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Newman Honored with Leech Award for Public Service

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jun 15, 2018

Leech Award Given by TBA’s Young Lawyers Division Fellows

NASHVILLE, June 7, 2018 – Memphis attorney Charles F. Newman will be honored with this year’s prestigious William M. Leech Jr. Public Service Award, to be presented by the TBA’s Young Lawyers Division Fellows at the association’s annual convention in Memphis on Friday, June 15.

Madison County Lawyer Censured

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jun 15, 2018
On June 15, Madison County lawyer Bede O. M. Anyanwu was publicly censured by the Tennessee Supreme Court. The court ordered Anyanwu to pay costs and expenses to the Board of Professional Responsibility. On May 8, 2017, a petition for discipline containing one complaint was filed against Anyanwu. Prior to the final hearing, Anyanwu executed a conditional guilty plea acknowledging he delayed for a period of 15 months taking the steps necessary to perfect service of a divorce complaint on the non-resident defendant.

Senate Judiciary Chair: Judiciary Needs an Inspector General

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jun 15, 2018
U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Chuck Grassley suggested this week that it was time to appoint an independent inspector general to handle misconduct complaints against the federal judiciary, the ABA Journal reports. Grassley pointed out that most federal agencies have watchdogs, so the judiciary should be the same. Judicial officials say an inspector general position could violate separation of powers principles. 

Blackburn Initially Discouraged from Running for Office, Was Told ‘Waste of Time’

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jun 15, 2018
In a new profile of U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn, she recounts that she was told by political insiders that running for office was a waste of time and money, Humphrey on the Hill reports. The story recounts Blackburn’s downplaying of her role as a female leader, even though she has broken many barriers as a female member of Congress. She was the first woman ever elected to Congress by Tennessee voters – the only female members before her were appointed or had won in special elections.

Man Convicted in Woodmore Bus Crash Arrested on Rape Charge in Nashville

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jun 15, 2018
Johnthony Walker, the driver convicted in the 2016 Woodmore school bus crash, was arrested on an aggravated statutory rape charge in Nashville, the Times Free Press reports. Walker admitted to having sex with a 14-year-old, which he claims was a consensual relationship. In April, he was sentenced to four years in prison for his role in the crash, which killed six children. He’s been out on bond while his attorneys appealed his sentence. The Tennessean reports that he was living in Nashville after receiving death threats in Chattanooga.

TBA Launches Public Service Academy

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jun 15, 2018
Today at the Lawyers Luncheon at the TBA Convention in Memphis, newly sworn-in President Jason Pannu announced the TBA Public Service Academy, a new effort to encourage attorneys to seek public office. The program, based on a similar one launched by the North Carolina Bar Association, will provide training to a class of 25-30 attorneys on topics like strategy, campaign finance, work-life balance and more. Applications to join the inaugural class are now available at TBAPSA.org.

Media Examines Candidate Performance at TBA Gubernatorial Forum

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jun 14, 2018
The Commercial Appeal served as the co-host for the TBA’s gubernatorial candidate forum today and its executive editor, Mark Russell, served as the program’s moderator. Its coverage of the event can be seen on its website, along with a video replay of the event. The Memphis Daily News online outlet took a look at the candidates’ views on criminal justice reform, as did the Associated Press, which focused on each candidate’s take on decriminalization of marijuana. Fox 13 Memphis also interviewed the candidates for its evening telecast.

TBA Public Service Academy

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jun 14, 2018

Marketing image for the TBA Public Service Academy


What Is the Public Service Academy?

The TBA Public Service Academy is a training fellowship to provide attorneys with the tools to run for local political office. It takes place over the course of two weekends in the fall, during which fellows will hear speakers discuss topics like strategy, campaign finance, work-life balance and more. In 2018, the TBA launched the program and trained its inaugural class.


Why Is It Necessary?

Lawyers are decreasingly represented in elected positions in Tennessee, and resources are not readily available for those who are interested in seeking public office – especially the kind of resources that explain an ever-changing political environment. The TBA PSA aims to provide encouragement to lawyers who want to lead but don’t know where to start, as well as de-mystify the intimidating political process.


Who Are We Looking for?

In 2018, the program trained 29 individuals as a part of its first class, and seeks to once again train 25-30 individuals in 2019. Attorneys of all ages and backgrounds are welcome to apply, but we are looking for individuals who wish to seek a public office, not a judicial one. The class will be selected to include a balance of political ideologies.


Do I Have to Be a TBA Member to Apply?

You do not have to be a member to submit your application, but if selected for the program, you will be asked to become a member.


Questions?

Have questions or need more information? Email TBAAcademy@tnbar.org.

Black Skipped 93 U.S. House Votes While Campaigning, Report Says

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jun 13, 2018
A new report shows U.S. Rep. Diane Black has skipped 93 votes in Congress this year alone while campaigning for governor of Tennessee, The Tennessean reports. She is second only to Rep. Tim Walz of Minnesota, who is also running for governor in his home state, in missed votes. The report notes that many of the votes include perfunctory actions, but some bills she missed include one that provided funding to the military, one that sanctioned Iran for politically jailing U.S. citizens and one that reformed the way royalties are distributed to musicians and music labels.

Former Pilot Flying J President Wins Right to Fire Lawyers

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jun 13, 2018
Former Pilot Flying J President Mark Hazelwood, who was convicted in a fraud scheme and is awaiting sentencing, will be allowed to replace his attorney, Knoxnews reports. Hazelwood requested to fire lawyer Rusty Hardin, whom Hazelwood blames for his own conviction, and replace him. U.S. Magistrate Judge Bruce Guyton has granted the request with one caveat – his new lawyers must be ready by August for Hazelwood’s sentencing hearing.
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