The 2024 TBA Leadership Law class met recently in Knoxville for its “Issues in Community Leadership” program. Class members heard from Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Dwight E. Tarwater, who spoke on “Leadership in 6 Words”; University of Tennessee College of Law Associate Professor and Clinical Programs Director Joy Radice, who spoke about pro bono efforts to expunge criminal charges and restore citizenship rights; LMU Duncan School of Law Professor Mohamed Akram Faizer, who presented on “Being Appreciative of Yourself and Others;” and Knoxville lawyer Robbie Pryor, with Pryor, Priest & Harber, who shared his experiences of navigating life as a lawyer. The group also heard from a number of community leaders, including Dr. Charles F. Lomax, president and chief executive officer of the Knoxville Area Urban League; Rev. Reneè Kesler, president of the Beck Cultural Exchange Center; and attorney Chloe Akers, president and founder of The Best of Tennessee Inc.

TBA's Law Firm in a Box offers insight on artificial intelligence (AI) for lawyers. See white papers on "Vetting AI for Attorneys" and "VR, AR, and AI in a Real Law Firm." These, and other tech and law practice tips, are part of a collection of hundreds of resources available to TBA members. Check them out in the Law Firm in a Box's Technology Section.

Sullivan County lawyer Nicholas C. Cooper was reinstated to the practice of law recently after being on inactive status for more than five years. The Tennessee Supreme Court notes that Cooper was placed on inactive status on May 3, 2011. The Board of Professional Responsibility found the reinstatement petition to be satisfactory and recommended the court approve it. Cooper was reinstated as of March 12.

The Petitioner, Patrick Marshall, appeals the Lake County Circuit Court’s summary dismissal of his petition for writ of habeas corpus relief. Based on our review, we affirm the summary dismissal of the petition.

In this appeal, the employee asserts the trial court erred in granting the employer’s motion for summary judgment and dismissing his petition with prejudice. The employer asserts that the employee’s claim is barred by the statute of limitations because he failed to timely file a petition for workers’ compensation benefits within one year of the alleged accident. The employer also contends it did not issue payments to or on behalf of the employee related to his claim for benefits within one year of the alleged accident. The court granted summary judgment based on the expiration of the statute of limitations, and the employee has appealed. Having thoroughly considered the record on appeal, we affirm and certify as final the trial court’s order.

The Tennessee Department of Revenue will host a free live webinar on March 26 at 9 a.m. CDT to discuss recent franchise and excise tax law changes included in the 2023 Tennessee Works Tax Act. The webinar will highlight the changes and how they affect the fiscal year end tax return. Learn more or register here. The webinar is one in a series of educational sessions held by the department each month.

A bill sponsored by Sen. Jeff Yarbro, D-Nashville, passed the full state Senate last week, according to the Nashville Post, but has not been passed by the House Children and Family Affairs Subcommittee yet. The bill, SB1048/HB1032 would set new caseload requirements for the Department of Children’s Services (DCS) and require the department to employ special response team personnel to help maintain standard caseloads. DCS also would have to notify the governor, members of the General Assembly and the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth if requirements are not met.

The death of Max Shelton, Memphis lawyer and founding member of Harris Shelton Hanover Walsh, was announced by the firm. An obituary posted by the firm recounts milestones in Shelton’s career, from his early years as a health care attorney in 1965, to his work as an arbitrator and mediator, and then in his role as a trusted advisor for both clients and young lawyers. Shelton was a founding member of the Tennessee Society of Hospital Attorneys, which later became the TBA’s Health Law Section. He also was active in organizing and participating in the TBA’s annual Ski CLE program. In the local legal community, he served as president of the Memphis Bar Association and was the 2014 recipient of the Pillars of Excellence Award from the University of Memphis Alumni Association’s Law Chapter. The firm sums up Shelton’s contributions saying, “Max’s dedication, integrity and unwavering commitment to excellence have left an indelible mark on our firm and the legal community at large … As we reflect on Max’s profound contributions to our firm and the legal profession, we remember him not only for his legal acumen, but also for his warmth, humor and genuine camaraderie. His presence will be deeply missed, and his legacy will continue to inspire us. Memorial donations may be made to the Baptist Memorial Health Care Foundation, 350 N. Humphreys Blvd., Memphis, TN 38120 or online at www.bmhgiving.org.

After adopting a new rule aimed at curtailing “judge shopping” for cases that challenge government policies, the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts has clarified that trial courts have discretion on how to implement the policy. Reuters reports that in an email to district court judges on Friday, the chair of the Judicial Conference committee that developed the policy acknowledged that existing federal law gives the district courts sole discretion to decide how cases are assigned, and said the policy "should not be viewed as impairing a court's authority or discretion." He also said that conference policies "set out various ways for courts to align their case assignment practices with the longstanding Judicial Conference policy of random case assignment."

Nashville Council member Courtney Johnston is considering a Republican primary challenge to U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles, according to Axios. Johnston has high name recognition and strong ties to business leaders and Republicans, the news source reports. Johnston was elected to the metro council after defeating incumbent Jeremy Elrod in 2019. Her background includes a career as a real estate agent and experience with finance. Ogles won the District 5 seat in 2022 after facing a crowded primary and defeating state Sen. Heidi Campbell in the general election.