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25 articles

Two Years, Presumed Reasonable: Tennessee's New Noncompete Framework and the $70,000 Floor

Commercial Litigation

August 7, 2026

1 min read

Two Years, Presumed Reasonable: Tennessee's New Noncompete Framework and the $70,000 Floor

On May 7, 2026, Governor Bill Lee signed House Bill 1034, enacting Tennessee Code Annotated §§ 50-1-210 and 50-1-211 — Tennessee's first noncompete statute outside healthcare. Effective July 1, 2026, the law installs rebuttable presumptions that two-year employee noncompetes are reasonable, bans noncompetes for workers earning under $70,000, and quietly shifts the burden of proof in enforcement litigation.

AI Training on Copyrighted Works: Is It Fair Use? Three 2025 Decisions Reshaping the Debate

Intellectual Property

July 25, 2026

1 min read

AI Training on Copyrighted Works: Is It Fair Use? Three 2025 Decisions Reshaping the Debate

In a remarkable ten-day span in 2025, three federal courts issued decisions squarely addressing whether training artificial intelligence on copyrighted works is fair use. Thomson Reuters v. Ross said no. Bartz v. Anthropic split the difference. Kadrey v. Meta reluctantly said yes. Together, they map the emerging fault lines — and the central role of market harm.

Patagonia v. Pattie Gonia: When an Activist Persona Becomes a Trademark Dispute

Intellectual Property

June 4, 2026

1 min read

Patagonia v. Pattie Gonia: When an Activist Persona Becomes a Trademark Dispute

Patagonia has filed a federal trademark lawsuit against the 'Pattie Gonia' drag queen persona and its corporate entity, alleging infringement of the iconic PATAGONIA mark, trademark dilution, and unfair competition. The case turns on a 2022 informal agreement, the line between protected expressive activity and commercial enterprise, and the Lanham Act's likelihood-of-confusion standard.

Tennessee Supreme Court Rules: No Prejudgment Interest in UM Personal Injury Actions — A Victory for Our Client

Commercial Litigation

May 12, 2026

1 min read

Tennessee Supreme Court Rules: No Prejudgment Interest in UM Personal Injury Actions — A Victory for Our Client

In a significant decision filed May 12, 2026, the Tennessee Supreme Court reversed the Court of Appeals in Haddon v. Vanlier, holding that prejudgment interest is unavailable in personal injury actions defended by uninsured motorist carriers. Johnson Evans & Headrick represented Auto-Owners Insurance Company and prevailed.

Responding to Holt Demands in Georgia: A Practical Guide for Insurers and Adjusters Under O.C.G.A. § 9-11-67.1

Insurance Litigation

May 11, 2026

1 min read

Responding to Holt Demands in Georgia: A Practical Guide for Insurers and Adjusters Under O.C.G.A. § 9-11-67.1

Georgia's Holt demand statute has been significantly rewritten by the 2024 amendments. This guide walks insurance companies and claims adjusters through the seven material terms, the critical safe harbor, recent appellate decisions, and the residual risks that remain outside the statute.

Intellectual Property

March 15, 2025

1 min read

Recent Changes to Trademark Law and Your Brand Protection Strategy

An overview of recent legislative changes affecting trademark registration and enforcement, and how businesses should adapt their IP strategy.

Construction Defect Claims: What Every Developer Should Know

Construction Law

February 28, 2025

1 min read

Construction Defect Claims: What Every Developer Should Know

A comprehensive guide to understanding construction defect liability, common claims, and strategies for risk management in development projects.

Copyright Recapture Rights: What Creators Need to Know

Intellectual Property

January 20, 2025

1 min read

Copyright Recapture Rights: What Creators Need to Know

An explanation of copyright termination rights and how creators can reclaim ownership of their works after certain transfer periods.

MDL Litigation Strategy: Defense in Multi-District Litigation

Commercial Litigation

December 10, 2024

1 min read

MDL Litigation Strategy: Defense in Multi-District Litigation

Strategic insights for defendants navigating multi-district litigation, including case management, discovery, and settlement considerations.

Film & Television: Chain of Title and Option Agreements Explained

Entertainment & Media

November 5, 2024

1 min read

Film & Television: Chain of Title and Option Agreements Explained

Everything producers and studios need to know about establishing proper chain of title and negotiating option agreements for film and TV projects.

Employment Litigation Updates: What Employers Should Know in 2025

Commercial Litigation

September 30, 2024

1 min read

Employment Litigation Updates: What Employers Should Know in 2025

A summary of recent employment law developments affecting workplace policies, hiring practices, and dispute resolution.

AI-Generated Content and Copyright: Ownership and Infringement Issues

Intellectual Property

April 2, 2026

1 min read

AI-Generated Content and Copyright: Ownership and Infringement Issues

Exploring the complex legal landscape of AI-generated content, copyright ownership, training data liability, and strategies for protecting your IP in the age of generative AI.

Patent Protection for AI and Machine Learning Innovations

Intellectual Property

March 15, 2026

1 min read

Patent Protection for AI and Machine Learning Innovations

How to secure patent protection for AI and machine learning inventions, challenges in patenting AI, and strategies for building a valuable AI patent portfolio.

