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ATJ Community Gathers to Learn and Honor Leaders for Service

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Aug 30, 2018
More than 200 lawyers, law students and advocates gathered this week for the 2018 Equal Justice University (EJU) in Murfreesboro. The conference is sponsored by the Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services and TBA is an event co-sponsor. TBA President Jason Pannu today spoke to those gathered for EJU via videotaped remarks. Pannu thanked the legal service staff and volunteers for their role as first responders, providing life-changing assistance to Tennesseans in need, and also acknowledging the strong collaborations that make this work possible. TBA YLD President Christian Barker introduced Pannu’s video by expressing appreciation for the access to justice community and sharing his own experience with an opportunity for unexpected pro bono service. See pictures and more here.

Court Seeks Comment on Proposed Rules Amendments

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Aug 30, 2018
The Advisory Commission on the Rules of Practice and Procedure annually presents recommendations to the Tennessee Supreme Court to amend the Rules of Appellate, Civil, Criminal, and Juvenile Procedure, and the Tennessee Rules of Evidence. The court is now soliciting written comments from the bench, the bar, and the public concerning the recommendations. The deadline for submitting written comments is Oct. 30. Written comments may be emailed to appellatecourtclerk@tncourts.gov or mailed to James M. Hivner, Clerk, Re: 2019 Rules Package, 100 Supreme Court Building, 401 7th Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37219-1407.

Article Raises Questions About Ethics of Judges, Attorneys Fraternizing

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Aug 30, 2018
After emails about a group vacation surfaced between a Williamson County judge and an attorney with an active case in the judge’s courtroom, The Tennessean asks where the line should be drawn concerning judges and lawyers fraternizing. Charles Geyh, an Indiana University law professor and legal ethics expert, says that judges should never preside over cases when they’re close friends with any of the attorneys involved. In the case of the Williamson County judge, the plaintiffs in the case asked the judge to recuse himself – a motion he later denied.

Attorneys, Police Offer Differing Stories on Chattanooga Officer Who Fired at Deceased Man

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Aug 30, 2018
Attorneys for a police officer who fired his weapon at a deceased suicidal man have contradicted a statement from the Chattanooga Police Department regarding the incident, The Times Free Press reports. The CPD released a statement on Monday, claiming that Officer Brian Cottell “accidentally” discharged his weapon three times, with one bullet hitting the deceased man’s leg. Cottell’s attorneys, however, say that he “purposefully discharged his weapon to protect himself … as he was trained to do.”

Federal Judge Rated ‘Not Qualified’ by ABA Confirmed by U.S. Senate

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Aug 30, 2018
The U.S. Senate on Tuesday confirmed U.S. Magistrate Judge Charles Barnes Goodwin for a federal judgeship, despite his “not qualified” rating from the ABA Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary, The ABA Journal reports. Six Democrats joined the Republican majority to approve Goodwin 52-42. The committee expressed concerns about Goodwin’s work habits, including “his frequent absence from the courthouse until mid-afternoon.”  Goodwin will serve on the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma.

DOJ to Support Asian-American Students Suing Harvard Over Affirmative Action

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Aug 30, 2018
The Justice Department will lend its support to a lawsuit filed by Asian-American students against Harvard University, claiming discrimination, The New York Times reports. The case could have implications for the use of affirmative action in college admissions across the country. The students claim that Harvard has systemically discriminated against them by artificially capping the number of Asian-Americans attending the school in order to advance less qualified students of other races.

Nashville District Attorney to Seek Jail Time on All Gun Offenses

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Aug 30, 2018
Nashville District Attorney Glenn Funk announced his office will seek jail time on all gun-related offenses, The Associated Press reports. The office will seek to present all gun cases to the grand jury. Once the cases are in criminal court, prosecutors will seek jail time. Anyone prohibited from buying or having a gun due to a criminal record, age or mental health condition will be prosecuted.

Attorneys Statewide to Gather Tomorrow for Seersucker Events

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Aug 30, 2018
Bar associations across Tennessee will host Seersucker Flash Mobs tomorrow to help raise money for legal services. The Knoxville Bar Association's flash mob will meet at 11:45 a.m. in the courtyard of the U.S. District Court for a group photo. Participants for the Nashville Bar Association mob will gather in front of Woolworth’s on 5th at noon for a group photo and to "pass the hat" to raise a money for the Legal Aid Society. The Memphis Bar Association will meet at the Peabody Hotel at noon and will collect contributions for Memphis Area Legal Services and A Step Ahead. The Jackson-Madison County Bar Association will hold its event at the Carnegie at 11 a.m.

Wrong Agency Identified in Adoption Luncheon Item

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Aug 29, 2018

A story in Tuesday's TBA Today misidentified the state agency involved with the new Tennessee: First in Adoption Law. The attorneys and Commissioner Bonnie Hommrich are part of the Department of Children's Services.

Federal Court Rules N.C. Congressional Map a Partisan Gerrymander

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Aug 29, 2018
A federal court ruled on Monday that North Carolina’s congressional district map is unconstitutional and cannot be used in the future, The New York Times reports. The three-judge panel has yet to decide whether the current map may be used this year. North Carolina Republicans said they would petition the U.S. Supreme Court for a stay, but a stay would require the votes of five justices, and with the recent retirement of Justice Anthony Kennedy the court is divided 4-4 on ideological lines.
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