Stay current with legal news in Tennessee. This page features the latest news for and about the Tennessee legal community, either produced by the Tennessee Bar Association or collected from news sources.
Knox County lawyer C. Coulter “Bud” Gilbert received a public censure from the Board of Professional Responsibility on July 20 for practicing law for two months while his license was suspended for CLE noncompliance. Also, today, the board released notice that Memphis lawyer Michelle L. Betserai was suspended from the practice of law on July 18 for failing to diligently represent clients, failing to file pleadings in a timely manner, making misrepresentations during testimony as an expert witness, and abandoning her law practice. In addition to imposing the suspension, the Supreme Court ordered her to pay restitution to four clients.
The Supreme Court of Tennessee issued an order on July 19 removing Shelby County lawyer William T. Maxwell Jr. from disability inactive status. Download the BPR notice
Two Tennessee-licensed attorneys received public censures from the Board of Professional Responsibility (BPR) on July 19. Marshall County lawyer Thomas Andre Davidson was censured for mishandling the estate of a client. Among his actions, Davidson failed to review a prenuptial agreement and failed to disclose a third codicil to the will – even informing the client’s wife that the codicil had been revoked. In addition, Crossville attorney Margaret Jane Powers was censured for endorsing a client’s name on a check and depositing the money in her account. In handling a client’s divorce, Powers received a check made out to the client from the opposing party. She asked the client if she could apply the check to the outstanding bill owed. When the client refused, Powers held the check for 18 months, and then asked the client again. When the client did not respond, Powers deposited the check, though she later refunded the money.
News from the Tennessee Bar Journal Editorial Board
Two Tennessee Bar Association programs were named the best in the state by the Tennessee Society of Association Executives (TNSAE) at a luncheon and award ceremony in Nashville July 20. The Tennessee Bar Journal -– the TBA’s flagship publication -- was named best magazine for the third time. In addition, the TBA Young Lawyers Division was recognized for its Judicial Internship Program, which matches Tennessee law students with trial judges across the state for summer internships. TBA Executive Director Allan Ramsaur was on hand to accept the awards.
Gayle Moyer Harris was named the 2012 Anne T. Rutherford Award Winner by Franklin Tomorrow for more than 30 years of community service, first as a county commissioner, then with Williamson County Economic Development and Leadership Franklin, and then for her work founding the 21st Judicial District Drug Task Force. The nomination came from Judge Tim Easter, who wrote that Harris “possesses the heart of a servant.” Read more in the Columbia Daily Herald
Local and state dignitaries gathered at the Sevierville Community Center this week to mark the 30th anniversary of the building of the facility. Among those in attendance was Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Gary Wade, who was a driving force in obtaining funding to build the center. In honor of his support, the street in front of the center was named Gary Wade Boulevard. The Sevier County News reports
In response to the Supreme Court’s recent decision on Arizona’s “show me your papers” law, the ACLU of Tennessee has launched an initiative designed to help immigrants understand their rights in the justice system. The centerpiece of the effort is an online “Immigrant Rights Resource Center,” with bilingual information on how to prepare for interactions with law enforcement. ACLU-TN is publicizing the center with the distribution of posters in Spanish and English to social service agencies, businesses and churches across the state. Read more from the group
Republican congressional candidate Lou Ann Zelenik -– who is seeking to unseat U.S. Rep. Diane Black -– is facing a contempt charge after not showing up for a deposition. Earlier this month, Zelenik was subpoenaed to give a deposition in a case involving State Rep. Mae Beavers and the Macon County Chronicle. The lawyer who issued the subpoena says Zelenik cancelled at the last minute, saying she was too busy campaigning. Zelenik’s lawyer, however, says the postponement was agreed upon. A hearing on the charges was set for September. WSMV reports
State prison officials awarded a $250,000 grant today to the Big Brothers Big Sisters Amachi initiative, which provides mentors for the children of incarcerated parents. According to a news release from the Tennessee Department of Correction, the initiative is designed to break the intergenerational cycle of crime and incarceration and give an often forgotten group of children the chance to reach their highest potential. Memphis Daily News has more
