The Tennessee Supreme Court this week suspended 22 attorneys for failure to pay the annual registration fee; 11 of them also failed to file proof that client funds are held in an IOLTA-compliant account. View the July 20 fee suspension order and IOLTA suspension order. See the list of all lawyers suspended for fee and IOLTA violations in 2022 or access all administrative suspensions dating back to 2005.

Scott & Associates PC is seeking a lead attorney for its Gallatin office. Duties include review and approval of collection claims and representation of clients in civil collection matters, including trial preparation, claim prove-up and post-judgment enforcement. Candidates should have one to three years of experience in in debt collection or similar high volume civil litigation practice. Get the full job description and application instructions on the TBA’s JobLink platform.

The Tennessee Bar Association is offering a “Journey to Cuba CLE” trip next March and you can sign up now to receive information on registration, itineraries and more. The TBA is collaborating with CLE Abroad, our program partner, to create the perfect itinerary for an eye-opening journey at this pivotal moment in U.S.-Cuba relations. The specially designed program will explore Cuba’s rich and varied cultural heritage and go beyond the typical tourist corridors to engage with local scholars, attorneys, entrepreneurs, musicians and artists who will offer in-depth commentary on the country’s legal and political systems, economics, art, history, architecture and religion. You do not want to miss this opportunity to experience the best of Cuba while earning CLE credit. Check out this trip brochure and make plans to join us March 2-6, 2023!

Travis Reinking, convicted in February of multiple first-degree murder charges and four felony murder charges at a Nashville area Waffle House, has now been sentenced to four consecutive life sentences, the Tennessean reports. Reinking faced 16 counts in total and was found guilty on all charges. The jury gave him four sentences of life without parole on the first-degree and felony murder charges. Judge Mark Fishburn's task was to use victim impact testimony, along with guidelines in the law, to determine whether the sentences should be consecutive or concurrent. He also sentenced Reinking to an additional 114 years for charges not considered by the jury.

Earlier this month, the East Tennessee Lawyers’ Association for Women hosted a summer social and conversation with five of east Tennessee’s female judges. The panel featured U.S. District Court Judge Katherine Crytzer, Blount County General Sessions Judge Kenlyn Foster, Juvenile Court Magistrate Robin Gunn, Court of Workers' Compensation Claims Judge Lisa Lowe, and U.S. District Court Magistrate Jill McCook. Tennessee Court of Appeals Judge Kristi Davis moderated the discussion.

Four experts and a prominent legal journalist will join ABA President Reginald Turner on July 28 from noon to 1 p.m. EDT to discuss how new federal judges are changing the federal judiciary. The free one-hour online webinar – “The Changing Face of the Federal Judiciary: Is it Permanent or Temporary?” – coincides with the release of the 2022 ABA Profile of the Legal Profession, an annual compilation of statistics and trends among lawyers, judges and law students. New to the report this year is a lengthy statistical look at the changing federal judiciary.

The Tennessee Department of Revenue will host a free webinar to discuss 2022 legislative actions on July 26 at 9 a.m. CDT. Participants will learn about changes to existing tax laws in Tennessee and newly-created laws from the 2022 legislative session. Register for the webinar here. The program is part of a series offered by the department each month. The Department of Revenue has more on upcoming webinars.

Lydia Amelia Babaoglu, longtime administrative assistant to the Shelby County Chancery Court, died June 19 due to complications from COVID. Born in Germany in 1945, Babaoglu immigrated to the United States with her parents and brother in 1950 and settled in New Jersey. While attending Rutgers University she met her husband Rehim Babaoglu, now an attorney with Lewis Thomason. They moved to Memphis to raise their family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to New Ballet Ensemble and School, 2157 York Ave., Memphis, TN 38104.

The Sullivan County Commission is set to consider a proposal tomorrow that would apply daily cost of living fees to inmates at the county jail, WJHL reports. Proposal sponsor Commissioner Herschel Glover says the measure is intended to help fund a $93 million addition to the jail. Under the program, inmates at the county jail would pay $35 per day during their stay. But local court and law enforcement officials are expressing concern. Sullivan County Sheriff Jeff Cassidy has said such a proposal “sets an inmate up for failure.” Several county judges as well as the public defender and district attorney all expressed concerns about the idea.

The TBA Young Lawyers Division, Belmont Law and the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee & the Cumberlands hosted an expungement clinic at Belmont Law last weekend. Attorneys and law students worked with the Davidson County Clerks to help more than 30 low-income individuals expunge more than 70 criminal charges. Clients also received help with fee waivers and driver's license reinstatement, resulting in more than $7,000 in free legal help being provided. Other local nonprofits also were on site to provide additional resources, like employment and housing help. Thank you to Martin Heller Potempa & Sheppard PLLC for sponsoring the event.