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.
Two decades and two opinions later, Knox County Public Defender Mark Stephens is firing his brother-in-law. Stephens said he was forced to fire Mike Stone, an investigator assigned to the DUI division, after the state attorney general found that Stephens' employment of his brother-in-law violated Tennessee's Nepotism Act, though Stephens exercises no direct control over Stone. Read more in the News Sentinel
The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and YP Nashville have named finalists for the 2012 Nashville Emerging Leader Awards. In the legal services category, the following five Nashville lawyers were announced: Rachel Bell with Bell & Kinslow PLLC; Christy Crider with Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz PC; Kolin Holladay with Adams and Reese LLP; James Mackler with Bone, McAllester, Norton PLLC; and Matt Potempa with the Law Office of Matt Potempa PLLC. A networking reception with the nominees will take place June 28 at the Bound’ry. Winners in each category will be announced on July 26 at an awards ceremony at Lipscomb University’s Collins Alumni Auditorium.
The Upper Cumberland Young Lawyers Association is sponsoring the 37th Annual Anne Cameron Golf Classic this Saturday at Ironwood Golf Course in Cookeville. The four-person team scramble raises money for the Cookeville Regional Medical Center Foundation Cancer Fund in memory of Cookeville attorney, Anne Cameron. To sign-up or for more information contact Lindsay Cameron Gross at (931) 526-3366 or lindsay@cameronyounglaw.com
Murfreesboro lawyer Jerry Scott was transferred to disability inactive status by the Tennessee Supreme Court on June 11. He may not practice law while on disability inactive status, but may resume the practice of law after showing by clear and convincing evidence that the disability has been removed and he is fit to return to the practice of law. Download the BPR notice
Former Maury County lawyer Rhonda D. Hooks received a public censure from the Tennessee Supreme Court on June 5. The court also ordered her to attend 10 additional hours of ethics legal education in 2012, 2013 and 2014. The court found that she filed a motion in a client's criminal case without notifying and receiving permission from the client’s current counsel; assisted a client in the unauthorized practice of law; and failed to ascertain the status and complexity of a client’s case prior to representing that client. Download the BPR notice
Members of the Tennessee Supreme Court today welcomed the latest class of attorneys to join the practice of law in Tennessee. About 60 new lawyers took part in the ceremonies at War Memorial Auditorium in Nashville. Following introductions and administration of the oath by Chief Justice Connie Clark, the group heard remarks from each justice and TBA President Jackie Dixon. An open house and luncheon at the Tennessee Bar Center followed the ceremonies.
35 graduate, one honored with service award at TBA convention
NASHVILLE, June 12, 2012 -- Thirty-five attorneys from across the state graduated from the Tennessee Bar Association's Leadership Law program during the association's annual convention in Memphis last week.
Andree S. Blumstein, Scott Griswold awarded annual honor
NASHVILLE, June 12, 2012 -- The Justice Joe Henry Award for Outstanding Legal Writing was given to two Tennessee Bar Journal authors this year: Nashville lawyer Andree S. Blumstein and Knoxville lawyer Scott Griswold at the TBA's annual meeting in Memphis Friday.
Judge Robert Childers honored for work with lawyer assistance programs
NASHVILLE, June 12, 2012 -- Memphis Circuit Court Judge Robert L. "Butch" Childers was honored with the Tennessee Bar Association's Justice Frank F. Drowota III Outstanding Judicial Service Award at the group's annual meeting in Memphis on Friday.
Widow of former Springfield lawyer Larry Wilks accepts award
NASHVILLE, June 12, 2012 -- Former Springfield lawyer and TBA president Larry Dean Wilks, who died Aug. 30, 2011, was posthumously presented the William M. Leech Jr. Public Service Award by the Tennessee Bar Association (TBA) Young Lawyers Division Fellows at the TBA's annual meeting in Memphis on Friday. Wilks was recognized for his service to the practice of law, the bar and the profession. The award was accepted by his widow Jan Wilks and his son John Wilks.