A domestic assault case against the 23-year-old daughter of General Sessions Court judge candidate Gary Starnes is set to come before current judge, David Norton, on Monday, but Norton is expected to recuse himself. Such a move would lead to the appointment of an outside judge and prosecutor in the case. And while it will increase the workload for the remaining judges, they say they can handle it. Chattanoogan.com reports
Davidson County General Sessions Judge Mike Jameson has stepped down from the bench, taking an unpaid leave of absence through the Aug. 2 election to assist his former law partner Phillip North in his bid for the state Senate. Jameson lost to Rachel Bell in March primary, and although he pledged to serve through August, he now says his allegiance is with his former colleague. Read more in The Tennessean
Knoxville lawyers will gather Thursday, July 26, at the Square Room on Market Square for Celebrate Pro Bono! The festivities will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a dinner buffet. Tickets are $25 per person ($15 for law students) and may be ordered online, by fax to (865) 525-1162 or by mail to Legal Aid of East Tennessee, 502 S. Gay Street, Suite 404, Knoxville 37902. Tennessee Supreme Court Justices Sharon G. Lee and Gary R. Wade will serve as the masters of ceremonies. The evening also will feature a silent auction, and will wrap up with a presentation of the Knoxville Bar Association's Pro Bono Awards and awards for those who have performed extraordinary service to low-income clients through the Pro Bono Project. Learn more about the event
The Memphis Lawyers' Chapter of the Federalist Society will present a luncheon seminar on "Union Organizing Made Easier: The Obama NLRB" on Thursday, July 26, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Madison Hotel. The speaker will be Raymond J. LaJeunesse, vice president and legal director at the National Right to Work Legal Defense Fund. The cost is $25 for society members and $30 for non-members. To register contact Greg Grisham at (901) 462-2616 or gregory.grisham@jacksonlewis.com.
Following publication of a story in yesterday’s issue of TBA Today, two additional lawyers running for public office have been identified. They are state Sen. Tim Barnes of Adams, who is seeking reelection in the 22nd District, and Bristol lawyer Thomas M. Gray III, who is seeking the District 4 House seat currently occupied by Rep. Kent Williams. That brings to 24 the number of lawyers running for legislative office this year. See the full list
The Sullivan County District Attorney’s Office has added two new attorneys to its staff. R. Benjamin Rowe will serve as the second judicial district DUI prosecutor and serve on the district’s Fatal Incident Response Team, according to District Attorney General Barry Staubus. Also joining the staff is Wesley Mink, who will work in the General Sessions Court division. Read more from Tri-Cities.com.
A court aimed at helping veterans who come to the criminal justice system as a result of drug addictions, homelessness and other situations brought on by the ravages of untreated wartime stress held its first session this week in Clarksville. General Sessions Judge Ken Goble brought the court to order on Tuesday, telling one early participant, “This is for those who have sacrificed and are now in a bad place. This is a chance to get you off the road you’re on.” Learn more about the court from the AOC.
Vanderbilt Law School has added Morgan Ricks to its faculty as an assistant professor. A former investment banker and senior policy advisor in the Obama administration, Ricks most recently was visiting assistant professor at Harvard Law School. Read more from Vanderbilt
Nashville attorney Randy Spivey will expand curriculum and develop new programs as he takes over as academic director for Lipscomb University’s Institute for Law, Justice and Society, the Nashville Post reports. Spivey previously practiced with the Nashville firm Williams & Prochaska and most recently served as disciplinary counsel for the Tennessee Supreme Court’s Board of Professional Responsibility.
The Tennessee Bar Foundation’s collection of videotaped interviews with prominent Tennessee lawyers and judges is now available at the Tennessee State Library and Archives, the Chattanoogan reports. The collection consists of 76 interviews -- a virtual “Who’s Who” of the 20th Century legal profession in Tennessee, including Howard Baker, Adolpho Birch, Wyeth Chandler, Martha Craig Daughtrey, Lewis Donelson, Joe Duncan, Benjamin Hooks, Irvin Kilcrease, Gilbert Merritt, James Neal, Paul Summers, Thomas Wiseman and many others. See them at http://www.tnbarfoundation.org/legal.aspx
A report compiled by the Tennessee Bar Association shows that while the number of lawyers serving in the legislature has declined over the last several years, more lawyers are candidates for the General Assembly this year than in the last two election cycles. The report shows that 25 lawyers are running for 20 seats. In two districts, lawyers are pitted against each other in the primary or will likely face off in the general election. It remains to be seen whether, with the retirement of several lawyer lawmakers, the actual number of lawyers in the General Assembly will increase. See a full list of candidates with links to learn more about their campaigns.
