Tuesday, March 31, 2009
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Mediation & Arbitration Strategies for Litigators & Neutrals

With the increased use of mediation and arbitration methods, issues are arising for the practitioner and neutral alike. An upcoming program from the TBA's TennBarU will take on those issues and also will educate the practitioner on the nuances of arbitration, and provide an objective analysis of rising ethical trends in the field of dispute resolution. Watch for this program on April 7 in Chattanooga, April 8 in Knoxville and April 9 in Johnson City.

Register now or learn more
TODAY'S OPINIONS
Click on the category of your choice to view summaries of today’s opinions from that court, or other body. A link at the end of each case summary will let you download the full opinion in PDF format. To search all opinions in the TBALink database or to obtain a text version of each opinion, go to our OpinionSearch page. If you have forgotten your password or need to obtain a password, you can look it up on TBALink at the TBA's Membership Central.

01 - TN Supreme Court
00 - TN Worker's Comp Appeals
00 - TN Supreme Court - Rules
10 - TN Court of Appeals
06 - TN Court of Criminal Appeals
00 - TN Attorney General Opinions
00 - Judicial Ethics Opinions
00 - Formal Ethics Opinions - BPR
You can obtain full-text versions of the opinions two ways. We recommend that you download the Opinions to your computer and then open them from there. 1) Click the URL at end of each Opinion paragraph below. This should give you the option to download the original document. If not, you may need to right-click on the URL to get the option to save the file to your computer. 2) Do a key word search in the Search Link area of TBALink. This option will allow you to view and save a plain-text version of the opinion.
ARTHUR CREECH ET AL. v. ROBERT R. ADDINGTON ET AL.

Court: TSC

Attorneys:

Rick L. Powers and Dan D. Rhea, Knoxville, Tennessee, for the appellants, D.C. Parker and Richard Flowers.

David H. Parton, Gatlinburg, Tennessee for the appellees, Arthur Creech et al.

Judge: WADE

The eleven Plaintiffs, investors in a real estate development in Tunica, Mississippi, suffered losses when the financing for hotels on the tracts of land they had leased failed to materialize. Five of the Plaintiffs first learned of the investment opportunity in 1993 while attending a presentation by real estate agents Lloyd and Betty Link in Gatlinburg. After suit was filed against several Defendants based upon breach of oral and written contracts, the trial court entered an order of dismissal as to the Links and other of the Defendants and, later, granted a motion for summary judgment in favor of D.C. Parker and Richard Flowers, the owners of the land. When judgments had been entered as to all of the Defendants, the Plaintiffs appealed, but only as to Parker and Flowers. The Court of Appeals reversed, holding that whether an agency relationship existed between Parker and Flowers, as principals, and the Links, and whether the Links had been guilty of misrepresentation were disputed questions of fact. Upon remand, a jury found that the Links were the agents of Parker and Flowers, who were vicariously liable for fraudulent misrepresentations made by the Links. Damages were awarded to the Plaintiffs. In a second appeal, this time by Parker and Flowers, the Court of Appeals affirmed as to those five Plaintiffs who had attended the presentation in Gatlinburg, but remanded for a new trial as to those who did not. We granted an application for permission to appeal to consider whether the order of dismissal in favor of the agents precluded any adjudication of vicarious liability as to the principals. We find that the order of dismissal in regard to the Links has become final, was on the merits, and involves the same cause of action as the pending fraudulent misrepresentation claims. The doctrine of res judicata applies. Because the Plaintiffs' right of action against the agents has been extinguished by operation of law, the Plaintiffs are not entitled to a judgment against Parker and Flowers based solely upon the fraudulent misrepresentations by the Links as agents. Moreover, the Plaintiffs did not properly preserve for appeal their claims of direct liability against Parker and Flowers. The judgment of the Court of Appeals is, therefore, reversed, the jury's verdict assigning vicarious liability to Parker and Flowers is vacated, and the case is dismissed.

http://www.tba2.org/tba_files/TSC/2009/creecha_033109.pdf
HARRY ASKEY, ET AL. v. MAURY COUNTY BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS, AN ADMINISTRATIVE BODY FORMED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE AND MAURY COUNTY, TENNESSEE

Court: TCA

Attorneys:

Jeffrey M. Beemer, Kerry L. Masters, Nashville, Tennessee, for the appellants, Maury County Board of Zoning Appeals, an administrative body formed under the laws of the State of Tennessee and Maury County, Tennessee.

