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.
News from the Public Education Committee
Winners of the TBA's YouTube Video Contest were recognized at the Lawyers Luncheon held in conjunction with the TBA Annual Convention in Memphis last week. Winner of the Middle School division of was Ben Panak of Murfreesboro. Winner of the high school division was Vivian Hughbanks of Signal Mountain. See photos of the award winners or view the winning video entries
The law license of Madison County lawyer Roger Alan Staton was transferred to disability inactive status pursuant to Section 21, Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, on June 5. He cannot practice law with this status, but may return to practice upon showing the court that the disability has been removed. Download the BPR news release
Nashville lawyer Jacqueline B. Dixon took office as the Tennessee Bar Association's president at the association's annual convention in Memphis today. 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 helping preserve an impartial judiciary.
News from the YLD Fellows
Springfield lawyer and former 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. Wilks was recognized for his service to the practice of law, the bar and the profession. The award was presented by Fellows President Cynthia Richardson Wyrick, a lawyer in Sevierville, and accepted by Wilks' widow Jan and his son John.
News from the TBA Board of Governors
Memphis Circuit Court Judge Robert L. Childers was honored with the Tennessee Bar Association's Justice Frank F. Drowota III Outstanding Judicial Service Award today at the group’s annual meeting in Memphis. The Drowota Award is given to a judge or judicial branch official of a federal, state or local court in Tennessee who has demonstrated extraordinary devotion and dedication to the improvement of the law, the legal system and the administration of justice as exemplified by the career of former Supreme Court Justice Frank F. Drowota III – the award’s first recipient.
Law students participating in the TBA Young Lawyers Division's Diversity Leadership Institute (DLI) met today in Memphis for a final program and graduation. The class attended the annual Lawyers Lunch and then spent the afternoon at the National Civil Rights Museum learning about the role the city of Memphis played in the civil rights struggles of the 1960s. On Saturday, the group will hear from a panel of young lawyers discussing what they wish they had known when transitioning from law school to law practice and will have the opportunity to do some “speed networking.” Later in the day, the class will participate in a cleanup and painting project at a local Boys and Girls Club. The class graduation ceremony also will take place this weekend in conjunction with the TBA’s annual convention. Learn more about the DLI
In an editorial, the Daily News Journal asks if the Rutherford County Judicial Building has a good plan in place for clearing the building in emergencies, in light of the confustion during a recent bomb threat there when the public address system did not work. The paper urges county officials to make the building as safe as possible. "That means coming up with an efficient evacuation plan that deals with every type of emergency, from bomb threats and fires to natural disasters." the paper says. "Each threat must be taken seriously."
Gov. Bill Haslam signed three anti-crime measures into law earlier this week. The laws include an increase in mandatory jail time for repeat domestic violence offenders; an increase in sentences for convicted felons with guns that include some specific circumstances for longer sentences; and making aggravated assault, robbery and aggravated burglary a higher class of felony with a longer sentence when committed by groups of three or more people. The Daily News Journal reports
Two red light traffic camera vendors sought to overturn a state law barring tickets involving right turns on red, but Knox County Chancellor Michael W. Moyers would not declare the law unconstitutional. "The challenged law does not in any way amend or modify the rules regarding making right turns at a red light," Moyers ruled. The News Sentinel has the story
U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen of Memphis testified in front of U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, raising concerns of monopolistic practices by Delta Airlines and Kroger and asking Holder to investigate. Cohen said in the House Judiciary Committee hearing that after Delta merged with Northwest, and after Kroger took over former Schnucks stores, Memphians have been stuck with higher prices and fewer choices. Holder said, “That’s inappropriate under our anti-trust laws, so that’s the kind of thing that would have impact on consumers, and we would aggressively pursue.” WREG reports
The law school class of 2011 has more depressing news as employment hit an 18-year low, according to data released yesterday by NALP. Nine months after graduation, 85.6 percent had jobs, but not quite 66 percent of them had jobs that required a law degree. This is down 9 percent since 2008. Only 12.5 percent had jobs that preferred but did not require a law degree, up from 10.7 percent for the class of 2010. The National Law Journal has more
Tennessee Bar Association Convention activities continued today in Memphis with the annual Bench Bar program and lunch. Lawyers heard from a panel of speakers on two current hot topics: the handling of matters involving pro se litigants and the state's ever-growing sets of local court rules. Following the program, football coach and Memphis businessman Bill Courtney inspired the group with a recounting of his experience at Manassas High School, which was featured in the Academy Award winning documentary "Undefeated," and highlighted six key components of leadership: moving out of one's comfort zone, taking the time to really listen, developing a servant's heart, not worrying about who gets the credit, being willing to make "the ask" and building a personal legacy.
