Hamilton County lawyer Kent Thomas Jones has been reinstated to the active practice of law. He had been suspended for 90 days on Feb. 26. Jones filed a petition for reinstatement on June 5. The Board of Professional Responsibility found that the petition was satisfactory but directed Jones to pay half of the costs of the disciplinary hearing within 30 days and the remaining amount within 60 days.

The Tennessee Supreme Court has suspended Knox County lawyer Jonathan William Doolan from the practice of law for nine months, with one month to be served on active suspension and the remainder on probation with conditions. According to the court’s order, Doolan must contract with the Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program and comply with any of its recommendations. The action was taken based on two complaints that Doolan failed to reasonably communicate with his clients, act in a diligent manner, expedite litigation, respond to discovery requests in a timely manner, properly withdraw from representation, work within the scope of his representation, take reasonable steps to protect the client’s interest after terminating representation, and comply with requests for information from disciplinary counsel. Doolan agreed to a conditional guilty plea acknowledging his conduct violated Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.16, 3.2, 3.4 and 8.1.

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti has sent a letter to three of the nation’s leading credit card financial institutions warning them of the need to comply with the “Tennessee Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act,” by July 1. The letter, sent to American Express, Mastercard and Visa, asks them to outline how they will comply with the law, which prohibits the use of merchant category codes to target firearms dealers. In other action this week, Skrmetti and Secretary of State Tre Hargett urged Tennesseans to remain vigilant against the rising threat of celebrity scams, whereby the name or likeness of a celebrity is used to scam consumers.

Celeste Murphy, the former police chief of the Chattanooga Police Department faces felony and misdemeanor criminal charges following an investigation by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), Chattanoogan.com reports. The arrest comes one day after Murphy stepped down from her role. TBI agents began investigating Murphy’s residency in April. This week, the Hamilton County Grand Jury returned a 17-count indictment, charging her with one count of illegal voter registration, one count of false entries on official registration or election documents, three counts of false entries in governmental records, three counts of forgery, three counts of perjury, and six counts of official misconduct. She was released on a $19,000 bond after booking.

Three parents have filed a class action lawsuit against the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (DCS) in conjunction with Disability Rights Tennessee, the Daily Memphian reports. The complaint alleges that children and youth with disabilities at the Wilder Youth Development Center and other DCS facilities across Tennessee are denied adequate education, spend long periods in confinement, are given inadequate mental health treatment, are overprescribed medicine, and are not given appropriate medical care. The suit also alleges that confined youth are exposed to dangerous conditions like mold, bugs and violence from peers. Youth in facilities other than Wilder also are punished with pepper spray, and officers often encourage peer-on-peer violence with rewards, according to the filing. In other reporting, the Nashville Banner says the suit alleges youth are subjected to "horrific experiences." The class action was filed yesterday in U.S. District Court’s Middle District of Tennessee. It also names the state, DCS Commissioner Margie Quin and Tennessee Department of Education Commissioner Lizzette Gonzalez Reynolds as defendants.

The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) is out with a new episode of Tennessee Court Talk featuring Tennessee Court of Appeals Judge Steve Stafford discussing the difference between being impartial and understanding tough situations. Tune in to hear AOC Digital Media Lead Nick Morgan interview Stafford about the role of the appellate courts and how judges balance the interests that come before them, especially when cases are personal or involve difficult situations. Access Episode 32: Humanizing the Bench here.

Registration is now open for the next free advice clinic for Black-owned small businesses and nonprofits, set for July 19 in Nashville. The clinic, sponsored by the Arts & Business Council's Volunteer Lawyers & Professionals for the Arts and Bradley, provides assistance with business formation and corporate governance, review of contracts and guidance in navigating local ordinances and state regulations. Prospective clients should register by July 15. Attorneys should email vlpa@abcnashville.org to volunteer.

Bradley County Juvenile Court recently hosted its 14th Junior Master Gardening graduation ceremony with 12 new graduates of the program, Chattanoogan.com reports. The program, overseen by General Sessions Judge Andrew B. Morgan, provides a positive learning experience for youth to develop leadership, responsibility and community pride through organized gardening activities. The court initiated the program in 2013 and has since graduated 159 graduates with only 16 individuals reoffending. “I’ve always believed the best way to ensure sustainability is through hard work,” Morgan says. “These kids have learned valuable skills and have been mentored by some amazing volunteers who have shared both knowledge and a caring heart over the past several weeks.”

Sevier County native Keith Cole will be sworn in as the county’s newest general sessions judge on July 1. He was appointed by the Sevier County Board of Commissioners on Monday to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Jeff Rader earlier this month, WATE reports. Cole will serve until a special election is held in 2026. “I am deeply honored by the trust the Sevier County Board of Commissioners has placed in me. I look forward to tackling the challenges that come with this position and promise to do my absolute best for the people of Sevier County,” Cole said. Cole is a 2013 graduate of Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law. He has worked as assistant district attorney in the Fourth Judicial District Attorney General's Office since 2014.

Cynthia “Cyndi” Fields Davis of Pikeville died June 24 at the age of 55. Davis was an attorney in private practice in Crossville. She earned her law degree from the Nashville School of Law. A celebration of life was held in Pikeville. Burial followed at the Blankenship Cemetery. Condolences may be shared at www.pikevillefuneralhome.com.