TaxProf Blog, a leading source for news and commentary on tax law for more than 20 years, has found a new home and is being hosted exclusively by The Association of American Law Schools (AALS), National Jurist reports. Paul Caron, dean and professor at Pepperdine University Rick J. Caruso School of Law, founded the blog in 2004, but it was shut down in September due to the closure of the Typepad platform, which hosted it. AALS says the blog has been a cornerstone for law school deans, law professors and tax lawyers for decades and it is honored to bring it back and build on its legacy. AALS will maintain the blog’s archives and host new content and personal reflections from Caron and a team of editors.

Davidson County Chancellor Patricia Head Moskal has ordered the National Guard to withdraw from Memphis, saying the governor exceeded his authority to deploy the guard. "The governor may only call the militia into service in cases of rebellion or invasion and only with the General Assembly's declaration that the public safety requires it," Moskal wrote. She also rejected the Tennessee Attorney General's (AG) argument that the governor’s decision to deploy the guard is protected from judicial review. According to the Commercial Appeal, the ruling does not impact other aspects of the Memphis Safe Task Force. The temporary injunction will not take effect until after the deadline for the AG to appeal has expired, which will happen five days after the plaintiffs file the required bond. The Daily Memphian reports that the state intends to appeal the decision. The ruling comes as the state was preparing the double the number of guard troops in Memphis, the paper reports in a separate article. In related news, the Tennessee Journal reports that Republican members of the state House are considering ways to void the court’s decision.

The American Bar Association (ABA) will undertake a review of its standards for law schools as states weigh dropping the organization as an accreditor and critics blame its regulations for driving up student costs. The Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar announced the review during a meeting last week, Reuters reports. The council said the review would align accreditation standards with a set of core principles and values adopted in August. The effort is expected to take a year or more. Also at the meeting, the council’s Standards Review Committee proposed eliminating the diversity and inclusion standard, which was suspended in February. The council did not advance the proposal but sent it back to the committee for further review. In Tennessee, the state Supreme Court is seeking comments on a range of proposals affecting regulation of the profession, including law school accreditation. TBA has formed a task force to solicit feedback and advise the TBA Board of Governors on the issue.

The U.S. Supreme Court will kick off 2026 with a series of arguments in several high-profile cases, including those involving transgender athletes, gun rights and the president’s effort to remove a member of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. The court will hear seven arguments in total over five days beginning on Jan. 12 and running through Jan. 21. Read more about the cases from SCOTUSblog.

The Tennessee Alliance for Black Lawyers (TABL) and the Tennessee Bar Association Young Lawyers Division's (YLD) Diversity Committee will hold a networking mixer on Jan. 8, 2026, at Spencer Fane, 511 Union St., Ste. 1000, Nashville 37219. The free event will run from 5:30-7:30 p.m. CST and parking will be validated. Special thanks to Spencer Fane for sponsoring this event. All are welcome but an RSVP is required. See a flyer for more information.

The Memphis Bar Association's Access to Justice Committee, together with the TBA Young Lawyers Division and other organizations, are hosting a Restorative Rights & Resource Fair this Saturday, Nov. 22. Services to be offered include expungements, voter reinstatements, driver's license reinstatements and resume help. The event will take place at the Hickory Hill Community Center, 3910 Ridgeway Rd., Memphis 38115 from 9 a.m. to noon CST. Fill out this form to volunteer. See a flyer for more information.

The city of Nashville has agreed to repay $1.4 million in improper water and sewer fees after losing a lawsuit over charges that homeowners said should have been covered by the city, Fox 17 reports. The Beacon Center of Tennessee filed the class-action suit on behalf of hundreds of homeowners, including Nashville resident Peyton Pratt, who was billed $6,000 in “sewage upgrade” fees when rebuilding his home in The Nations neighborhood. Metro Nashville agreed to settle the case and issue refunds rather than contest the lawsuit in court. Beacon attorneys called the decision wise, noting that the U.S. Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled governments cannot force individuals to pay for public infrastructure. Metro’s legal department denied wrongdoing.

Franklin-based law firm Thompson Burton has acquired Brentwood-based Meridian Law, the Nashville Post reports. Details of the deal were not disclosed, but Thompson Burton Managing Partner Walt Burton said the addition of Meridian’s six legal professionals, including founder Thomas Shumate, will expand the firm’s litigation capacity across multiple practice areas. Joining the firm along with Shumate are Meridian associate attorneys Colton Adams, Katelyn Barham and Ethan Eggleston, litigation practice manager and paralegal Mikayla Joyner, and litigation paralegal Sydney Simmons. Thompson Burton partner J.K. Simms worked with Shumate to bring the Meridian team on board. “If I would have created a wish list of attorneys I would like to see join Thompson Burton, Tom would have always been at the top of that list,” Simms said.

Knox County leaders are denying claims by former interim superintendent Rodney Bivens that the Richard L. Bean Juvenile Detention Center is unsafe, saying the facility has improved significantly since the county assumed control in July. Chief Operating Officer Dwight Van de Vate told the committee overseeing the center that conditions are in “infinitely better shape” and not unsafe, though he acknowledged more improvements are needed. Bivens, who resigned Nov. 11, said in a statement that the county failed to address dozens of issues outlined in a University of Tennessee County Technical Advisory Service report and that the center “is not safe, nor is it secure.” Juvenile Court Judge Tim Irwin said he was “mystified” by Bivens’ departure and that the facility is operating well under current staff. According to Knox News, county leaders plan to ask Capt. Cory Dauer to serve as interim superintendent, while Commissioner Andy Fox said he intends to subpoena Bivens to explain his resignation.

The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) has named Jim Holcomb as its new judicial safety program manager. In the role, Holcomb will lead a coordinated, proactive strategy to protect those who serve in Tennessee’s justice system. He will serve as the primary safety liaison across state and local law enforcement, courts and state agencies, as well as oversee implementation of judicial safety policies, support education and training efforts, and monitor the effectiveness of investigative responses when security concerns arise. Holcomb previously served as a senior special agent in protective operations, investigations and training for the U.S. Secret Service. “We are excited to welcome Jim to our team and into this newly established role. His high-level background and heart for service are a great match for the safety and security needs of our judiciary,” AOC Director Michelle Long said in a press release.