Articles

All Content

5,138 Posts found
Previous • Page 209 of 514 • Next

ABA Seeking Responses to Diversity Survey

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jul 3, 2018
The American Bar Association is asking attorneys to participate in a voluntary study aimed at better understanding the legal workplace with regards to the experience of women, minorities, LGBT individuals, those with disabilities and others. The ABA has partnered with the Burton Blatt Institute and Syracuse University to conduct the survey, and the findings will be used to help develop best practices in the legal profession. Access the survey here.

Judge: State Must Stop Revoking Drivers Licenses from People Who Can’t Pay Court Fees

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jul 3, 2018
U.S. District Judge Aleta Trauger ruled yesterday that it’s unconstitutional for the state of Tennessee to revoke drivers licenses from people who can’t pay court costs, The Tennessean reports. Between July 1, 2012, and June 1, 2016, the state revoked 146,211 licenses for failure to pay fines, costs or other fees, and less than 11,000 of those individuals have their licenses reinstated. Two men sued over the practice in January 2017 in a lawsuit that was later granted class-action status.

CLE Tax Law Forum 2018

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jul 3, 2018
The annual Tax Law Forum will be held Sept. 17 at the Tennessee Bar Center in Nashville. Sessions will focus on the new Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Topics include the new pass-through entity tax law, an overview of the changes to international tax law, corporate and other business tax changes as well as non-profit law changes.  

Davidson County Lawyer Suspended

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jul 3, 2018
The Supreme Court of Tennessee on Monday temporarily suspended Travis Waymon Tipton from the practice of law upon finding that he was in substantial non-compliance with the terms of the monitoring agreement with the Tennessee Lawyer’s Assistance Program. Section 12.3 of Supreme Court Rule 9 provides for the immediate summary suspension of an attorney’s license to practice law in cases of an attorney’s noncompliance with TLAP’s monitoring agreement. Tipton is immediately precluded from accepting any new cases, and he must cease representing existing clients by Aug. 1.

Applications Open for Criminal Court Position in 20th Judicial District

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jul 3, 2018
The Trial Court Vacancy Commission is now accepting applications for a Criminal Court judge in the 20th Judicial District, which covers Davidson County. This vacancy was created by the upcoming retirement of the Hon. Seth Walker Norman, who will end his service effective Aug. 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 district. Applications are due by noon on July 23.

Applications Open for New Circuit Court Position in 19th Judicial District

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jul 3, 2018
The Trial Court Vacancy Commission is accepting applications for Circuit Court Judge in the 19th Judicial District, which covers Montgomery and Robertson Counties. The position becomes effective Sept. 1. The court was created by Chapter 974 of the Public Acts of 2018. 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 19th district. Applications are due by noon on July 23.

New Law Seeks to Protect Domestic Violence Victims From Abusers' Frivolous Lawsuits

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jul 2, 2018
A Collierville lawyer, now imprisoned for thrice attempting to murder his wife, has inspired a new state law designed to protect domestic violence victims from “abusive civil action,” The Commercial Appeal reports. Three years after being sentenced to 30 years for his actions, Fred Auston Wortman III is representing himself and continues to force his ex-wife back to court with “frivolous” lawsuits. The new law would stop a victim from having to testify in a hearing “against a perpetrator with whom they may have a close relationship.” It also amends bond conditions to require the courts to impose a 12-hour holding period, notification to the victim and a no-contact order as a condition for making bail.

ABA Files to Dismiss Lawsuit Brought by For-profit Law School

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jul 2, 2018
The American Bar Association filed a motion for summary judgment to dismiss a lawsuit brough by Florida Coastal School of Law, the for-profit law school that is suing the ABA over accreditation issues, the ABA Journal reports. The ABA filed a motion to dismiss yesterday arguing that the dispute is not appropriate for federal court litigation. Florida Coastal is one of three for-profit schools, all owned by InfiLaw, that filed suit against the ABA for accreditation findings that the schools were out of compliance with standards involving admissions and programming.

Williamson County DA Recuses Herself in Pro Hockey Player’s Domestic Assault Case

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jul 2, 2018
Williamson County District Attorney Kim Helper has recused herself from the domestic assault case of Austin Watson, forward for the Nashville Predators hockey team, The Tennessean reports. Helper is married to the team’s senior vice president and senior advisor. Watson was arrested on June 16 and charged with the domestic assault of his girlfriend. Rutherford County Assistant District Attorney Sarah Davis is now handling the case, which will stay on the Williamson County General Sessions court docket.

New Indigent Defense Rates in Effect

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jul 2, 2018

The new 25 percent pay increase for indigent defense officially went into effect on July 1. The increase, the first of its kind in 20 years, was approved by the General Assembly this year. The hourly rate paid to court-appointed lawyers representing indigent parties is now $50 an hour for all services, while limits on the total amount of compensation a lawyer can receive in certain cases have been raised by $250 to $500. "The court views this increase as the first in a series of changes for attorney rates and Tennessee’s indigent representation system," Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Jeffrey Bivins said.

Previous • Page 209 of 514 • Next