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Lee Appoints Judge Gibson as Senior Advisor, Names Other Cabinet-Level Positions

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jan 8, 2019

Governor-elect Bill Lee today announced his appointment of Judge Brandon Gibson of Crockett County to serve as a Senior Adviser in the Office of the Governor, The Jackson Sun reports. Gibson currently serves as a judge on the Tennessee Court of Appeals, Western Section. Her new role as a senior adviser will include a broad portfolio with emphasis on long-term initiatives, such as criminal justice reform and prioritizing the needs of rural communities. Additionally, Lee recently appointed attorneys to two other cabinet positions: Jennifer Nichols to lead the Department of Children's Services and Gabe Roberts to lead the Division of TennCare.

Deadline Approaching to Apply for Chattanooga Minority Clerkship Program

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jan 8, 2019
The Chattanooga Legal Diversity Consortium (CLDC) is again sponsoring a Minority Clerkship Program (MCP) for Summer 2019. This is a competitive summer program for rising second-year law students intended to help advance the CLDC’s goal of increasing racial and ethnic diversity in the Chattanooga legal community. Law firms participating may include Baker Donelson, Chambliss, Husch Blackwell, and Miller & Martin, while in-house legal departments and government agencies may include Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee, the City of Chattanooga, Electric Power Board, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, and Unum. Interested students should submit a cover letter, resume and transcript (if available) to Megan Hagerty by Jan. 25.

TSC Holds Evidence Not Enough to Convict for Attempt to Sexually Exploit a Minor

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jan 8, 2019
In a divided opinion, the Tennessee Supreme Court has reversed and dismissed the conviction of a Davidson County man for attempted especially aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor — “attempted child sexual exploitation” — in a case in which he secretly videotaped a 13-year-old female relative while she was in her bedroom. Based on the language of Tennessee’s child sexual exploitation statutes, which were adopted to address the production of child pornography, the majority of the Court found that there was not enough evidence at trial to affirm the conviction. Justice Holly Kirby authored the majority opinion, and the dissent was authored by Justice Roger Page.

California Attorney Disbarred in Tennessee

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jan 8, 2019
The Tennessee Supreme Court has entered an order of reciprocal discipline against William Lawrence McKinney, disbarring him from the practice of law in Tennessee, following his disbarment in California. The order is retroactive to June 23, 2017. McKinney must pay court costs incurred by the Board of Professional Responsibility within 90 days.

KBA Honors 2 Judges at Annual Meeting

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jan 8, 2019
The Knoxville Bar Association bestowed awards on two East Tennessee judges at its recent annual meeting. Sixth Judicial District Circuit Court Judge Deborah C. Stevens was given the Presidents’ Award in recognition of her longtime service on the KBA’s Diversity in Profession Committee, while Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals Judge James Curwood Witt Jr. was named as the recipient of the Courage in the Face of Adversity Award. Judge Stevens was appointed to the Sixth Judicial District Circuit Court in 2013 and won election to a full term in 2014. Judge Witt has served on the Court of Criminal Appeals since 1997.

Environmental Law Forum Planned for Feb. 1

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jan 7, 2019
The Environmental Law Section's annual forum, held on Feb. 1 at the Tennessee Bar Center in Nashville, will present timely updates on legal issues involving brownfields, Tennessee Water Rule amendments and emerging contaminants. Government, in-house and private practice attorneys will discuss new regulations affecting these topics. Find out more and register now.

New Bill Provides Waiver for Health Care Licensure Fees

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jan 7, 2019
A new bill sponsored by Rep. Dan Howell, R-Georgetown, aims to except low-income individuals from the initial licensure fees imposed by the health and regulatory boards when beginning a career in the health care industry, The Nashville Post reports. The bill also directs licensing authorities to create a system for applicants to apply for a fee waiver, and sets a deadline for the approval process to 30 days. According to the Department of Health, the bill could decrease department revenue by $1.5 million, and would be paid through the board’s fee fund. 

Federal Courts Add 1 Week of Funding Amid Government Shutdown

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jan 7, 2019
Federal courts have added on a week to the amount of time they hope to continue paid operations during the government shutdown, The ABA Journal reports. The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts said in a release today it was now working toward a goal of sustaining paid operations through Jan. 18. If the shutdown continues after that date, nonessential workers will be sent home and judges and key staff members will work without pay to handle criminal and other essential cases.

Man Apprehended After Escaping Hamilton County Jail

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jan 7, 2019
Bradley County Sheriff's Office personnel captured a man who walked out of the Hamilton County Jail on Monday afternoon, The Time Free Press reports. Coty Aaron Dilbeck was in a holding area awaiting booking on felony theft charges when he walked out of the jail. He was caught less than three hours later.

Haslam Grants Full Clemency to Cyntoia Brown

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jan 7, 2019
Gov. Bill Haslam today ordered an early release for Cyntoia Brown, a Tennessee woman and alleged sex trafficking victim serving a life sentence in prison for killing a man when she was 16, The Tennessean reports. Brown will be eligible for release Aug. 7 on time served and will stay on parole for 10 years. "Transformation should be accompanied by hope. So, I am commuting Ms. Brown’s sentence, subject to certain conditions," Haslam said in a statement. Brown will be required to participate in regular counseling sessions and to perform at least 50 hours of community service, including working with at-risk youth. She also will be required to get a job.
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