U.S. District Judge Kelley Hodge in Philadelphia has rejected a tree-trimming company’s request for a preliminary injunction against the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) ban on noncompete agreements. Hodge said the agency has the power to ban practices that it deems anticompetitive, Reuters reports. By contrast, a federal judge in Texas earlier this month blocked the FTC from enforcing the rule against a coalition of business groups while they pursue legal challenges, but did not issue a nationwide injunction. The FTC adopted the ban in April. It estimates that about 30 million people, or 20% of U.S. workers, have signed noncompete agreements.

If you’re tired of performing “find and replace surgery” on word processor documents, this comparison chart will help you pick a document automation tool to make document creation quicker, easier and error-proof. Find this and more in the Document Automation and Assembly section of TBA’s Law Firm in a Box.

Make plans now to Join Davidson County Circuit Court Judge Phillip Robinson for an informative family law CLE on Aug. 5 from 8 a.m. to noon CDT. Co-sponsored by the TBA Family Law Section, the event will focus on financial and tax planning in divorce, a Q&A session with the judge and updates from the 3rd Circuit Court. The program will take place in the Davidson County Courthouse Jury Room.

Virginia lawyer Justin Grey Woodward has been censured by the Tennessee Supreme Court. The court found that while representing a client in a contract dispute, Woodward failed to take prompt action after filing a lawsuit, resulting in a significant delay in the proceedings. He also failed to keep his client updated regarding the status of the proceedings or respond to his client’s requests for information. These actions were determined to violate Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3, 1.4, 1.16(a) and 3.2.

Wilson County lawyer Lindsey Leigh Lawrence has received a public censure from the Tennessee Supreme Court. The court found that in the representation of clients in a civil proceeding, Lawrence failed to file a reply to a counterclaim in compliance with applicable rules, failed to respond to written discovery (resulting in dismissal of her clients’ claims) and failed to keep clients advised of case status. In another case, Lawrence failed to pay an adult ward’s ongoing expenses, resulting in her removal as conservator by the court. Her actions were determined to violate Rule of Professional Conduct 1.3, 1.4 and 3.2.

Davidson County lawyer Sheryl D. Guinn has received a public censure from the Tennessee Supreme Court. The court found that she filed a health care liability lawsuit against a psychiatrist who treated her client at the urging of the client even though she did not believe there was a good faith basis for the suit. Guinn charged her client a $3,000 retainer and filed the suit. The other side was successful in getting the suit dismissed and the court awarded sanctions against Guinn. These actions were determined to violate Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1, 1.5, 3.1 and 8.4(d).

Knoxville lawyer Kenneth M. Gresham Jr. died July 18 at the age of 97. Gresham served in the Navy in World War II. After his service, he graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Law and began practicing with his father in the firm of Gresham and Gresham Attorneys. In the mid-1950s, he served as part time assistant attorney general. He later joined Howard G. Hogan in the practice of law and finished his legal career as “of counsel” in firm of Testerman, Warren and Roden. For 50 years, Gresham also was co-owner and president of Warranty Title Insurance Co. He retired in 2007. He also served for a time on the Federal Land Commission, deciding numerous federal condemnation actions. A graveside service took place today at Greenwood Cemetery in Knoxville. Memorial donations may be made to Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 4904 Asheville Hwy., Knoxville, TN 37914.

The next legal clinic for veterans in Knoxville will take place Aug. 14 from 12-1 p.m. EDT at the Knox County Public Defender's Community Law Office in Knoxville. This is a general advice clinic sponsored by the Knoxville Bar Association, KBA Barristers, Legal Aid of East Tennessee, Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law, the University of Tennessee College of Law, the Knox County Public Defender’s Community Law Office and the local Veterans Affairs office. Sign up to volunteer here.

The Knoxville Bar Association (KBA) will hold a free event with the Tennessee Innocence Project (TIP) tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. EDT. It will feature a conversation with Joyce Watkins, a TIP client, who became the first Black woman to be exonerated in Tennessee after spending 27 years in prison for a crime she did not commit. The event will be held at the Landing House, 1147 Sevier Ave., Knoxville 37920. Members of the public are invited to attend. To RSVP, complete this registration form.

The Shelby County General Sessions Civil Court is seeking commitments from lawyers to volunteer as special judges when other sitting judges are not available to preside over a case. Those interested in serving in this capacity must meet the basic qualifications of TCA 8-18-101, be at least 30 years of age, a resident of the state for five years, a resident of the circuit or district for one year, and licensed to practice law in Tennessee. To be considered submit a letter of interest by email to Michelle McElhaney or by fax to 901-222-3415.