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Clarksville, Montgomery County Voters to Decide on Consolidation

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Aug 10, 2018
Voters across Montgomery County will decide on Nov. 6 if they want the Clarksville city and county government to consolidate, The Leaf Chronicle reports. A 15-member charter commission produced an 88-page charter, which was delivered to the county clerk’s office yesterday afternoon. Previous attempts at a consolidated government in Montgomery County, in 1980 and 1996, were voted down.

Jackson Council Approves New City Court Building

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Aug 10, 2018
The Jackson City Council on Tuesday approved plans to build a new city court building near the Jackson Police Department headquarters, The Jackson Sun reports. The budget was set at $2.62 million with a goal of being completed by next summer. “The new building will have more room for everybody, and it will move court out of downtown and clear up that building for new business and be good for everybody involved,” said Jackson Mayor Jerry Gist.

Billy Ray Irick Executed

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Aug 10, 2018
The state of Tennessee executed Billy Ray Irick last night, The Nashville Scene reports. Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slatery released a statement, saying in part “I hope tonight’s lawful execution in some way eases the heartache (victim Paula Dyer’s) family has lived with and brings a degree of closure to a chapter of their lives that has been indescribably difficult.” The Scene reported that Irick did appear to react physically to the drug, moving and making noises akin to coughing and choking, signs that Federal Public Defender Kelley Henry said pointed to concerns expressed in a lawsuit filed by more than 30 death row inmates.

Commission Accepting Applications for 22nd Judicial District Circuit Court Judge Vacancy

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Aug 10, 2018
The Trial Court Vacancy Commission is accepting applications for a Circuit Court judge in the 22nd Judicial District, which covers Giles, Lawrence, Maury and Wayne Counties. This vacancy was created by the upcoming retirement of the Hon. Robert L. Jones, who will end his service effective Oct. 31. Qualified applicants must be licensed attorneys who are at least 30 years of age, have been residents of the state for five years, and are residents of the 22nd Judicial District. Interested applicants must complete the Trial Court Vacancy Commission Application and submit it to the Administrative Office of the Courts by noon on Aug. 30.

Shelby Commission Approves Measure to Gain Legal Control in County Matters

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Aug 9, 2018
Shelby County commissioners approved an ordinance Wednesday that would bar the county attorney from representing county government in civil litigation in which the county mayor or another county government entity is suing the commission, the Memphis Daily News reports. The ordinance also requires commission approval for the county attorney to hire outside or special counsel, unless the county attorney certifies to the commission chairman that the matter those attorneys are hired for will not go over $50,000 in hourly rates or contingent fees.

Former U.S. Bankruptcy Trustee Walter Carroll Dead at 89

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Aug 9, 2018
Walter Carroll Drake of Cookeville died on Aug. 1 at the age of 89. Drake received his law degree from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville in 1957. He practiced law for several years in Jackson before being named a U.S. Bankruptcy Trustee. He was elected as City Judge in Jackson, and served for 17 years. In 1996, he moved back home to Cookeville and practiced law alongside his daughter until his retirement in 2003. Memorial contributions may be made to Happy Haven Children's Home, 2311 Wakefield Drive, Cookeville, 38501, or West Tennessee Children's Home, 170 Frank Lathem Rd, Pinson, 38366.

Article Examines Difficulties Faced by Female Trial Lawyers

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Aug 9, 2018
Is it harder to be a trial lawyer if you are a woman? The Atlantic took a look into the question, examining personal stories, history and statistics about gender in the legal profession. One suggested cause for the difficulties faced by female lawyers was the lack of women in positions of power in the courtroom: women currently make up only 33 percent of federal trial-court judges.

Widespread College Application Form to Remove Criminal Record Question

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Aug 9, 2018

Starting next year, The Common Application - the country’s most widely used college application form - will stop asking prospective students about whether they have a criminal record, WHYY reports. Advocates claimed the question was discouraging and discriminatory against prospective students who have a criminal history. “A lot of students with criminal records may feel like disclosing their record will be held against them in the admissions process and get discouraged from applying,” said Caitlin Brown, a spokeswoman with Community Legal Services, a nonprofit in Philadelphia.

Pera Helps Lead ABA Effort to Modernize Rules on Lawyer Advertising

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Aug 9, 2018
The ABA House of Delegates on Monday voted in favor of amending Rule 7 of ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, which addresses lawyer advertising, the ABA Journal reports. Lucian Pera told delegates that in the decades since the 1977 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Bates v. State Bar of Arizona allowed for lawyers to advertise their services, there’s been a “breathtaking variation in advertising rules” among states. He said the amendments were necessary to clarify and simplify these rules.

SCOTUS Will Not Stay Irick Execution

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Aug 9, 2018
The U.S. Supreme Court will not intervene in the execution of Billy Ray Irick, which is set to take place tonight at 7 p.m., Knoxnews reports. While Justice Elena Kagan denied the request, Justice Sonia Sotomayor issued a sharp dissent. 
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