McGlinchey Stafford has announced the appointment of Will Wojcik as the new managing member of its Nashville office. Wojcik replaces Shaun Ramey, who opened McGlinchey’s Nashville office and had served as office managing member since 2018. Ramey will continue his role as chair of the firm’s national financial services litigation practice. Wojcik, who joined McGlinchey in 2023, focuses his practice on corporate, transactional, governance and tax matters, as well as construction defect, real estate, contract and zoning disputes. He earned his law degree from Vanderbilt Law School and a master of laws in taxation from New York University School of Law.

Strong demand across practice areas, higher billing rates and the expansion of non-equity partner tiers helped bolster law firm profits in 2024 according to the 2025 State of the Legal Market report from Thomson Reuters. The report found that law firms' average hourly rates shot up 6.5%, the biggest jump since the financial crisis nearly two decades ago. According to Law.com, the report characterized the increase as "defying gravity," The annual report also looks at significant shifts in law firm business models and the challenges firms will face in the coming year, including retaining talent and reacting to technological advancements that could impact legal services, client expectations and pricing models. Law firms this year will need to "navigate a complex landscape shaped by shifting demand and expense dynamics,” according to the study. Learn more in this news article or this press release.

Davidson County Chancellor Anne Martin heard arguments this week in a legal challenge to the $3.1 billion transit referendum approved by Nashville voters in November. The Committee to Stop an Unfair Tax claims that the inclusion of sidewalks and traffic signals in the plan exceeds the scope allowed under the state’s Improve Act and argues that voters were misled about the project's costs. Metro attorneys countered that the plaintiffs should have raised their concerns before the election, emphasizing that there have been no allegations of illegal voting or widespread confusion. Martin said a decision would be forthcoming, according to the Nashville Post.

Gov. Bill Lee told reporters yesterday that he is considering calling for a special legislative session to consider a statewide private school voucher program and storm relief for areas hard hit by the remnants of Hurricane Helene. Nashville Public Radio reports that Lee said he had not determined if or when the special session would take place, but indicated it would be sooner than later if held. Democratic lawmakers responded, criticizing the idea of combining disaster relief with the voucher program, the Nashville Banner reports. Also, during the press conference, Lee reiterated his commitment to help President-elect Donald Trump with planned deportations, including deploying the Tennessee National Guard if requested. Lee joined other governors in signing a letter to the effect in December, according to Axios Nashville. Tennessee’s 114th General Assembly is scheduled to convene next Tuesday.

The TBA Tort & Insurance Law Section will hold its 2025 annual forum on Feb. 20 via Zoom. The program will feature sessions on first party claims, health care liability and an ethics course dedicated to the fine art of thriving in your practice without being a jerk. Make plans now to join colleagues starting at 9 a.m. CST for this two-hour program.

The Tennessee Supreme Court has issued a public censure to Kentucky lawyer Darren Craig Lamb. A complaint was filed by an individual formerly in a romantic relationship with Lamb. Following the end of the relationship, the individual sought and was granted a temporary order of protection. The court found that Lamb violated the order by repeatedly contacting the individual, including posting notice of a suit for nonpayment of a personal loan on the individual’s front door. The suit was never filed but Lamb completed the section of the form normally filled out by the court clerk’s office to create the false impression that a suit was pending. Lamb was charged with harassment, stalking and contempt charges. He entered a no contest plea and received judicial diversion. The court determined that his actions violated Rules of Professional Conduct 4.1 and 8.4(b), (c), (d) and (g). The court conditioned the censure on compliance with a Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program (TLAP) monitoring agreement.

Attorney Protective (AttPro) is a TBA Member Insurance Solutions’ preferred malpractice insurance provider. An AttPro policy has it all, and then some. On all new policies, standard malpractice coverage includes first dollar defense, coverage into retirement, five ways to cut your deductible, loss of earnings payments during a claim, no deductible impact, enhanced supplemental payments, access to an attorney-staffed hotline, ethics credits and more. Access more information or get a quote on the TBA website.

The Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands (LAS) will hold three legal advice clinics this week. Tomorrow, the group will hold a clinic for veterans from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Operation Stand Down, 1125 12th Ave. S., Nashville 37203. On Thursday, a walk-in clinic will take place from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at Greenhouse Ministries, 309 S. Academy St., Murfreesboro 37130. On Saturday, the group will hold its McHugh Clinic from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Nashville Public Library's Edgehill Branch, 1409 12th Ave S, Nashville 37203. All times central. Get details and links to sign up for each clinic on the LAS online calendar.

Belmont College of Law is looking for volunteers to help with a power of attorney (POA) clinic at Casa Azafran on Jan. 11 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. CST. Morning and afternoon shifts are available, and lunch will be provided. Lawyers who volunteer will be helping clients fill out POAs for care of a minor child alongside two Belmont law students. Translators will be provided. To sign up to help, please email Ginny.Blake@belmont.edu.

Gov. Bill Lee last month pardoned 43 individuals who had served their sentences and been out of prison for at least five years. Lee said the individuals had demonstrated "exemplary citizenship" since their release. Among the group were seven individuals represented by Nashville criminal defense lawyer Ben Raybin with Raybin & Weissman PC. According to an email sent by Ben’s father David Raybin, this accomplishment marks the “most pardons any lawyer has ever acquired in a single year, except of course Gov. Ray Blanton's legal counsel, who took a cut of the bribes in the 1975 clemency-for-cash scandal.” According to the elder Raybin, less than 10% of applicants get pardons, making Ben’s work extraordinary. He also notes that the individuals now should be able to get their rights restored, and in most cases, a full expungement of their criminal record.