S. Jason Whatley, Columbia, Tennessee, for the appellees, Harry Askey and wife, Edna Jane Askey.

Judge: COTTRELL

A local zoning board found that use of a pasture as a private airstrip violated the applicable zoning restrictions. In an appeal by the landowner, the trial court found the board erred since the permitted use "recreational facility" applied to a private airstrip. We affirm the trial court.

http://www.tba2.org/tba_files/TCA/2009/askeyh_033109.pdf
In Re D.C.A.

Court: TCA

Attorneys:

Melanie Totty Cagle, Centerville, Tennessee, for the appellant, Brian William Ball.

Dana Dye, Centerville, Tennessee, for the appellees, Mark Coggins and wife, Catherine Coggins.

Judge: COTTRELL

The trial court terminated the parental rights of the father of an eleven year old boy on the ground of abandonment by willful failure to pay child support. The father admitted that he did not pay the child support ordered by the court, but claimed that his failure was not willful. He argued that his record as a convicted felon prevented him from finding and holding steady employment, thus rendering him unable to pay any support at all. However, the record shows that Father was able- bodied and did in fact work at a number of jobs after his felony conviction. We accordingly affirm the trial court.

http://www.tba2.org/tba_files/TCA/2009/dca_033109.pdf
WAYNE B. GILLARD v. JAMES A. TAYLOR, ET AL.
CORRECTION: On page 2, third paragraph, the brackets beginning on line 3 and ending on line 8 have been deleted and the date of September 11, 2008, in the last sentence has been changed to May 2, 2008.

Court: TCA

Attorneys:

Gary H. Nichols, Michael R. Flynn, Memphis, TN, for Appellant, Nationwide Insurance Company

Eugene A. Laurenzi, Memphis, TN, for Appellee, Wayne B. Gillard

Judge: STAFFORD

Police officer who was injured while driving his patrol car brought this action against his automobile insurer to recover uninsured motorist benefits under his personal policy. The trial court denied insurers' motion for summary judgment, finding that the regular use exception found in the policy was ambiguous. The insurance company appeals. We reverse and remand.

http://www.tba2.org/tba_files/TCA/2009/gillardw_CORR_033109.pdf
STATE OF TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN'S SERVICES v. H. A. C.

Court: TCA

Attorneys:

James A. Rose, Nashville, Tennessee, for the appellant, H. A. C.

Robert E. Cooper, Jr., Attorney General and Reporter; Michael E. Moore, Solicitor General; and Preston Shipp, Assistant Attorney General, for the appellee, State of Tennessee Department of Children's Services.

Judge: CLEMENT

In this dependent and neglect action, Mother appeals the trial court's finding that she committed severe child abuse. When the parents took their then seven-week-old child to the emergency room, the child was found to have a fractured femur and two fractured ribs. The child was immediately taken into state custody. Thereafter, the Department of Children's Services filed a petition against both parents to declare the child dependent and neglected as a result of severe child abuse. Mother contested the petition; Father did not. The juvenile court found the child dependent and neglected and additionally found that both parents had committed severe child abuse. Following an appeal to circuit court, the circuit court made the same findings. Mother appeals the finding that she committed severe child abuse. The evidence is sufficient to establish that the child was severely abused; however, the evidence does not clearly and convincingly prove that Mother severely abused the child. Accordingly, we reverse the finding that Mother committed severe child abuse.

http://www.tba2.org/tba_files/TCA/2009/hac_033109.pdf
MENDY JOAN HAGLER v. JOEL SCOTT HAGLER

Court: TCA

Attorneys:

Phillip M. Jacobs, Cleveland, Tennessee, for appellant, Joel Scott Hagler.

H. Franklin Chancey, Cleveland, Tennessee, for appellee, Mendy Joan Hagler.

Judge: FRANKS

In this divorce case the Trial Judge granted the parties a divorce and divided the marital estate. The husband appealed on the grounds that a house awarded to the wife was not a marital asset, and otherwise questioned the property and division of the indebtedness of the marital estate. On appeal we affirm, as modified, the modification being that the evidence preponderates against the Trial Judge finding that the father had awarded his son a collection of firearms.

http://www.tba2.org/tba_files/TCA/2009/haglerm_033109.pdf
METROPOLITAN NASHVILLE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, et al. v. THE METROPOLITAN BOARD OF PUBLIC EDUCATION

Court: TCA

Attorneys:

Courtney Lynch Wilbert, Richard Lee Colbert, Franklin, Tennessee, for the appellants, Metropolitan Nashville Education Association, et al.

