Memphis-based Assistant Federal Public Defender Tyrone Paylor has been named the Ashley T. Wiltshire Public Service Attorney of the Year for 2024. The award recognizes an attorney who has provided dedicated and outstanding representation to an indigent client in either a civil or criminal case. Paylor works in the Western District of Tennessee’s Memphis office and over the past 15 years has earned a reputation as a strong advocate for his clients and also a mentor to younger attorneys. “Tyrone’s insights have helped many attorneys in their approach to client recidivism, rehabilitation and pursuing justice,” former Federal Public Defender Brian Mounce says of Paylor. The Wiltshire award will be presented during a Public Service Breakfast June 13 in Memphis as part of the TBA Annual Convention. Read more about Paylor in the TBA’s press release.

The 2024 Elder Law Forum will take place in-person July 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. CDT at the Belmont University College of Law. This annual staple for Tennessee attorneys provides insight from top professionals while allowing attendees to meet with other lawyers in the practice area. This year’s forum features timely topics such as conservatorships, dementia, client intake, ethics, litigation in elder law and much more. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Don’t miss this once-a-year opportunity to learn and earn CLE with colleagues.

On April 4, the Tennessee Supreme Court temporarily suspended Shelia L. Robinson-Beasley. On May 7, Robinson-Beasley petitioned the court for a hearing on dissolution of the suspension. The court notes that the authority cited in the petition for a hearing — Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, section 30.4(c) — does not govern the process, but that it will proceed with a hearing before the Board of Professional Responsibility or a disciplinary panel in accordance with Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, section 12.3(d).

Virginia lawyer Atina Rizk Stavropoulos filed a petition for reinstatement of her Tennessee law license on April 29. In assessing the petition, the Board of Professional Responsibility found that Stavropoulos has outstanding obligations with the Tennessee Commission on Continuing Legal Education. The Tennessee Supreme Court has directed Stavropoulos to resolve those issues before June 24 or it will dismiss the petition for reinstatement.

The Tennessee Supreme Court has directed Hamilton County lawyer Shaheen Iltaf Imami to respond to its request regarding the imposition of reciprocal discipline. The response is due 30 days from receipt of the notice and should address why a public censure with conditions imposed by the state of Michigan should not also be imposed in Tennessee.

The Tennessee Bar Foundation, an association of 811 attorneys across the state, recently inducted 29 new fellows. See the full list of this year’s class. The Bar Foundation has a two-fold purpose: to recognize attorneys who have distinguished themselves in the community and the profession, and to administer a grant making program. Through the Interest on Lawyers' Trust Accounts (IOLTA) program, the foundation has awarded grants in excess of $27,000,000 to law-related and public interest projects throughout the state of Tennessee.

The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee and U.S. Rep. David Kustoff are inviting members of the legal community to attend a ceremony commemorating the naming of the courthouse at 111 S. Highland Ave. in Jackson as the James D. Todd United States Courthouse. The event will take place June 7 at 3 p.m. CDT. A reception will follow the ceremony. RSVP by May 17 to Cynthia Edwards, 470-312-3439. View the invitation. Kustoff's bill naming the courthouse passed the U.S. Congress in 2022. In a press release issued at the time Kustoff said, “For 36 years, Judge James Todd has displayed his faithfulness and commitment to the federal bench, to the legal profession and to the Constitution. Naming the courthouse for him “is a truly fitting tribute to such a respected jurist.”

Sen. Ken Yager, R-Kingston, has announced his candidacy for reelection to the Tennessee Senate. Yager, who serves in a key leadership role as the Chairman of the Senate Republican Caucus, is seeking a fifth term representing Senate District 12. In a statement, Yager said his tenure in the Senate has been “marked by a steadfast commitment to our community and local governments.” The LaFollette Press has his full announcement.

A Tennessee-based cleaning company has agreed to pay nearly $650,000 in civil penalties after federal investigators found the company employed at least 24 children at two slaughtering and meatpacking facilities, the U.S. Department of Labor has announced. Under the agreement, Fayette Janitorial Service LLC also must hire a third party to implement company policies to prevent the illegal employment of children and create a program for reporting concerns about child labor violations. The Labor Department obtained a preliminary injunction against the company in late February after an investigation discovered at least 24 children, including those as young as 13, were working overnight sanitation shifts at facilities in Iowa and Virginia. The Commercial Appeal has more from USA Today.

TikTok has sued to block a new law that requires it to divest from its parent company ByteDance or cease operations in the United States. The case likely will “spark a landmark clash over free speech, government power and the balance between open commerce and national security,” Reuters reports. The legal complaint argues broadly that the new law, which passed with bipartisan support, reflects an “extraordinary and unconstitutional assertion of power” that unfairly singles out TikTok. It also argues that the law puts all media at risk by circumventing free speech protections. U.S. officials have accused the company of sharing users' data with the Chinese government. The company has denied those claims.