A Nashville woman recently named Miss Tennessee has some special connections to the Tennessee Bar Association. Tally Bevis, the daughter of Springfield attorney and TBA member Charlotte Fleming and Dan Bevis, is also the niece of TBA IT Coordinator Dave Bevis. She took home the crown Saturday during the competition in downtown Memphis. Fleming is the managing partner of the Fleming Law Firm & Mediation Center. According to the Commercial Appeal, Bevis’ social impact initiative is a nonprofit she hopes will combat voter apathy called Vote with a Vision. Her current goals for the organization are registering 10,000 voters, engaging young voters and protecting voter access—something she worries is under attack. “We see people are disproportionately affected and disenfranchised because of long wait times, voter suppression and really strict voter ID laws,” Bevis said. "It is not only a responsibility to vote, but it is a constitutional right. And so I want to protect that in the next year." Next up for Bevis is the December Miss America competition in Connecticut. 

The Tennessee Supreme Court today reversed the dismissal of a lawsuit that had been refiled after having been previously dismissed ahead of trial. The decision stems from a 2014 lawsuit filed by Regions Bank against a Shelby County man. Finding that Regions did not timely prosecute the case, the trial court dismissed the suit, but did not give notice to either party. Upon learning of the dismissal, Regions asked the trial court to set aside the dismissal and allow the suit to proceed. The court denied that request but noted the dismissal didn’t prevent Regions from refiling at a later time. However, when Regions refiled the suit, the trial court dismissed it, citing res judicata. The Supreme Court unanimously held that the original dismissal did not prevent refiling the lawsuit because that dismissal had not resolved the lawsuit on its merits. Read the high court’s opinion authored by Chief Justice Jeff Bivins on the Administrative Office of the Courts website.

Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee & the Cumberlands will host two upcoming in-person legal advice clinics and one phone clinic for members of the public with questions about housing and renters’ rights, bankruptcy, medical bills, debt collection, domestic violence, SNAP benefits and unemployment benefits. The in-person clinics will take place Saturday from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the McHugh Clinic, 2005 12th Ave. S. in Nashville, and on Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. CDT at Operation Stand Down Nashville, 1125 12th Ave. S. The phone clinic will be held Tuesday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. CDT. To volunteer, contact Andrae Crismon or Kendra Cheek or call 615-780-7131.

Mark your calendar for the TBA LGBT Section’s Annual Forum 2021 on Sept. 17 from 10 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. CDT. This year’s program will focus on political concerns for Tennessee’s LGBT community, including an advocacy panel that will address how to become more involved locally in the fight for equal justice, how to build a grassroots movement and more. The section also will host a booth at the Nashville Pride Festival to answer basic questions and provide attendees with relevant resources. If you are interested in volunteering to assist at the festival, please contact section coordinator Jarod Word.

Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slatery says he will join a coalition of attorneys general from 37 other states in filing a lawsuit against Google in California. The complaint accuses Google, specifically the Google Play Store for Android devices and Google Play Billing, of violating antitrust law by maintaining an app store monopoly that harms consumers by limiting their choices and driving up app prices. The AG’s website has more on the lawsuit.

An article in yesterday’s TBA Today regarding a shift in Nashville’s legal market post-COVID-19 noted that national firms hiring Nashville attorneys to work remotely have contributed to a changing legal landscape. While some national firms have hired Nashville attorneys without setting up a physical office in the city, Am Law 50 firm K&L Gates did recently launch a Nashville office.

A Hendersonville man pleaded guilty last week to federal arson charges for his role in the damage to the Metro Courthouse during a protest in Nashville last year, the Associated Press reports. Wesley Somers faces five to 20 years after entering his plea in U.S. District Court. Graffiti was sprayed on the courthouse, windows were smashed and a fire was set inside on May 30 last year after a gathering to protest the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Somers was caught on video clips and photos from the event and was identified after the Nashville police received tips from citizens. He will be sentenced on Dec. 1.

Following reports of child abuse, the Tennessee Department of Children's Services (DCS) announced last week that the state has suspended the license of the Baptiste Group to manage La Casa de Sydney, a Chattanooga facility that housed unaccompanied migrant children. According to The Chattanoogan, an unannounced DCS inspection in June uncovered alleged child abuse by a staff member, who was fired after an investigation and charged with sexual battery. As of June 22, all children had been removed from the facility. The suspension issued by DCS is not time-limited and under state law a licensee may request an informal hearing before an administrative law judge within three business days of the suspension. The Associated Press reports that state lawmakers have demanded Baptiste Group testify and answer questions about the operation at their next meeting on July 13.

The Tennessee Department of Finance & Administration is seeking to hire data privacy counsel to join its Office of Evidence and Impact. The position works with multiple divisions of F&A and other departments and state agencies to further the use of data in decision-making, while maintaining compliance with all privacy laws and regulations. To apply for the job, email cover letter and resume to Christin Lotz or apply via the state’s website. Read more about the job posting on Linkedin.  

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s Office of General Counsel is looking to add a senior environmental counsel to its growing team of 18 attorneys. TDEC attorneys are currently working remotely and anticipate continued flexibility moving forward. The position is expected to be based in Knoxville, but may also be based in Nashville with travel to Knoxville. The attorney will help lay the foundation of Tennessee’s new surface coal mining and reclamation program. Experience applying the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA), including experience handling financial assurance and bankruptcy issues, is preferred. Preferred candidates will have a minimum of five years of experience in the practice of law. To apply for this position please email your resume and cover letter to TDEC.Careers@tn.gov.