Sue B. Cain, Director of Law, The Department of Law of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County; Lora Barkenbus Fox, Christopher Michael Lackey, Paul Jefferson Campbell, II, for the appellee, The Metropolitan Board of Public Education.

Judge: COTTRELL

On remand from the Supreme Court for reconsideration in light of Lawrence County Education Association v. Lawrence County Board of Education, 244 S.W.3d 302 (Tenn. 2007), we find that an arbitrator has no authority under the Education Professional Negotiations Act, Tenn. Code Ann. section 349-5-601 et seq., to resolve disputes about coaching positions. The trial court's grant of summary judgment to the board of education is affirmed. The case is, however, remanded to the trial court for consideration of the former coach's statutory claims under Tenn. Code Ann. section 49-5-510.

http://www.tba2.org/tba_files/TCA/2009/metronashedassoc_033109.pdf
GLYNDA MILLER v. STATE OF TENNESSEE

Court: TCA

Attorneys:

Phillip L. Davidson, Nashville, Tennessee, for the appellant, Glynda Miller.

Robert E. Cooper, Jr., Attorney General and Reporter; Michael E. Moore, Solicitor General; Jay C. Ballard, Assistant Attorney General, for the appellee, State of Tennessee.

Judge: COTTRELL

A former state employee brought a claim against the State under the Claims Commission Act, Tenn. Code Ann. section 9-8-301 et seq., claiming a state official made actionable remarks about her to the press in relation to a sexual harassment investigation and her subsequent termination. The Claims Commissioner granted the State summary judgment finding, among other grounds, that the public remarks were not defamatory and did not place her in a false light. We affirm.

http://www.tba2.org/tba_files/TCA/2009/millerg_033109.pdf
PENNY ANN BIGGAM MOSES v. ROGER DALE MOSES

Court: TCA

Attorneys:

Randy G. Rogers, Athens, Tennessee, for the appellant, Roger Dale Moses.

D. Mitchell Bryant, Athens, Tennessee, for the appellee, Penny Ann Biggam Moses.

Judge: SUSANO

This is a divorce case. The trial court granted Penny Ann Biggam Moses ("Wife") a divorce from Roger Dale Moses ("Husband"), valued and divided the marital assets, awarded Wife alimony in solido, and adopted Wife's parenting plan pursuant to which Wife was made the primary residential parent of the parties' two minor children. Husband challenges each of these determinations. Wife seeks an award of attorney's fees and expenses on appeal. We affirm and grant Wife's request for fees and expenses.

http://www.tba2.org/tba_files/TCA/2009/mosesp_033109.pdf
KEVIN C. REDMAN v. JAMES NEELEY, COMMISSIONER, TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, ET AL.

Court: TCA

Attorneys:

Randall W. Burton, Nashville, Tennessee, for the appellant, Kevin C. Redman

Robert E. Cooper, Jr., Attorney General and Reporter; Michael E. Moore, Solicitor General; Douglas E. Dimond; Preston Shipp, Assistant Attorneys General, for the appellee, James G. Neeley, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

Emily Hunter Plotkin, Nashville, Tennessee, for the appellee, Sylvan Park Amoco, Inc.

Judge: COTTRELL

The claimant appeals the trial court's order affirming the denial of his request for unemployment benefits by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. We agree with the trial court that there is substantial and material evidence in the record to support the agency's finding that claimant's attendance problems constitute workplace misconduct under Tenn. Code Ann. section 50- 7-303(a)(2)(A). Consequently, the trial court is affirmed.

http://www.tba2.org/tba_files/TCA/2009/redmank_033109.pdf
TIMMY SYKES ET AL. v. CHATTANOOGA HOUSING AUTHORITY ET AL.

Court: TCA

Attorneys:

Michael A. Anderson, Chattanooga, Tennessee, for the appellants, Timmy Sykes and Curtis Greene.

Stacie L. Caraway and Larry L. Cash, Chattanooga, Tennessee, for the appellees, Chattanooga Housing Authority and Jeff Hazelwood.

