots initiatives. The 16th annual event will be held Oct. 25-26 at the University of Tennessee College of Law. The conference is accepting proposals until May 1 for presentations, panels, workshops and discussions that address critical issues in environmental law and justice. Contact conference organizers Samantha Brooks or Sydney Ross with questions.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced last week that more relief money will be on its way to East Tennessee by March 21. The funds are a part of a more than $100 billion aid package that Congress passed in late December 2024. The American Relief Act was signed into law by former President Joe Biden and offered a 90-day deadline for funds to be dispersed. The act allocates $8 billion to rebuild damaged roads and highways, $12 billion in grants to help communities and individuals recover and $2.2 billion in low-interest loans for businesses, nonprofits and homeowners; aids farmers and ranchers; and gives the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) $29 million to help to pay for temporary housing, home repairs, medical expenses or other disaster-related needs. Knox News has the story.

Tennessee Attorney General (AG) Jonathan Skrmetti has announced that a bipartisan coalition of states has reached a final settlement — pending court approval — in a lawsuit against the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA), which will end the NCAA’s NIL (name, image and likeness) recruiting ban. Skrmetti and Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, along with the Florida, District of Columbia and New York attorneys general, filed a federal lawsuit against the NCAA in January 2024, alleging that the NIL recruiting ban created anticompetitive restrictions that violate federal antitrust law and harm current and future student-athletes. Read more a press release from the AG's office.

The appellant filed a civil summons in the general sessions court, asserting that items she had pawned at one of the appellee’s locations were returned to her damaged. After the appellant failed to appear at the initial hearing, the matter was dismissed. The appellant appealed the dismissal to the circuit court, which found that the appeal was not timely filed and dismissed the appeal. On appeal in this Court, we have determined that the appellant’s brief is deficient under Tennessee Rule of Appellate Procedure 27 and dismiss the appeal.

In this case involving termination of the mother’s parental rights to her daughter, the trial court found that three statutory grounds for termination had been proven by clear and convincing evidence. The trial court further found that clear and convincing evidence demonstrated that termination of the mother’s parental rights was in the child’s best interest. The mother has appealed. Discerning no reversible error, we affirm the trial court’s judgment.