Make plans now to attend this year’s Elder Law Forum, which will take place in person on July 21 at the Belmont University College of Law in Nashville. This annual staple for Tennessee attorneys provides an optimal learning experience, while allowing attendees to meet with other professionals sharing their focus. Topics for this year’s program include a probate judge’s panel, redetermination, ethics for elder law attorneys, crisis planning, tax considerations and more. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Don’t miss this once-a-year opportunity! Learn more and register here.

The Tennessee Supreme Court suspended 18 attorneys on Monday for failure to pay the annual registration fee; five 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 2023 or access all administrative suspensions dating back to 2005.

More than a month after a House ethics panel found a sitting state representative sexually harassed a 19-year-old intern, legislative officials have not released any records — or a dollar amount — of what taxpayer money may have been spent to address the situation. The Tennessean reports that it has filed several records requests, all of which have been denied. The paper also reports that the Office of Legislative Administration has declined to provide information on any other ethics or sexual harassment complaints. Also, open government advocates have been trying to find out if House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, knew about and/or approved the expenditure. Sexton told the paper he does not know if expenditures were made and is not aware of anyone in his office signing off on the spending. NewsChannel 5 previously reported that at least $8,800 was spent to relocate the intern.

The 29th annual "Ode to Otha" event, hosted by Neal & Harwell's Bill Ramsey, will be held June 3. The event celebrates the birthday of legendary musician Otha Turner while also raising money for Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. This year’s line-up includes Rising Stars Fife and Drum Band, Stacy Mitchhart, Bashful Mountain Duo and more! Admission is all-inclusive and family-friendly, including access to the party, kid's zone and all-you-can-eat and drink. Get tickets in advance here.

The Tennessee Supreme Court rejected a reinstatement request from Davidson County lawyer John P. Brown Jr. on Friday. Brown had been suspended for failure to complete the mandatory IOLTA statement as required by Tennessee Supreme Court rules. On April 18, Brown filed a petition for reinstatement but failed to submit his noncompliance fee, delinquent compliance fee and suspension fee as required. Brown then requested reinstatement without payment of the fees. The court rejected that request saying there is no process in the rules for waiving the fee requirement.

Retired Carthage attorney and former Smith County General Sessions Judge Joe P. Lane Jr. died May 10. A 1968 graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Law, Lane joined the Army and served in Vietnam followed by reserve duty until 1974. He then joined the law office of former Smith County judge and attorney Clint Beasley. Following the death of Beasley in 1979, Lane continued the law practice until 2000. Among his other accomplishments, Lane served as assistant commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Securities and Commerce under former Gov. Ned Ray McWherter and served as Smith County General Sessions judge. A service was held Saturday with burial at Evergreen Cemetery in Murfreesboro. The family requests that memorial donations be made to the Carthage United Methodist Church Building Fund, 608 Main St. N. #1212, Carthage, TN 37030.

The University of Memphis School of Law will host a workshop on June 14 on “Making the Move From Practice to Professor.” The event is designed for attorneys who are interested in joining the law school as a full-time, tenure-track law professor but do not know how to take the first step. The information session will run from 4-6 p.m. CDT. Contact Professor David Romantz for more information or to sign up. View a flyer of the event.

Planning to join colleagues for the TBA Annual Convention in Knoxville? Be sure to book your hotel room by this Friday when the room block is set to close. Still on the fence? You do not want to miss this year’s gathering of the Tennessee legal community, which will bring together members of the TBA, Tennessee Alliance of Black Lawyers and Tennessee Lawyers Association for Women as well as state and local judges. Centered around the theme of "Where Law & Sports Come Together," this year's event will feature dynamic programming, esteemed speakers and meaningful opportunities to connect. Learn more or register here.

Former Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam will serve as national co-chair of South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott’s campaign for president, Politico reported today. Haslam, who served as governor from 2011 to 2019, explained his decision saying, “The more I talked to Tim, the more I became convinced that he’s got a message that the country really needs to hear right now.” The news source said Scott is readying an official campaign launch for next week.

Memphis City Council members are set to consider two ballot referendums tomorrow that would allow Memphians to vote on whether handguns without permits should be banned within city limits and whether the sale of assault rifles should be banned in the city, the Commercial Appeal reports. If approved by council members and then by voters, the ordinances would directly contradict state law. In 2021, Tennessee became a permitless carry state, allowing for both concealed and open carry of handguns without a permit. Tennessee law also states that local firearms ordinances will be preempted by state law.