Tomorrow, lawyers will gather for the TBA's annual meeting and awards luncheon, and President Danny Van Horn will pass the gavel to incoming president Jackie Dixon of Nashville. Also, members of the 2012 TBA Leadership Law class will visit the National Civil Rights Museum for a program on the Memphis Sanitation Strike – the fateful event that brought Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to the city in 1968 -- and gather in the evening for a graduation and awards ceremony. Stay up-to-date on all convention activities
The Bench Bar Committee of the Tennessee Judicial Conference presented a thought-provoking and informative look at two current hot topic issues: 1) the handling of matters involving pro se litigants; and 2) our ever-growing sets of local rules of court.
Following the program, football coach and Memphis businessman Bill Courtney inspired the group at the Bench/Bar Luncheon with a leadership challenge, and a recounting of his experience at Manassas High School that was featured in the Academy Award winning documentary "Undefeated."
A Connecticut man accused of attempting to rob a woman at knifepoint says he was sleepwalking at the time. His lawyer says he plans to use the claim as a medical defense, and is busy gathering records in an attempt to convince prosecutors they should take the claim seriously. WRCB-TV reports
New York-based law firm Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman has selected Nashville's AT&T Building as its new downtown home. According to a news release, the firm has signed a seven-year lease for two and a half floors. Pillsbury announced in October that it planned to expand into Nashville with a new 150-person office. The Nashville Business Journal has more on the site selection.
According to local officials, the public address system in the Rutherford County Judicial Building didn’t operate properly last Thursday when a bomb threat forced evacuation of the building. In addition, according to witnesses, the fire alarm was not activated and the courtroom communication system wasn’t used. Officials acknowledge that the public address system, which can be heard in the hallways, has not operated properly in years. With regard to the courtroom system, the Daily News Journal reports that local officials have provided conflicting reports this week about how it works.
Opponents of a Murfreesboro mosque have asked a judge for an injunction to stop further construction. Lead attorney Joe Brandon Jr. said the filing asks Chancellor Robert Corlew III “to put some teeth in his ruling,” which last week found that the local government failed to provide adequate public notice for a site plan meeting. “If you have a void site plan application, you don’t have a valid building permit,” Brandon said. The Daily News Journal reports
Former General Sessions Judge James Taylor, already facing criminal charges in Davidson County, was indicted earlier this week by a Hawkins County Grand Jury on multiple theft and money laundering charges. The 12 new charges bring the total charges against him to 53. The earlier counts related to fraudulent payment claims he made to the state while serving as judge. These new charges are related to alleged thefts that occurred in his private practice. Among the alleged victims are three Hawkins County churches that made donations for a heritage display at the justice center, two of his employees and two fellow lawyers. Bond on the new charges was set at $150,000. Taylor remains in custody in Davidson County on a $175,000 bond. Read more from the Rogersville Review
Thirty seven attorneys are leaving the Nashville office of Miller & Martin to join Butler Snow O'Mara Stevens & Cannada PLLC, the Nashville Business Journal reports. With this expansion, Butler Snow becomes one of the largest firms in the state and among the largest in the country, with more than 220 attorneys practicing in 12 offices nationwide. Read more from the firm and see a list of those making the move.
In a second article about the departures from Miller & Martin, one Nashville lawyer cites Butler Snow’s alternative billing practices, technology, and free flow of attorneys and resources as a key reason for making the move, while others referenced “different philosophies" about how to build a practice.
The House of Delegates reviewed a number of policy issues during its session today in Memphis as part of the TBA Annual Convention. In addition, House Speaker Claudia Jack passed the gavel to Charlie Trotter, who will lead the body in the coming year.
