On April 13, the Tennessee Supreme Court temporarily suspended Putnam County lawyer James Nathan Hargis from the practice of law. The court took the action after finding that Hargis misappropriated client and third-party funds and poses a threat of substantial harm to the public. He immediately is precluded from accepting new cases and must cease representing existing clients by May 13. The suspension will remain in effect until dissolution or modification by the court.

The Tennessee Supreme Court has upheld permanent disbarment of Knox County attorney Elliott J. Schuchardt. Beginning in 2019, the Board of Professional Responsibility (BPR) received complaints of professional misconduct by Schuchardt, including failure to comply with local rules and submission of legally deficient filings. The BPR also found that Schuchardt refused to provide a former client with his file and made threats to members of the legal community and the disciplinary counsel. It  recommended disbarment. Schuchardt appealed to the Knox County Chancery Court, which affirmed the recommendation. Schuchardt then appealed to the Tennessee Supreme Court, challenging the constitutionality of Tennessee’s attorney-discipline system and the evidence supporting his disbarment. The court rejected the challenge, concluding that the lower court decisions were supported by substantial evidence. Schuchardt's actions were determined to violate Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1, 1.3, 1.4(a)-(b), 1.5(b), 1.7(a)(1), 1.16(d), 3.2, 3.3(a)(1), 3.4(c), 4.2, 4.4(a)(1), 8.1(a), 8.2(a), 8.4(c) and 8.4(d). Read more in a press release or the opinion from the court.

The Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) has approved a bylaws change allowing middle and high school student-athletes to transfer schools once without a bona fide change of address and remain immediately eligible, aligning with a new state law signed by Gov. Bill Lee. According to Knox News, the TSSAA Legislative Council voted unanimously April 14 to adopt the rule, which takes effect July 1 and permits one transfer between school years, provided students meet other eligibility requirements, including age and recruiting rules. The change shifts from longstanding policy requiring athletes to sit out a year after transferring without a change of address, though restrictions remain in place for additional transfers and midyear moves unless a hardship waiver applies.

Winners of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee's eighth annual Civics Essay Contest will be honored at a ceremony April 30 at 4:30 p.m. EDT at the Joel W. Solomon U.S. Courthouse in Chattanooga. According to Chattanoogan.com, high school division winners are Victoria Matthews (first place), Eshanth Eriki (second place) and Lucy Finch (third place), while middle school winners are Alex Bright (first place), Ethan McKenzie (second place) and Mia Litchford (third place). All winners will receive cash prizes. The contest, open to public and students in 17 East Tennessee counties and three counties in North Georgia, is co-sponsored by the court’s Chattanooga Civics and Outreach Subcommittee and the Chattanooga Chapter of the Federal Bar Association. This year’s prompt asked whether the Fourth Amendment protects a cell phone user’s location data, an issue expected to be addressed by the U.S. Supreme Court. For more information, visit the court's website. 

Tennessee will receive a higher level of disaster relief for Winter Storm Fern, with individual cash assistance approved for 29 counties, WPLN reports. Storm survivors in Benton, Carroll, Cheatham, Chester, Clay, Davidson, Decatur, Dickson, Dyer, Fayette, Hardeman, Hardin, Henderson, Hickman, Lewis, Macon, Madison, Maury, McNairy, Montgomery, Perry, Robertson, Rutherford, Shelby, Sumner, Trousdale, Wayne, Williamson and Wilson counties now can apply for aid. Assistance may be used for disaster-related expenses such as temporary housing, home repairs, replacement of belongings and other needs. Applications are available at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362.

Memphis attorney Lawrence E. Baer died at age 80 on April 12. Baer graduated from Memphis State University and went on to earn his law degree from Memphis State University School of Law. In 1971, he began practicing law at the Baer Law Firm, the family practice founded by his father, the late Isadore Baer. He focused his practice on landlord-tenant law and frequently spoke on related issues for community and professional organizations. Baer was a member of the Memphis and Shelby County Bar Association, the Tennessee Bar Association, the American Association for Justice and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America. Funeral services were held at Temple Israel Cemetery on April 14. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or the charity of the donor's choice.

Detroit-based law firm Dickinson Wright will relocate its Nashville operations from downtown to 5 City on Nashville’s West Side at 5 City Blvd., the Nashville Post reports. The firm has signed a lease for space in the 15-story high-rise that anchors the district. A total of 26 professionals, including 16 attorneys, will work from the Nashville office. Dickinson Wright established its presence in Nashville in 2009 through a merger with Stewart, Estes & Donnell.

Several bills have passed both the state House of Representatives and Senate and are now awaiting Gov. Bill Lee’s decision to sign them into law. They include HB1704/SB1779, which would make it a state crime to remain in the U.S. at least 90 days after a final deportation order is entered. The Nashville Banner reports on that measure. HB1484/SB146 would require the Shelby County district attorney to notify officials if certain “serious” cases arising from the federal task force in Memphis result in pleas, lowered charges or dismissals. States Newsroom reports on that bill. Finally, SB1741/HB1476, known as the Charlie Kirk Act, would require educational institutions to adopt policies affirming they will protect free speech and will not deny speakers or organizations from holding events on campus for political reasons. WDEF has more on that one.

Gov. Bill Lee last week signed legislation to limit lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of new state laws. HB1971 repeals a provision the legislature passed eight years ago that allowed Tennesseans to challenge the constitutionality of new state laws before they suffer any harm. The Tennessean reports that Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti — whose office defends new laws in court — requested lawmakers repeal the measure and reinstate barriers removed in 2018. The change now requires challengers to prove actual damage had been done to have standing to sue. Read past coverage of the measure.

The TBA International Law Section's annual forum will provide an overview of the trade and investment landscape as it concerns Tennessee in 2026 and beyond. Programming will focus on Tennessee's foreign direct investment, global health perspectives and partnerships, international financing, global sales and supply chains, and more. Participants will have the opportunity for direct interactive discussions with speakers, and the chance to network, learn about best practices and chart a path to increase capacity for internationalization. Make plans now to join colleagues on May 29 in the TBA's newly renovated CLE classroom. Get more information and register here.