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Hamilton County Deputy Sues Restaurant After Finding Cocaine in His Drink

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on May 22, 2018
Hamilton County Deputy Ricky E. Wolfe filed a lawsuit yesterday claiming that a Steak n; Shake waitress slipped a bag of cocaine into his drink, the Times Free Press reports. A responding officer reported that the server was caught on security footage planting the drugs. Wolfe is seeking $150,000 from Debo’s Diners, the corporation that operates several Steak n’ Shake locations in Tennessee.

Haslam Signs Legislation Protecting Confederate Monuments

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on May 22, 2018
Gov. Bill Haslam signed into law a bill that would tighten the restrictions on removing statues, monuments and historical markers, a measure drafted in response to the removal of two Confederate monuments in Memphis parks last year. The Commercial Appeal reports that the new provisions to the state’s Heritage Protection Act would prohibit the sale or transfer of a memorial or statue without obtaining a waiver from the state Historical Commission. It also allows “any entity, group or individual” to seek an injunction in Davidson County court if they believe a public entity has violated the law.

Campbell County Lawyer Disbarred

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on May 22, 2018
Wesley Lynn Hatmaker of Jacksboro was disbarred from the practice of law today. As a condition of reinstatement, Hatmaker must make restitution to one former client. In his representation of one client, Hatmaker did not provide his client with a written fee agreement, failed to perform the work for which he was retained, abandoned his representation, failed to properly terminate the relationship, and failed to refund his client for the work he did not perform. With a second client, he took no further action in the case after receiving payment for his representation. He continued to invoice his client and told his client everything was fine; however, when the court placed the case on the trial calendar six years later, the client obtained new counsel who determined that Hatmaker had done nothing on behalf of the client. In both cases, Hatmaker failed to inform his clients that he had been suspended from the practice of law in January 2016.

SCOTUS Rules Workers Can’t Band Together Against Employer

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on May 21, 2018
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled today that workers may not band together to challenge violations of federal labor laws, NPR reports. Justice Neil Gorsuch opined for the majority that the 1925 Federal Arbitration Act trumps the National Labor Relations Act and that employees who sign employment agreements to arbitrate claims must do so on an individual basis. In the dissenting opinion, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said that the 1925 arbitration law was passed well before federal labor laws, and warned that without Congressional action, there will be under enforcement of federal and state laws designed to protect workers.

Haslam Signs ‘Safekeeping Bill,’ Keeping Juvenile Safekeepers Out of Adult Prison

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on May 21, 2018
The state’s “safekeeping” statute officially has new restrictions after Gov. Bill Haslam signed into law today a measure that would provide some key updates to the law, The Tennessean reports. Under the new regulations, juvenile safekeepers – individuals without convictions who are housed in a state prison due to overcrowding in their local jail – will not be allowed to be sent to adult prisons. Additionally, judges must review all safekeeping orders every 30 days, a provision intended to keep safekeepers from languishing in solitary confinement. 

Haslam Will Allow ‘Sanctuary Cities’ Bill into Law, Won’t Sign

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on May 21, 2018
Gov. Bill Haslam will allow a measure prohibiting sanctuary cities in Tennessee to become law without his signature, The Tennessean reports. The new law will also require law enforcement officials to comply with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The Shelby County Commission, Nashville Metro Council, national organizations and local activists had pushed for Haslam to veto the bill. Haslam said that if he vetoed the bill, he believed there would be a special session of the legislature called to attempt to override his decision, and claimed that a veto would have prolonged a discussion that was “driving up a lot of fear on both sides.”

Final Vanderbilt Rape Defendant Gets 10 Years Probation in Plea Deal

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on May 21, 2018
The final defendant in the Vanderbilt rape case pleaded guilty today, accepting 10 years of probation and the condition that he must register as a sex offender for life, The Tennessean reports. Jaborian “Tip” McKenzie, who was not recorded ever touching the victim during the attack, previously cooperated with prosecutors and testified against his co-defendants.

Schaffzin Named Interim Dean of Memphis Law

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on May 21, 2018
Katharine Traylor Schaffzin has been named the interim dean of the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. Schaffzin has served as Associate Dean of the Law School for the past year and has been with the University of Memphis since 2009. Schaffzin replaces Peter Letsou, who is returning to a faculty position in the law school. She previously served as Director of Faculty Development from 2012 to 2017. Her scholarship has focused on evidentiary privileges, as well as teaching methods best suited for first generation college students.

Nashville Attorneys' New Book Looks at Marriage Equality from Faith, Legal Perspectives

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on May 21, 2018
A new book written by two Nashville attorneys describes the battle for gay marriage equality, both in the courtroom and in the church sanctuary, The Tennessean reports. “The Fight for Marriage: Church Conflicts and Courtroom Contests” was written by Phillip Cramer and Bill Harbison, who became involved in the Obergefell v. Hodges decision while simultaneously helping their Methodist congregation move towards becoming more inclusive.  

Ginsburg Calls for ‘Bipartisan Spirit’ While Accepting Friendly Medal

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on May 21, 2018
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg accepted the Henry J. Friendly Medal from the American Law Institute today and used the opportunity to call for a return to the “bipartisan spirit” that previously existed in Congress during judicial confirmations. Politico reports that Chief Justice John Roberts presented Ginsburg the award, which is given for “contributions to the law.” Only one other Supreme Court justice, Sandra Day O’Connor, has received the medal since it was first presented in 1987.
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