The Tennessee Supreme Court today transferred the law licenses of three attorneys to disability inactive status. They are: Hamilton County lawyers Jeffrey D. Boehm and Carol Anne Mutter and Williamson County lawyer William Howard Knapp. The lawyers may petition the court to be reinstated upon showing that the disability has been removed.

The Tennessee Supreme Court recently suspended 27 attorneys for failure to pay the annual registration fee; 15 of them also failed to file proof that client funds are held in an IOLTA-compliant account. View the fee suspension order and IOLTA suspension order. See the list of all lawyers suspended and reinstated for fee and IOLTA violations in 2024 or access all administrative suspensions dating back to 2005.

Pursuant to Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Section 10.5 and Rule 43, Section 14, the following attorneys have been suspended in 2024 for failure to timely pay their annual registration fees and/or submit certification that all eligible funds are held in an IOLTA account. The annual registration fee is due and payable to the Board of Professional Responsibility on or before the first day of the attorney’s birth month of each year. Attorneys who have since complied with the requirements, and for whom notices have been received from the court, will be noted as reinstated.

Registration is now open through Feb. 12 for the next free advice clinic for Black-owned small businesses and nonprofits. 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. The clinic will take place on Feb. 15. Attorneys should email vlpa@abcnashville.org to volunteer.

Former state Rep. Robin Smith, who resigned after being indicted on federal wire fraud charges, has had her sentencing delayed again, Chattanoogan.com reports. The sentencing was to have occurred on Feb. 12 but has been delayed until April 5. Smith is set to testify against former House Speaker Glen Casada and his aide Cade Cothren in a trial that will begin on March 5 in Nashville. The motion noted that the trial in that case had been continued, necessitating the extension for Smith’s sentencing.

Tennessee Innocence Project (TIP) has announced that all charges have been dismissed against its client Artis Whitehead. The move follows the overturning of Whitehead’s conviction in December 2023. The exoneration is the sixth for the organization in the state and the first in Memphis. TIP Executive Director and Lead Counsel Jessica Van Dyke said, “TIP has been working on this case for the last four years because we believed in Mr. Whitehead’s innocence, and we appreciate the DA’s Office's diligent investigation and attention to detail. They got to the bottom of this case and ensured that justice was served appropriately for Mr. Whitehead and his family.” Whitehead was arrested on Jan. 31, 2003. His exoneration comes 21 years from the exact day he was arrested. He served almost 21 years after being wrongfully convicted for a 2002 robbery at B.B. King’s Blues Club on Beale Street.

Tim Jester, a Nashville financial planner newly appointed to the Metro Arts Commission, is considering a bid for state House District 60, the Nashville Post reports. Jester recently named LaTanya Channel, former Metro director of economic growth and small business development, campaign treasurer in paperwork filed with state regulators. He filed to run as a Democrat for the seat that will be vacant after Rep. Darren Jernigan, D-Nashville, moves to a position in Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell's administration. Former Metro Councilmember Kevin Rhoten also had filed paperwork appointing a treasurer for the race, but he has since landed a job with Metro and removed himself from the race. Other potential candidates who have expressed interest in possibly running for the seat, according to the paper, include education policy expert Indira Dammu and gun control advocate Shaundelle Brooks.

Spicer Rudstrom PLLC moved its Memphis office to a new location this week. The firm now will be located at 6060 Primacy Pkwy., Ste. 401, Memphis 38119. All email addresses, phone numbers and fax numbers will remain unchanged. The firm’s managing member Clint Woodfin said the move was “aimed at providing easier access for clients, staff and attorneys, as well as allowing our team a better starting point to reach all of our clients in the greater Shelby County area.” Read more from the firm.

University of Tennessee College of Law Dean and Elvin E. Overton Distinguished Professor of Law Lonnie T. Brown Jr. will be honored at a reception Saturday evening at the American Bar Association’s Midyear Meeting in Louisville, Kentucky. The event will take place from 5:30-7 p.m. EST at the Omni Louisville Hotel in the Commonwealth 1 room on the second floor. Any lawyers planning to be at the ABA meeting are invited to attend. View the invitation.

Tennessee Bar Foundation Executive Director Barri Bernstein has publicly announced her decision to retire in mid-2024. Bernstein was the initial executive director of the foundation and has served in the role since 1985. In a statement released today, Board Chair Judge John W. Whitworth said Bernstein built the foundation “from the ground up,” providing “innovative leadership” that led to better access to legal assistance for lower-income Tennesseans. “We are grateful for Barri’s longtime service and to know that she will be available in an advisory role to the Board and to her successor.” The search for a new executive director has begun. Information about the position and how to apply is available at online.