Wilson County lawyer Mitchell Jeffery Ferguson received a public censure from the Tennessee Supreme Court on April 17. Ferguson was appointed to represent a client who was charged with several felonies, including first degree murder. During the representation, Ferguson failed to appear for multiple court hearings and failed to communicate with the court and his client about hearing dates and absences. The Supreme Court also found that he failed to provide communication or copies of legal documents to the client and failed to meet with the client for trial preparation. His inaction resulted in multiple continuances, removal from the case and postponement of the client’s murder trial, thereby prejudicing the administration of justice. His actions violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3, 1.4, 3.2 and 8.4(d).

Shelby County lawyer Robert Andrew Pope received a public censure from the Tennessee Supreme Court on April 16. The court found that Pope violated Rule of Professional Conduct 8.1(b) when he failed to disclose a material fact regarding his termination from the Tennessee Department of Corrections while his bar admission application was pending.

The law license of Hardeman County lawyer William Boyette Denton was transferred to disability inactive status on April 11. Denton cannot practice law while on inactive status but may return to the practice of law after showing that his disability has been removed and being reinstated.

The Tennessee Supreme Court and the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) released a statement following the General Assembly’s approval of $17 million for a new indigent representation plan. The groups say the funding “will enable the Judicial Branch to address challenges with the retention and compensation of appointed counsel and enhance the delivery of indigent services across the state.” Chief Justice Holly Kirby also said, “This funding puts us in a financial position to take a transformational step forward to safeguard the fair and impartial administration of justice in Tennessee. It is the result of many hands and hearts working together to figure out a new and effective system to deliver representation to those who cannot afford counsel. Heartfelt thanks to our legislative leaders, the Governor’s Office, the district attorneys general and district public defenders across the state, and the Tennessee Bar Association for their collective effort and vision." Kirby also thanked the judges and appointed attorneys who “passionately and capably communicated … struggles with the current system and helped … formulate a new way forward.” Read the full statement.

The Tennessee Senate has passed SR120, Action News 5 reports. The resolution, sponsored by Sen. Brent Taylor, R-Memphis, calls for the Tennessee Supreme Court to establish a Judicial Review Committee to investigate three district attorneys general (DAs): Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy, Davidson County District Attorney Glenn Funk and District Attorney Chris Stanford, who serves Warren and Van Buren counties. The resolution also asks the Supreme Court to create a review board that would mirror the Board of Judicial Conduct but oversee district attorneys, court clerks and public defenders according to the Commercial Appeal. “After discussions with Senate leadership, we agreed the serious nature of these allegations warrant a judicial — rather than legislative — review,” Taylor said. The senator had introduced a resolution in January that would have created a committee of legislators to investigate Mulroy. It was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee but never considered.

TBA’s member benefit partner Clio has released the 2025 Legal Trends for Mid-Sized Law Firms Report, which examines key trends shaping mid-sized law firms and provides data and insights to navigate industry shifts. For the first time, this year’s report explored hourly rates by firm size, finding that mid-sized law firms charge higher average hourly rates than smaller firms for both lawyers and non-lawyer professionals, and see greater variation in the rates charged than smaller firms. The report also looks at the prevalence of AI, use of flat fee billing structures, marketing modes for lead generation and spending on software programs. Read more highlights or view the full report.

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on President Donald Trump's effort to end birthright citizenship on May 15. The government is seeking to enforce the president’s executive order ending the guarantee of citizenship to almost everyone born in the United States. The court left in place orders by three federal judges, which had prohibited the government from enforcing the executive order anywhere in the country, until it rules on the matter. Read more about the case history from SCOTUSblog.

A U.S. judicial panel has voted to abandon a core part of a proposed rule aimed at increasing disclosure of who funds friend-of-the-court briefs by outside groups, Reuters reports. The proposal would have required non-profits, charities or trade associations that file amicus briefs to disclose when a party in a case contributed 25% or more of the organization's annual revenue. The rule had drawn criticism from associations, some judges and the U.S. Department of Justice. However, the panel did approve a proposal requiring an amicus brief filer to name any donor who earmarked money for preparation of the brief if that person or entity had been a member of the organization for less than 12 months. That proposed rule now goes to the Judicial Conference's Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure for its consideration.

The Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville and its Volunteer Lawyers & Professionals for the Arts (VLPA) program will hold a clinic on May 7 for those needing legal advice on issues surrounding their creative practice. The free 30-minute in-person appointments are available to income-qualified artists, musicians, creatives and arts organizations in the state. The clinic will run from 6-8 p.m. CDT at the Belmont College of Law, Randall and Sadie Baskin Center, 1901 15th Ave. S., Nashville 37212. Those needing help should register by May 2. To volunteer at the clinic email vlpa@abcnashville.org.

Sevier County lawyer Tommy Joe Norton received a public censure from the Tennessee Supreme Court on April 15. The court found that Norton violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3, 1.4, 3.2, 3.4 and 8.4(d) while representing four clients. During this time, Norton closed his office and changed his phone number but failed to inform clients of the changes, leaving them no way to contact him. The court also found that Norton failed to maintain communication with and diligently represent the clients. Additionally, in one case, Norton failed to appear in court and incorrectly advised his client not to appear. In a second case he asked for multiple continuances, which delayed the proceedings. And in another case, he essentially abandoned his client and failed to show up in court.