A news item in yesterday's issue of TBA Today inadvertently omitted the docket number to be cited when filing a comment about a proposed amendment to Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, section 10.1. Comments should be submitted by July 26 and should reference docket number ADM2024-00922. Comments may be emailed to Appellate Court Clerk James Hivner or mailed to 100 Supreme Court Building, 401 7th Ave. N., Nashville, TN 37219.

Back by popular demand, the TBA is returning to Cuba Feb. 6-10, 2025! This uniquely designed program will explore Cuba’s rich and varied cultural heritage and feature local scholars, attorneys and entrepreneurs, all while providing six hours of CLE credit. Activities include an Ernest Hemingway tour, tour of Cuba’s classic cars, visit to the Museum of Cuban Art and more! Get trip details and instructions for registering.

The Tennessee Supreme Court today conditioned reinstatement of Davidson County lawyer Wendy Sue O’Neill on her completion of continuing legal education requirements. O’Neill petitioned the court for reinstatement on June 20. The court indicated that if the requirements are not met by Aug. 12, then the reinstatement petition will be dismissed.

The Tennessee Supreme Court in partnership with Legal Aid of East Tennessee, the Tennessee Alliance of Legal Services (TALS) and the Knoxville Bar Association (KBA) will hold a minority-owned business advice legal clinic on July 18 from 4-6 p.m. EDT. The event will take place at the Knoxville Area Urban League, 1514 East 5th Ave., Knoxville 37917 and pre-registration is required. View a flyer for the clinic.

Retired Sullivan County Chancellor E.G. Moody died June 16 at the age of 79 years. Moody earned his law degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1971 and practiced with the Kingsport law firm of Hawkins, Moody, Bingham and Miller for 35 years. He was elected to the 2nd Judicial District Chancery Court in September 2006 and retired in 2022 after 16 years of service. Among his professional accomplishments, Moody presided over the landmark “Baby Doe” case against opioid manufacturers, which yielded a $35 million settlement. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to The Crumley House, 300 Urbana Rd., Limestone, TN 37681, or a charity of the donor’s choice. Read reflections from those who worked with him from WJHL.

The Knoxville Bar Foundation inducted 10 new fellows during a reception yesterday. The new members are: Joshua J. Bond, Donald J. Farinato, Bryce E. Fitzgerald, Janet S. Hayes, Joan M. Heminway, Benjamin W. Jones, B. Chase Kibler, James S. MacDonald, Brandon L. Morrow and Robert P. Noell. The foundation is a not-for-profit entity established to improve public awareness of the legal system in Knoxville, the administration of justice, and the delivery of legal services through its grant program. Read more in this release. See a photo of the group.

The Tennessee Supreme Court today issued an order soliciting comments on a proposal from the Board of Professional Responsibility to amend Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, section 10.1 regarding the confidentiality of attorneys’ contact information. On June 18, the board petitioned the court to amend its rules to “classify as confidential and not public record the personal addresses and contact information Tennessee attorneys provide to the board.” Comments should be submitted by July 26 and should reference docket number ADM2024-00922. Comments may be emailed to Appellate Court Clerk James Hivner or mailed to 100 Supreme Court Building, 401 7th Ave. N., Nashville, TN 37219.

A third lawsuit has been filed against Johnson City, its police force and more than two dozen officers by a woman who says police took bribes to protect a serial rapist, WJHL reports. Mikayla Evans alleges that local businessman Sean Williams drugged her and then pushed her from a fifth-story window during an attempted sexual assault. Tennessee Lookout reports that she suffered life-threatening injuries that left her bedridden for two years. The suit also alleges that in exchange for cash, police did not investigate, arrest or charge Williams; intentionally destroyed evidence; and allowed Williams to destroy evidence. The new suit is the latest in an ongoing investigation. Last year, a lawsuit filed by nine women alleged a wider corrupt scheme by Johnson City police to shield Williams after he was accused of sexual assault by multiple women. In 2022, former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kateri Dahl filed a whistleblower suit against the city and police chief arguing that her efforts to investigate Williams were thwarted. Williams is currently in federal custody awaiting trial on federal and state charges connected to sexual exploitation of children and a previous escape from custody.

A majority of respondents to a Vanderbilt University poll expressed dissatisfaction with how democracy functions. According to the school, its “Unity Poll” found that 63% were either dissatisfied or very dissatisfied. When broken down by party, 68% of Republicans and 57% of Democrats expressed this view. The poll also showed that 49% believe American democracy is under attack (53% for Republicans and 35% for Democrats). The poll found similar patterns when asking whether the U.S. Constitution is under attack.

Federal judges in Kansas and Missouri this week blocked much of the Biden administration’s recent effort to ease student loan repayment burdens for millions of borrowers, the Associated Press reports. The new program would have gone into effect on July 1. Kansas-based Judge Daniel Crabtree did allow one part of the program to go forward, namely a provision allowing students who borrowed $12,000 or less to have the rest of their loans forgiven if they make 10 years’ worth of payments, instead of the standard 25. Missouri-based Judge John Ross ruled that the U.S. Department of Education cannot forgive loan balances going forward, but it can lower monthly payments. Last year, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected the president’s first attempt at a forgiveness plan saying the department had exceeded the authority granted by Congress.