Judge: SUSANO

Timmy Sykes and Curtis Greene ("Employees" ), who were public safety officers of the Chattanooga Housing Authority ("CHA"), sued CHA and the chief of the CHA safety department, Jeff Hazelwood ("Chief Hazelwood"). CHA was sued for retaliatory discharge under Tenn. Code Ann. section 50-1-304 (2008), the code section addressing an employee's "discharge or terminat[ion] solely for refusing to participate in, or for refusing to remain silent about, illegal activities." Employees also sued under Tenn. Code Ann. section 4-21-301(2005) for retaliation for having opposed practices of discrimination. In addition, Employees assert that Chief Hazelwood intentionally interfered with their contracts of employment. Employee Sykes claims that Chief Hazelwood defamed him. CHA and Chief Hazelwood ("the Defendants") filed a motion for summary judgment, which the trial court granted in full. We hold that Employee Sykes may proceed under Tenn. Code Ann. section 50-1-304, but that Employee Greene may not. We vacate the summary judgment on Employees' claims under the Tennessee Human Rights Act of retaliation for having opposed discriminatory practices. Furthermore, we vacate the trial court's grant of summary judgment on the claims against Chief Hazelwood for interference with Employees' employment contracts. Finally, we affirm the court's grant of summary judgment as to Employee Sykes' claim of defamation. Case remanded for further proceedings, consistent with this opinion.

http://www.tba2.org/tba_files/TCA/2009/sykest_033109.pdf
STATE OF TENNESSEE v. MICHAEL R. ANDERSON

Court: TCCA

Attorneys:

Anthony L. Sanders and Clifford K. McGown, Jr., Waverly, Tennessee, for the appellant, Michael R. Anderson.

Robert E. Cooper, Jr., Attorney General and Reporter; David H. Findley, Senior Counsel; Dan. M. Alsobrooks, District Attorney General; and Lisa Donegan, Assistant District Attorney General, for the appellee, State of Tennessee.

Judge: WELLES

The Defendant, Michael R. Anderson, was convicted under Tennessee Code Annotated section 55- 10-401 of driving under the influence of an intoxicant ("DUI"), a Class A misdemeanor. He was sentenced to eleven months and twenty-nine days in the county jail. The trial court suspended all but seven days of this sentence. He was also fined, stripped of his driver's license for one year, and directed to attend a driving safety school. In this direct appeal, the Defendant argues that: (1) the trial court erred in finding that the State did not violate the rule of sequestration; (2) the trial court should have excluded his blood test results because the State failed to establish a proper chain of custody of his blood sample; and (3) the trial court impermissibly sentenced him based upon facts not found by a jury. We conclude that the trial court properly found no violation of the rule of sequestration and properly sentenced the Defendant. We also conclude, however, that the trial court erred in admitting the Defendant's blood test results. We accordingly reverse his conviction and remand this case for a new trial.

http://www.tba2.org/tba_files/TCCA/2009/andersonm_033109.pdf
BRANDON BIGGERSTAFF v. STEPHEN DOTSON, WARDEN

Court: TCCA

Attorneys:

Brandon Biggerstaff, Whiteville, Tennessee, Pro Se.

Robert E. Cooper, Jr., Attorney General and Reporter; and Clarence E. Lutz, Assistant Attorney General, for the appellee, State of Tennessee.

Judge: GLENN

The petitioner, Brandon Biggerstaff, appeals the Hardeman County Circuit Court's summary dismissal of his petition for writ of habeas corpus. The State has filed a motion requesting that this court affirm the lower court's denial of relief pursuant to Rule 20 of the Rules of the Court of Criminal Appeals. Because the petitioner has failed to establish that his conviction is void or his sentence illegal, we conclude that the State's motion is well-taken. Accordingly, we affirm the lower court's summary dismissal of the petition.

http://www.tba2.org/tba_files/TCCA/2009/biggerstaffb_033109.pdf
STATE OF TENNESSEE v. ANTONI DANTA HIX IN RE: CARLOS BONDING, LLC

Court: TCCA

Attorneys:

Robert Marlow, Shelbyville, for the appellant, Carlos Bonding, LLC.

Robert E. Cooper, Jr., Attorney General and Reporter; Lacy Wilber, Assistant Attorney General; Charles Crawford, District Attorney General; and Michael D. Randles, Assistant District Attorney General, for the appellee, State of Tennessee.