Proving Negligence in Catastrophic Trucking Accident Cases

Personal Injury

April 10, 2026

1 min read

Proving Negligence in Catastrophic Trucking Accident Cases

A deep-dive into the federal regulatory framework, common liability theories, and evidentiary strategies that determine outcomes in large commercial vehicle crash litigation.

Wrongful Death Claims Under Tennessee Law: Who Can Sue, What Can Be Recovered, and How to Maximize Recovery

Wrongful Death

March 5, 2026

1 min read

Wrongful Death Claims Under Tennessee Law: Who Can Sue, What Can Be Recovered, and How to Maximize Recovery

An in-depth analysis of Tennessee wrongful death statutes, the rights of surviving family members, recoverable damages, and the interplay with medical malpractice and product liability claims.

Trade Secret Misappropriation After the DTSA: Federal Claims, Injunctive Relief, and Exemplary Damages

Business & Intellectual Property

February 14, 2026

1 min read

Trade Secret Misappropriation After the DTSA: Federal Claims, Injunctive Relief, and Exemplary Damages

A practitioner guide to the Defend Trade Secrets Act, how it interacts with state law under the TUTSA, and strategies for obtaining emergency injunctive relief when a competitor steals your most valuable confidential information.

Insurance Bad Faith Litigation in Tennessee: Recognizing and Pursuing Claims Under T.C.A. § 56-7-105

Insurance Litigation

January 22, 2026

1 min read

Insurance Bad Faith Litigation in Tennessee: Recognizing and Pursuing Claims Under T.C.A. § 56-7-105

A detailed guide to Tennessee bad faith insurance claims — the statutory 25% penalty, common law bad faith, and how insurers routinely fail their duty to defend, triggering significant liability.

Equity Structures for Startups: Founders' Shares, Options, and SAFEs Explained

Business & Startups

April 10, 2026

1 min read

Equity Structures for Startups: Founders' Shares, Options, and SAFEs Explained

Choosing the right equity structure is one of the most consequential decisions a founder makes. This guide breaks down the primary instruments — common stock, preferred stock, stock options, and SAFEs — and explains when each is appropriate.

Founder Agreements: What Every Co-Founder Relationship Needs in Writing

Business & Startups

April 7, 2026

1 min read

Founder Agreements: What Every Co-Founder Relationship Needs in Writing

Most startup failures stem not from bad markets but from broken co-founder relationships. A well-drafted founders' agreement — covering equity, roles, decision-making, and departure — is the foundation every company needs.

Protecting Your Startup's Trade Secrets in a Remote-First World

Business & Startups

April 3, 2026

1 min read

Protecting Your Startup's Trade Secrets in a Remote-First World

Remote work has dissolved the physical perimeters that once helped protect proprietary information. Startups must now rely on properly drafted NDAs, CIIA agreements, and trade secret policies to protect their competitive advantages.

Tennessee Mechanics Lien Law: A Contractor's and Subcontractor's Complete Guide

Construction Law

May 10, 2026

1 min read

Tennessee Mechanics Lien Law: A Contractor's and Subcontractor's Complete Guide

Contractors in Tennessee—understand the mechanics lien law with our complete guide. Don't risk losing your rights over missed deadlines! Learn Tennessee's lien statute, Notice of Nonpayment requirements, and critical filing deadlines.

How Long Does Copyright Last? A Practical Guide to U.S. Copyright Duration

Intellectual Property

May 16, 2026

1 min read

How Long Does Copyright Last? A Practical Guide to U.S. Copyright Duration

Copyright duration in the United States is governed by a patchwork of rules that depend on when a work was created, whether it was published, and whether renewal formalities were met. This guide walks through every major category — from pre-1923 public domain works to life-plus-70 protection for contemporary authors — and includes an interactive calculator.

Artificial Intelligence, Attorney Ethics, and Copyright: Navigating the New Era

Intellectual Property

June 9, 2026

1 min read

Artificial Intelligence, Attorney Ethics, and Copyright: Navigating the New Era

AI tools are reshaping the legal profession — from research and drafting to client communication. This article examines what the rapid adoption of AI means for attorney competence obligations, professional responsibility, and copyright law, drawing on formal ethics opinions, real case studies, and the evolving regulatory landscape.

Tennessee's Commercial Construction Defect Notice and Cure Statute: Requirements Under T.C.A. § 66-36-101 et seq.

Construction Law

June 9, 2026

1 min read

Tennessee's Commercial Construction Defect Notice and Cure Statute: Requirements Under T.C.A. § 66-36-101 et seq.

Before a claimant can file suit for commercial construction defects in Tennessee, the law requires a structured notice-and-cure process. This article walks through the definitions, pre-suit obligations, inspection rights, response deadlines, and statute-of-limitations tolling under T.C.A. § 66-36-101 through § 66-36-103.

Voices in Peril: U.S. Law and the Rise of Deepfakes

Entertainment & Media

April 13, 2026

1 min read

Voices in Peril: U.S. Law and the Rise of Deepfakes

How the Tennessee ELVIS Act, the Lanham Act, and landmark right-of-publicity cases like Midler v. Ford protect artists from AI voice cloning and deepfakes — and what creators need to know in 2024.

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