The TBA Family Law Section will host a webcast on Oct. 14 on how to use artificial intelligence (AI) in a trial practice. The one-hour program will run from noon to 1 p.m. CDT and explore practical applications of AI tools in a family law trial practice, from pre-trial preparation to courtroom presentation. One hour of dual credit is available. Learn more or register online.

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti has announced that the state will not challenge a court ruling allowing a gun referendum to appear on Memphis' Nov. 5 ballot, the Daily Memphian reports. A Shelby County chancellor ruled on Sept. 11 that three gun safety measures, including restrictions on carrying handguns without a valid permit, could go before voters.  Skrmetti expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of the referendum, stating, "These ballot questions are a fraud on the voters of Memphis," but said the state would respect the court's ruling and not file an emergency appeal. Memphis city council members previously had filed suit against the Shelby County Election Commission to secure the referendum's place on the ballot.

A federal judge has temporarily blocked Tennessee's law prohibiting adults from assisting minors in obtaining an abortion without parental consent, citing First Amendment concerns and the law's vagueness. The Associated Press reports that U.S. District Judge Aleta Trauger ruled Friday that the state cannot criminalize free communication about legal abortion options, stating that the freedom of speech guaranteed by the First Amendment “is a protection available to everyone.” The law, which took effect July 1, penalizes adults for "recruiting, harboring or transporting" minors for an abortion. The law was challenged by state Rep. Aftyn Behn, D-Nashville, and Nashville attorney Rachel Welty.

Tennessee lawmakers will revisit wetland protection regulations in a summer study session next week. The original bill, proposed by state Rep. Kevin Vaughn, R-Collierville, sought to reduce state oversight on nearly half a million acres of wetlands and give developers and landowners a break from needing state permission to build on or fill in low-quality wetlands and up to four acres of “moderate” quality wetlands, according to Moore County News. Vaughn's legislation focused on isolated wetlands, those with no direct connection to rivers or lakes, which comprise nearly half of Tennessee's wetlands. In the months since the bill was sent to a study committee, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation has held meetings with builders, environmental groups, lawmakers and state agencies in an effort to achieve consensus on how to regulate wetlands. Last week, the department issued a report recommending a number of changes.

A Missouri woman charged in an attempted Graceland foreclosure scheme will remain in custody after she waived her right to a detention hearing, the Commercial Appeal reports. Lisa Jeanine Findley waived the hearing during a court appearance in Memphis on Friday before U.S. District Court Judge Annie T. Christoff. Findley was arrested on charges of mail fraud and aggravated identity theft related to an alleged scheme to foreclose on Elvis Presley's estate Graceland. She previously pleaded "not guilty" to the charges. Prosecutors allege that Findley created a fake lending company, Naussany Investments, and used forged documents to claim Lisa Marie Presley took out a loan on the property that went unpaid. The paper also reports that Findley previous served sentences for other fraud-related offenses.

Members of the TBA Young Lawyer Division (YLD) visited Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) Duncan School of Law in Knoxville today. The event took place in conjunction with an Hispanic Law Student Association event. YLD District 3 Representative Mari Jasa, a graduate of the TBA Diversity Leadership Institute (DLI) program, met with students and encouraged them to take advantage of that program and others at the TBA while law students. Amanda Reyes, president of the Hispanic Law group and a member of last year's DLI class, concurred with Jasa and encouraged her LMU Law peers to apply for the DLI program. The 2025 class application is available and due Nov. 3. See photos from the day.

Judge Jennifer Nichols was officially sworn in as the circuit court judge for Tennessee's 18th Judicial District on Aug. 22, following her appointment by Gov. Bill Lee on July 9. With a diverse legal background that includes civil law practice, experience as in-house counsel for the Postal Service and a range of criminal cases, Nichols brings a unique perspective to her hybrid role, which encompasses responsibilities in criminal, civil and family law, according to a press release from the Administrative Office of the Courts. She earned her law degree from Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law. “Of the four trial judges here, I’m the only one that’s a hybrid. We have one criminal court judge, one chancellor and one circuit court judge for now, and I’ll be handling all three,” Nichols said.

U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles, a Republican from Columbia, recently submitted several financial disclosure reports, including his overdue 2023 filing. According to The Nashville Banner, the amended disclosures reveal a previously undisclosed line of credit valued between $500,000 and $1 million, as well as a joint bank account at First Horizon, valued between $50,000 and $100,000. These reports follow inquiries from campaign finance watchdogs regarding his ability to loan over $300,000 to his campaign. Ogles also reported a reduction in the value of his retirement savings and disclosed an additional investment property worth between $500,000 and $1 million. His phone was recently seized by federal investigators, and Ogles has stated he believes the inquiry is politically motivated and expressed confidence that the discrepancies in his financial reporting were based on honest mistake.

The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday passed the "End Woke Higher Education Act," which would limit public colleges from imposing “time, place or manner” restrictions on expressive activities in an aim to protect First Amendment rights, according to Inside Higher Ed News. If approved by the Senate, the bill would require private colleges to annually disclose their speech policies to students, faculty and the Education Department, while both public and private institutions would have to allow single-sex social organizations. The White House criticized the legislation, stating it could overstep Congress's traditional role in higher education and impose confusing new mandates. The statement expressed concern that the bill could further hinder efforts to create diverse and inclusive college environments, according to the report. 

WPLN’s podcast “This Is Nashville” features a new episode showcasing the civic engagement of young people in Middle Tennessee. The episode features interviews with high school students who are actively involved in community improvement efforts. These students discuss their experiences learning about government operations, advocating for their schools and neighborhoods, and collaborating with local officials. Listen to the podcast episode here.