Judge: WELLES

The Appellant, Carlos Bonding, LLC, appeals the Bedford County Circuit Court's order granting partial exoneration from the final forfeiture of a $20,000 bond and ordering the company to forfeit $6,000 of the bond. On appeal, Carlos Bonding argues that the trial court, by referencing the concept of treble damages, abused its discretion in its method of calculating the amount to be forfeited. Because the trial court must be afforded broad discretion in a bail forfeiture proceeding, the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.

http://www.tba2.org/tba_files/TCCA/2009/hixa_033109.pdf
MARIO MORRIS v. STATE OF TENNESSEE

Court: TCCA

Attorneys:

R. Price Harris, Memphis, Tennessee, for the appellant, Mario Morris.

Robert E. Cooper, Jr., Attorney General and Reporter; Elizabeth B. Marney, Assistant Attorney General; William L. Gibbons, District Attorney General; and Stacey McEndree, Assistant District Attorney General, for the appellee, State of Tennessee.

Judge: GLENN

The defendant was convicted of four counts of aggravated robbery, which were merged into two counts, and one count of especially aggravated kidnapping. He was sentenced to ten years for each of the aggravated robbery convictions and twenty years for the especially aggravated kidnapping conviction, with all sentences to run consecutively. On appeal, this court found that the evidence was sufficient to sustain the convictions and that the record supported that the sentences be served consecutively. However, the matter was remanded to the trial court for the defendant to be sentenced under the pre-2005 amendments to the 1989 Sentencing Act. Subsequently, the defendant was resentenced to eight years for each of the aggravated robbery convictions and twenty years for the especially aggravated kidnapping, with all sentences to be served consecutively. He again appealed, arguing that the evidence was insufficient to support the convictions and that the court erred in sentencing. The State asks that this matter be affirmed pursuant to Rule 20, Rules of the Court of Criminal Appeals, and, following our review, we affirm the judgments of the trial court pursuant to Rule 20.

http://www.tba2.org/tba_files/TCCA/2009/morrism_033109.pdf
CHRISTOPHER LANCE SHOCKLEY v. STATE OF TENNESSEE

Court: TCCA

Attorneys:

G. Kerry Haymaker, Nashville, Tennessee, for the Appellant, Christopher Lance Shockley.

Robert E. Cooper, Jr., Attorney General and Reporter; Michael E. Moore, Solicitor General; Elizabeth T. Ryan, Assistant Attorney General; Victor S. Johnson, III, District Attorney General; Brian Holmgren, Assistant District Attorney General, for the Appellee, State of Tennessee.

Judge: WEDEMEYER

A Davidson County grand jury indicted the Petitioner, Christopher Lance Shockley, on four counts of rape of a child and nine counts of aggravated sexual battery. The Petitioner pled guilty to four counts of aggravated sexual battery, and the trial court imposed an effective sentence of sixteen years. This Court affirmed the sentence on appeal. The Petitioner then filed a post-conviction petition claiming that: (1) his guilty plea was not knowingly and voluntarily entered; and (2) he received the ineffective assistance of counsel. The post-conviction court denied relief, and the Petitioner now appeals. After a thorough review of the record and the applicable law, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.

http://www.tba2.org/tba_files/TCCA/2009/shockleyc_033109.pdf
RICHARD L. WILLIAMS v. ROLAND COLSON, WARDEN, AND STATE OF TENNESSEE

Court: TCCA

Attorneys:

Richard Williams, Pro Se.

Robert E. Cooper, Jr., Attorney General and Reporter; John H. Bledsoe, Assistant Attorney General; Victor S. Johnson, III, District Attorney General; and Amy Eisenbeck, Assistant District Attorney General, for the appellee, State of Tennessee.

Judge: WELLES

The Petitioner, Richard L. Williams, appeals from the trial court's dismissal of his petition seeking habeas corpus relief. The State has filed a motion requesting that this court affirm the trial court's dismissal of the petition pursuant to Rule 20, Rules of the Court of Criminal Appeals. The State's motion is granted. The judgment of the trial court is affirmed.

