Make plans now to join colleagues from across the state at the TBA’s 2025 Annual Convention, set for June 11-14, in the Nashville suburb of Franklin. Annual favorites such as the Bench/Bar program and luncheon, Lawyers Luncheon and the swearing in of TBA’s new president will return, as will the Wednesday night welcome reception and an expanded Thursday evening reception. This year’s convention also will include a tech showcase component, allowing attendees to get a more hands-on experience with exhibitors. The four-day event will take place at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs, located 20 minutes from downtown Nashville with easy access to I-65 and free parking. Stay tuned for more information!

The Tennessee Supreme Court censured Rutherford County lawyer Kirk D. Catron on Jan. 14. Catron represented a client in a child support modification and did no work on the matter for 14 months. He then recommended the client settle the matter, and he provided a proposed order for the client’s review which included a blank child support worksheet. The client declined to agree until he saw proof of income of the mother. The next day, however, Catron entered the order without notifying his client or providing a copy to him. These actions violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 3.2 and 8.4(d).

The Tennessee Supreme Court censured Hamilton County lawyer Cindy Powell Bice on Jan. 14. The court reports that while representing a client in a child support modification case, Bice disclosed confidential information and failed to withdraw from representation in a timely manner in violation of Rules of Professional Conduct 1.6(a), 1.9(c) and 1.16(a)(3) and (d). After the client posted a negative online public Google Review of Bice’s legal services, Bice posted a public response with detailed confidential information about the client, including references to payment for legal services, a contempt action for failure to pay child support, the client’s disability, the hearing date and attorney-client communications. The court also found that between 2015 and 2023, Bice posted online responses to four negative client reviews, revealing confidential information about former clients’ representation, including disclosure of fee amounts paid, legal advice given, actions/inactions by the clients, and other information. In addition to the censure, the court ordered Bice to complete three extra hours of CLE about client confidentiality and online/social media use within 90 days.

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The Tennessee Supreme Court has suspended White County lawyer John Edward Hutson from the practice of law for two years, with six months to be served on active suspension and the remainder on probation. The court conditioned the probation on compliance with a Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program (TLAP) contract and the engagement of a practice monitor for six months following reinstatement. The suspension was imposed in response to one complaint that Hutson knowingly provided financial assistance to a client; entered into a business transaction with the client to obtain services for repayment of the funds; and made overtures and requests for a personal relationship with the client, which materially limited his representation of the client and was prejudicial to the administration of justice. The court determined that these actions violated Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct 1.7(a)(2), 1.8 and 8.4(a) and (d).

The Memphis Bar Association's (MBA) Second Saturday Legal Advice Clinic originally scheduled for tomorrow has been canceled due to inclement weather. The clinic will next be held on the second Saturday in February. To sponsor a future clinic, contact Mary Ann Upchurch at maupchurch@memphisbar.org. Questions about the clinic should be directed to Memphis Area Legal Services Pro Bono Managing Attorney Heather Staggs at hstaggs@malsi.org.

Acting U.S. Attorney for Tennessee’s Middle District Tom Jaworski has joined the Nashville office of Epstein Becker Green as a member of the firm. He will handle health care matters with a focus on investigations and enforcement. Jaworski served as acting U.S. attorney starting in October 2024 following the departure of Henry Leventis, who joined the Nashville office of Holland & Knight. Jaworski previously served as first assistant U.S. attorney. Prior to joining the Nashville-based prosecutor’s office, Jaworski served as a trial attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Criminal Division in Washington, D.C., where he focused on health care fraud, kickback crimes and money laundering. Read more in a release from the firm.

The U.S. Judicial Conference will not refer U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas or Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for probes into whether they violated ethics rules for alleged disclosure failures. Notification of the decision came in letters to two federal lawmakers and a conservative think tank that had sought the referrals. According to the ABA Journal, the lawmakers were concerned about reports that Thomas failed to disclose financial dealings with two wealthy individuals, while the Center for Renewing America sought Jackson’s referral based on allegations she failed to disclosure some of her husband’s consulting income as well as private contributions to her investiture celebration. The conference noted that both justices had amended their disclosure statements to address these issues, but also expressed skepticism that it even has the authority to refer justices to the DOJ.

The University of Memphis Cecil C Humphreys School of Law is hosting the American Moot Court Association (AMCA) National Tournament this weekend and is seeking volunteers to serve as judges on Saturday. Volunteer judges will ask questions, evaluate arguments and provide feedback to college student participants. Two-hour time slots available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. CST and from 1-3 p.m. CST. Sign up to volunteer here. Questions? Contact Derrick Shawver at dwshwyer@memphis.edu.