Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel, P.C.

Tennessee's "Guns in Parking Lots" bill was signed into law by Governor Bill Haslam on March 14 of this year. The law states that "the holder of a valid handgun carry permit recognized in Tennessee may transport and store a…more

On May 22, 2013, the Tennessee General Assembly’s joint committee on government operations approved Tennessee’s first rules regulating the use of hydraulic fracturing to extract oil and natural gas from wells…more

On April 1, 2013, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit overturned an $11.1 million False Claims Act (FCA) judgment by the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee against MedQuest Associates, Inc., a…more

The Tennessee Supreme Court recently upheld a lower court’s decision to enforce a contract between a husband and wife to execute wills providing for all of their children and to refrain from changing their wills after the death…more

On April 8, 2013, the Tennessee House of Representatives passed Senate Joint Resolution 1 by a vote of 80-8, giving final approval to a proposed constitutional amendment to ban a state income tax in Tennessee on payroll and…more

Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam signed a bill on March 14, 2013, that allows handgun carry permit holders to transport and store firearms and ammunition anywhere in their vehicles, with certain restrictions. The new law is…more

On March 8, 2013, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) issued a newly revised Form I-9 for use by employers. Employers should immediately begin using the revised form, although they may continue using…more

On January 2, 2013, President Obama signed into law the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012. This Act permanently sets the federal estate and gift tax exemption at $5 million per person ($10 million per couple), adjusted…more

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division has issued a Final Rule implementing recent Family and Medical Leave Act amendments expanding the leave which employers must provide to military family members. The Final…more

The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 was signed into law on January 2, 2013. The Act permanently extends many of the Bush-era tax cuts, while increasing tax rates for higher income taxpayers. Below is a brief summary of the…more

As we advised previously, on September 16, 2011, the President signed the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act, the most comprehensive overhaul of the U.S. patent system in more than 60 years. Most of the changes required by the Act…more

Effectively managing conflicts has become even more important for nonprofit organizations. Under state law it has historically been necessary for directors and officers to address conflict issues to fulfill their fiduciary…more

A recent report by the Government Accountability Office revealed that information obtained by states about applicant eligibility for Medicaid long-term care varied widely from state to state and might not be sufficient to…more