http://www.tba2.org/tba_files/TCCA/2009/williamsr_033109.pdf
TODAY'S NEWS
Legal News
Justice 4ALL
Disciplinary Actions
Clarification
TBA Member Services
Legal News
Access to Justice Commission to be unveiled Friday
The Tennessee Supreme Court will publicly announce the creation of the Tennessee Access to Justice Commission on April 3 at 1 p.m., in the Old Supreme Court Chambers of the Capitol. The court will announce the commission membership and outline its responsibilities, as well as present a number of changes to court rules to improve access to justice in Tennessee. The event is open to the public and the media. For more information contact AOC Access to Justice Coordinator Rebecca Rhodes.
Nominations due April 3 for pro bono awards
The TBA's Access to Justice Committee and Corporate Counsel Section are accepting nominations for the Corporate Counsel Pro Bono Initiative Awards through April 3. The awards, which recognize a corporate legal department and law firm that best exemplify a commitment to access to justice and pro bono service, will be presented at the third annual Corporate Counsel Pro Bono Initiative Gala June 16 at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis. For more information, contact TBA's Access to Justice Coordinator Anjanette Eash.
Submit an award nomination
Rhodes hosts mock trial semi-finals, 2 of its teams advance
Rhodes College will send two of its mock trial teams to the national championships in April after placing second and fourth in semi-final rounds held last weekend in Memphis. Rhodes hosted one of eight regional competitions at the Shelby County Courthouse. The top six winning teams in this round are among 48 teams to proceed to the national championships in Des Moines, Iowa.
Find out more from the Commercial Appeal
Justice 4ALL
Public Service Day to help with legal needs
With the economy struggling, lawyers have noticed a slowdown in divorces. They say couples are putting their splits on hold because of money. Nashville's Channel 4 reports on this trend, and interviews TBA Executive Director Allan Ramsaur who talks about the TBA's effort to help people with legal needs. Public Service Day is this Saturday, April 4, where lawyers across the state will provide hours of free legal advice.
Watch it on WSMV.com
Race to raise money for MALS
The University of Memphis School of Law Student Bar Association will host a 5k run/walk the morning of April 4 to kick off the TBA's day-long and state-wide 4ALL Public Service Day. The Race Judicata will begin at the Mason YMCA at 3548 Walker Ave. near the university, and all proceeds will benefit the work of Memphis Area Legal Services. Registration is at 8 a.m. Race starts at 10 a.m. For more information contact Omar Malik at omalik@memphis.edu.
Download a race registration form or a sponsorship form
Disciplinary Actions
Memphis lawyer suspended
On March 24, Memphis attorney Kathleen L. Caldwell was suspended from the practice of law by the Tennessee Supreme Court for 24 months, with six months served as active suspension, followed by the remaining 18 months served on probation. Caldwell had failed to supervise a support person in her law office and was unaware of lawsuits, clients and funds generating from her law office.
Read the BPR release
Knoxville attorney suspended
The Tennessee Supreme Court on March 25 temporarily suspended the law license of Knoxville attorney Charles Carter, pursuant to Section 4.3 of Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9. The Board of Professional Responsibility petitioned the court to temporarily suspend Carter's law license because of his failure to respond to a complaint of ethical misconduct.
Read the BPR release
Clarification
An email sent to TBA members on Monday carried an incorrect subject line that may have caused confusion. The email was intended to let members know that the TBA is now beginning its annual membership renewal campaign. To save time and reduce mailing costs, the TBA offers members the opportunity of renewing online before it mails out full renewal packets. Membership renewed now is good through June 2010. Members whose firms participate in the TBA's firm billing program do not need to take any action at this time.
Renew your TBA membership now
TBA Member Services
FCPA top story in April Journal
The April Tennessee Bar Journal explores the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act in an article by Eli Richardson, Ross Booher and Taylor Phillips. Gina Cook and Donald Benson explain employment torts and columnist Dan Holbrook describes a $14 million estate plan that went terribly wrong. President Buck Lewis points out the perils of judicial elections mixed with campaign contributions, Don Paine covers requests for admissions, while Bill Haltom suggests a federal bailout for rabbit ears.
Read the TBJ online
Avis benefits 'try harder'
TBA members are offered a rental car discount through Avis. Enroll in the Avis Preferred Service at www.avisawards.com to bypass the rental counter and go directly to your car for a faster, easier rental experience. Enter code AWD# A570100.

 
 
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About this publication: Today's News is a compilation of digests of news reports of interest to Tennessee lawyers compiled by TBA staff, links to digested press releases, and occasional stories about the TBA and other activities written by the TBA staff or members. Statements or opinions herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Tennessee Bar Association, its officers, board or staff.
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