The Administrative Office of the Courts regularly highlights judges who have a compelling life story or career path. A recent profile of 21st District Circuit Court Judge David Veile looks at the long but persistent journey Veile took to pursue his dream of becoming a Tennessee judge. Veile was elected in August to fill the seat of retired Judge Michael Binkley after applying several times for appointments to the bench. “I think I may hold the title of most nominated. I’m four out of four for nominations and the least appointed with zero out of four,” he says. Veile’s prior experience as a Metro Nashville Police Officer and criminal defense lawyer gives him perspective on both sides of cases. With two months on the job, Veile says he feels a different level of responsibility and is embracing the preparation needed for cases, calling it his “absolute dream job.”

The TBA Criminal Justice Section will host its annual forum on Dec. 5 with a focus on exploring how lawyers can ethically and effectively manage media relations in high-profile cases. Based on personal experience and real-world scenarios, News Channel 5 reporter Nick Beres — along with former reporter turned lawyer Amy Mohan, criminal defense expert David Raybin and communications expert Eric Kowalczyk — will detail the balance between protecting a client's legal interests and shaping the public narrative. The session will address avoiding common pitfalls, complying with ethical obligations and utilizing communication strategies to safeguard both legal outcomes and clients' reputations. Learn more and register here. Criminal Justice Section members enjoy a discounted rate. Not a section member yet? Join here.

Some 30 lawyers have had their credentials misused to fraudulently secure trademark protections, a growing problem facing the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO), Bloomberg Law reports. Scammers have faked application materials, misused attorney credentials or used social engineering to hijack applicants’ accounts to file fraudulent applications. According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), more than a third of the 2.8 million trademark applications received by the PTO may be false or inaccurate. The GAO advised the PTO to more regularly assess fraud risk of the trademark register while improving its data systems for stronger risk management. The PTO is encouraging lawyers to help spread the word about these scams.

Aspiring lawyers consistently have given law schools high marks over the past two decades, with about 80% rating their experience as either “good” or “excellent.” This year’s Law School Survey of Student Engagement is no different, according to Reuters. The survey also revealed that satisfaction rates among students of color remained consistently lower than among white counterparts. The survey found that 84% of white students rated their overall law school experience as good or excellent, whereas just 67% of Black students and 77% of Latino students gave similar high ratings. The survey, conducted by Indiana University's Center for Postsecondary Research, marked its 20th edition this year with a look back at how student diversity, debt loads, career plans and satisfaction levels have changed — or not — over the years.

The Tennessee Supreme Court summarily suspended Knox County lawyer Adam Sanford Moncier from the practice of law on Nov. 21 for failure to comply with continuing legal education requirements. The court noted that Moncier was provided notice of the noncompliance 90 days ago. The suspension took effective immediately. Moncier may file an application for reinstatement upon demonstrating compliance with the rules. The filing comes as a supplement to the court’s annual order suspending 123 attorneys in August.

The Tennessee Supreme Court on Nov. 25 suspended 10 attorneys for failure to pay the annual registration fee; nine of them also failed to file proof that client funds are held in an IOLTA-compliant account. View the fee suspension order and IOLTA suspension order. See the list of all lawyers suspended and reinstated for fee and IOLTA violations in 2024 or access all administrative suspensions dating back to 2005.

A story that ran in yesterday's issue of TBA Today was based on an early 2024 Axios article regarding the governor’s budget for FY 2024-2025. To clarify, that budget is not the 2025-2026 budget, which is currently under development and has not been released. We regret the error and any confusion this may have caused.

A consumer law and conservatorship clinic sponsored by Memphis Area Legal Services (MALS) in partnership with The Hub will take place tomorrow from 1-3 p.m. CST. The clinic, which is held on the fourth Wednesday of the month, will be at 590 Washington Ave., Memphis 38105. Sign up to volunteer here or contact Heather Staggs, 901-255-3421 with any questions.

Earlier today a story ran in TBA Today based on an early 2024 Axios article regarding the governor’s budget for FY 2024-2025. To clarify, that budget is not the 2025-2026 budget, which is currently under development and has not been released. We regret the error and any confusion this may have caused.

Tennessee State House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland, and Caucus Chair Jeremy Faison, R-Cosby, are unopposed in their bids for reelection to their leadership positions in the House, the Tennessee Journal reports. One race will see a contested election: Rep. Jody Barrett, R-Dickson, is challenging Rep. Paul Sherrell, R-Sparta, for floor leader. House Democrats, by contrast, saw contested elections in two key leadership races. House Minority Leader Karen Camper faced a challenge from fellow Memphian Rep. G.A. Hardaway, while Democratic Caucus Chair John Ray Clemmons, D-Nashville, faced a challenge from Rep. Justin J. Pearson, D-Memphis, for caucus chair. Both incumbents were reelected. In the Senate, Majority Leader Jack Johnson, R-Franklin, was reelected while Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, and Caucus Chair Ken Yager, R-Kingston, were renominated, the Nashville Post reports. Democratic members reelected Minority Leader Raumesh Akbari and Caucus Chair London Lamar, both of Memphis, and Vice Chair Charlane Oliver of Nashville, Chattanoogan.com reports.