The Tennessee Supreme Court has disbarred Knoxville attorney John Threadgill and ordered restitution of more than $266,000 to seven former clients. A Hearing Panel of the Board of Professional Responsibility found he misappropriated client funds; neglected client matters; failed to communicate with clients; engaged in dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation; and commingled client, personal and business funds. Threadgill’s actions violate Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1 (competence), 1.3 (diligence), 1.5 (fees), 1.15 (safeguarding funds), 1.16 (terminating representation) and 8.4 (misconduct). Download the BPR release
The nasty primary between U.S. Rep. Diane Black and tea party activist Lou Ann Zelenik two years ago is being repeated this summer as the two face off in August for the Republican nomination to represent Tennessee’s 6th Congressional District. The battle also could help shape the character of the Tennessee Republican Party for years to come — offering voters a straight-up choice between a firebrand activist and a veteran Republican lawmaker who differ in style more than they differ on policy. Read more in the Tennessean
NASHVILLE, June 12, 2012 -- Jackson lawyer Jonathan O. Steen took office as the Tennessee Bar Association's vice president at the association's annual convention in Memphis on Friday. The move puts him in line to assume the presidency in June 2014.
A recent survey of more than 5,700 workers found that lawyers and judges are among those most likely to report a weight gain at their current job. Among all workers who added pounds, 54 percent said it was because of sitting at their desk most of the day; 56 percent said they also ate their lunch at their desk. Other reasons included eating because of stress (reported by 37 percent) and eating out regularly (reported by 23 percent). ABAJournal.com connects you to the survey
Rutherford County planners voted 6-1 Monday to appeal a court ruling that declared their approval of a mosque void for not providing adequate public notice. “In my opinion, he was asking us to discriminate,” Rutherford County Regional Planning Commissioner Mike Kusch said of Chancellor Robert Corlew III's ruling. Another commissioner agreed, saying the ruling asked the county to discriminate by telling it to treat the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro in a different way than how it approved construction plans for Grace Baptist Church next door. The Tennessean has the story
NASHVILLE, June 12, 2012 -- Sevierville lawyer Cynthia Richardson Wyrick took office as the Tennessee Bar Association's president-elect at the association's annual convention in Memphis on Friday. The move puts her in line to assume the presidency in June 2013. During her time in office, Wyrick hopes to encourage more citizens to run for public service, increase professionalism in the practice of law, and provide greater support for lawyers who open solo practices.
Sumner County Juvenile Court Judge Barry Brown says that he and part-time magistrate David Howard face so many cases that they can't keep them moving through the system fast enough, The Tennessean reports. “DCS (Department of Children’s Services) is filing at least five cases a week where they have to remove children,” Brown told members of the County Budget Committee June 4. “We’re now setting cases going into November and December. That’s just too long in a kid’s life." Brown is asking the county to make Howard's position full-time to help move cases faster. The additional hours with benefits included would add $79,000 to the General Sessions II budget. The Tennessean reports
Will focus on civility, civics education, importance of impartial judiciary
NASHVILLE, June 12, 2012 - Nashville lawyer Jacqueline B. Dixon took office as the Tennessee Bar Association's 130th president at the association's annual convention in Memphis on Friday. After being sworn into office by Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Connie Clark, Dixon laid out her vision for the year, which will include a focus on civics education, civility in the profession, pro bono efforts and working to preserve an impartial judiciary.
State Rep. Curry Todd, R-Collierville, has been indicted by a Davidson County grand jury on charges of driving under the influence and possession of a handgun while under the influence stemming from his October 2011 arrest, The Tennessean reports. Todd, a chief proponent of a 2010 law that allowed permit holders to carry guns into places that serve alcohol, was arrested after officers found a loaded handgun in his vehicle during a traffic stop. Despite the arrest, Todd, who is a retired police officer, does not face opposition for his House seat. Speaker of the House Beth Harwell said Monday that the indictments will make it “difficult if not impossible” for Todd to be restored to his powerful post as chairman of the House State and Local Government Committee from which he resigned after his arrest.
Two lawyers were temporarily suspended by the Tennessee Supreme Court on June 11. Knoxville lawyer Vanessa Lynn Lemons was suspended pursuant to Section 4.3 of Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, for her failure to respond to a complaint of ethical misconduct. Nashville lawyer Dana L. Nero was suspended pursuant to Section 4.3 of Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, for failure to substantially comply with her Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program (TLAP) Monitoring Agreement. Effective June 11, Lemons and Nero are precluded from accepting any new cases and must cease representing existing clients by July 11. After that date they may not use any indicia of lawyer, legal assistant, or law clerk nor maintain a presence where the practice of law is conducted. Download the BPR's release for Lemons and Nero
