Artis Whitehead was released from prison last week after spending 20 years behind bars for a robbery and kidnapping on Beale Street he and the Tennessee Innocence Project say he did not commit. The Commercial Appeal reports that Whitehead's attorneys argued he should be granted a new trial, citing advances in eyewitness identification sciences, Brady violations by the Memphis Police Department and original prosecutor, and a dubious CrimeStoppers tip. Shelby County Criminal Court Judge Jennifer Fitzgerald granted the request for a new trial but the Shelby County District Attorney's Office says it will not re-try the case. That means Whitehead's record will show as if he was charged and had his case dropped.

There is still time to register for the TBA's Law & Culture in Ireland CLE program but spots are filling up! The trip will take place May 7-13, 2024. Two travel options are available: a four-night trip to Dublin and a six-night trip to Dublin and Belfast. In conjunction with CLE Abroad, travelers will engage with local experts, academics, officials and change makers who will offer in-depth commentary on the EU and UK legal-political systems, economics, environmental justice, history and religion. In Dublin, the group also will explore ancient castles, visit landmarks, museums and notable legal institutions, and sample local cuisine. In Belfast, travelers will learn about the region's unique political history, Good Friday Agreement, ongoing reconciliation efforts and peace process. Add on trips to the West Coast and Cliffs of Moher also are available. View a brochure for the trip or learn more online.

Today is your last chance to lock in savings with the TBA's group health insurance. The TBA BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee plan is guaranteed issue, and has no health questions and no pre-existing condition exclusions. And new this year, plans include the added benefit of a $15,000 life insurance policy for each insured. Don’t delay, sign up today!

The Tennessee Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection met today to consider claims from clients alleging financial loss due to the illegal actions of their lawyers. The fund approved one claim against Davidson County attorney David Dwayne Harris in the amount of $1,500. It also directed Harris to reimburse the fund for the expense. The Fund for Client Protection was established by the Tennessee Supreme Court to reimburse individuals for losses caused by dishonest conduct by attorneys. The fund is operated by a board, which meets quarterly to consider claims. In September 2022, the Tennessee Supreme Court amended Rule 25 to require the fund to notify the Tennessee Bar Association of claims paid. News releases also are posted online.

The Tennessee Defense Lawyers Association (TDLA) recently presented its inaugural Nathan E. Shelby Emerging Leaders Award to AJ Parker in the Nashville office of Rainey, Kizer, Reviere & Bell. The award recognizes a member of the association who participates in the Emerging Leaders Program and demonstrates development of leadership skills. The award honors Shelby, who was TDLA president-elect in 2022-2023 and, according to the group, was known for his strength in identifying and mentoring young lawyers to fulfill their potential as effective civil defense lawyers and leaders in the association. Shelby died Sept. 6.

Williamson County lawyer Jay Nelson Chamness filed a petition for reinstatement to active status on Nov. 7. On Dec. 5, the Board of Professional Responsibility recommended that the court remove his disability status but leave his license on inactive status until he resolves an outstanding disciplinary complaint. The court adopted the board’s recommendation. The court also issued an order allowing Chamness to file documents in his case under seal.

Knox County attorney John Kenneth Hoffmeister was reinstated to the practice of law today after being on inactive status since May 24, 2018. Hoffmeister petitioned the Tennessee Supreme Court for reinstatement and the Board of Professional Responsibility found that reinstatement would be appropriate. The court made his reinstatement effective as of Dec. 8.

Attorneys Shane Cortesi, Charles Gilbreath and Stephan Wright, based in both Nashville and Chattanooga, have announced the establishment of Wright, Cortesi & Gilbreath. According to the Nashville Post, the firm will handle civil and intellectual property litigation, patent work, trademark and copyright filings, contracts and employment law. Cortesi is joining the firm after working as a solo practioner in Nashville. He will remain in Nashville. Wright and Gilbreath both worked in the Law Office of Stephan Wright in Chattanooga. Learn more online.

The Tennessee Department of Revenue will host a free live webinar Dec. 19 at 9 a.m. CST to discuss the taxation of software in Tennessee. Topics include definitions of prewritten, custom and remote access software, determining sales price, software as a service (SaaS), sourcing and more. Learn more or register here. The webinar is one in a series of educational sessions held by the department each month.

After requesting two state bodies investigate the sentencing decisions of Shelby County District Attorney (DA) Steve Mulroy and Shelby County Criminal Court Judge Paula Skahan, WREG reports that state Sen. Brent Taylor, R-Memphis, is now asking the Senate Judiciary Committee to review Mulroy’s agreements with three outside organizations. Mulroy previously announced consulting agreements with Just City, the Vera Institute and the Justice Innovation Lab. Taylor says that, “Memphians have a right to know if the agreements between the DA’s office and these outside groups are inconsistent with state laws and policies." Mulroy says any allegations of impropriety are baseless and that consulting arrangements with national expert groups are common place.