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Mock Trial 2018 Now Accepting Volunteers

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jan 30, 2018
 
The Mock Trial Committee, which plans and executes the Tennessee State High School Mock Trial Competition each year, is seeking volunteer judges, attorneys, paralegals, legal staff and law students to help with the 2018 competition as presiding judges, scorers and bailiffs. 
 
This year’s problem is a civil case and the two-day state competition involving dozens of teams and hundreds of volunteers will take place on March 23-24, 2018, in downtown Nashville. The winning team will get a chance to take part in the National High School Mock Trial competition in Reno, Nevada on May 10-13, 2018. 
 
The 2018 Mock Trial Problem with Exhibits is available on the TBA.org website.
 
Many TBA members have participated in this long-running, successful competition over the years and have enjoyed their experiences. Those with questions about the case or about volunteering should contact Mock Trial Committee Chair Rob Sands.

YLD Election Petitions Due Feb. 15

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jan 30, 2018
Young lawyers interested in running for leadership positions within the Young Lawyers Division (YLD) have until February 15, 2018 to file a nominating petition with YLD Secretary John R. Wilks. Positions open for the 2018-2019 bar year include the following:
 
• Vice President (must be from the Western Grand Division; ascends to presidency in 2020-2021)
• East Tennessee Governor
• Middle Tennessee Governor
• West Tennessee Governor
• Secretary
• Treasurer
• Even-numbered District Representatives:
District 2: Anderson, Campbell, Claiborne, Cocke, Fentress, Grainger, Jefferson, Scott, Sevier, Union counties
District 4: Bledsoe, Blount, Bradley, Loudon, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Polk, Rhea, Roane counties
District 6: Clay, Cumberland, DeKalb, Jackson, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Van Buren, Warren, White counties
District 8: Macon, Smith, Sumner, Trousdale, Wilson counties
District 10: Cheatham, Dickson, Houston, Humphreys, Montgomery, Robertson, Stewart counties
District 12: Benton, Carroll, Crockett, Dyer, Gibson, Henry, Lake, Obion, Weakley counties
District 14: Shelby County
  
Be reminded that candidates for Executive Committee positions must complete a nominating petition signed by at least 25 TBA members in good standing. These positions include: vice president, secretary, treasurer, and the three grand division governors. Candidates for district representative seats may file the standard nomination petition.
 
Ballots will be submitted electronically. Guidelines adopted by the YLD Board of Governors dictate that all YLD members will be presumed to have opted for voting via electronic ballot unless a member expresses a desire for paper ballot in either a separate writing or by selecting this option in the member profile section in the TBA membership database. Such preference must be designated by February 1, 2018. For more details about the electronic voting process instituted last year, see the TBA website.
 
For all YLD positions, candidates must be members of the division at the time of their nomination. Petitions should be submitted to John Wilks by email no later than February 15, 2018. Questions about the election should be directed to Wilks by email or phone, (615) 800-7096. 
 
Read the full election notice and download nominating petitions or visit the YLD’s election webpage for details about length of term and qualifications for office.

TBALL Kicks Off with Opening Retreat at Montgomery Bell State Park

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jan 30, 2018
 
The TBA Leadership Law (TBALL) Class of 2018 met for the first time in January and had a successful and invigorating opening retreat at Montgomery Bell State Park. This year’s class is being led by co-chairs Loretta Cravens of Knoxville and Judge Brandon Gibson of Jackson. TBALL’s next meeting will be on Feb. 13 in Nashville as the group learns about "Issues in Policy and Politics."

Carter County Lawyer Suspended

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jan 29, 2018
The Supreme Court on Friday temporarily suspended Carter County lawyer Gregory Scott Norris from the practice of law upon finding that he poses a threat of substantial harm to the public. Norris is immediately precluded from accepting any new cases, and he must cease representing existing clients by Feb. 28. This suspension remains in effect until dissolution or modification by the Supreme Court.

U.S. Attorney’s Office Supports Media Push for Unsealing Pilot Flying J Documents

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jan 29, 2018
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Trey Hamilton and David Lewen have filed a response to the legal effort by local media outlets to unseal a cache of court documents related to the trial of former Pilot Flying J executives, Knoxnews reports. The documents involve secret recordings made by the FBI and IRS of former Pilot Flying J President Mark Hazelwood and his subordinates making racist statements. Hazelwood and three other former employees are currently on trial for their involvement in a scheme to rip off small trucking companies with fuel discounts they never intended to pay.

Divorce Attorney to the Stars Launches DIY Divorce Site

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jan 29, 2018
Laura Wasser, a go-to divorce attorney for celebrities, has launched a new website that she says will help couples get divorced without hiring an attorney, the Associated Press reports. The site, called It’s Over Easy, allows couples in New York County and across California to handle divorces and child custody arrangements online. Wasser compares the experience to online shopping, saying her goal is “changing the face of divorce.” 

LSAC: Law School Applications Up More Than 10 Percent

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jan 29, 2018
New information released from the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) shows law school applications have increased by 10.6 percent over this time last year, the ABA Journal reports. LSAC also reports that students with higher LSAT scores are applying compared to the previous admission cycle. Overall numbers of test-takers have also risen in the past year, prompting LSAC to offer the LSAT test six times per year, up from four.

Court Orders Protection for Memphis Confederate Monuments

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jan 29, 2018
A Nashville court has ordered that Memphis Greenspace Inc., the nonprofit that recently removed two Confederate statues from Memphis parks, must keep and preserve the monuments, The Commercial Appeal reports. Davidson County Chancellor Ellen Hobbs Lyle ordered the organization to refrain from selling, gifting or moving the statues, pending a “contested case hearing” before the Tennessee Historical Commission. The commission will determine whether the city violated state law by selling the parks that housed the statues to Memphis Greenspace, thereby ceding control of the monuments to the nonprofit.

Haslam to Talk Education, Job Growth in Final State of State Address

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jan 29, 2018
Gov. Bill Haslam will address the Tennessee General Assembly for the final time tonight, when he is expected to reflect on progress made in job creation and public schools, as well as discuss his new plan to fight the opioid epidemic, the Times Free Press reports. The address will begin at 6 p.m. CST and will be streamed online.

Sumerford to Depart AG's Office

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jan 29, 2018
Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III today announced that Director of Communications Harlow Sumerford will leave the Attorney General’s Office to join the communications team at HCA Healthcare. Sumerford's responsibilities included management of internal and external communications, speech writing and multiple special projects. Slatery called the move a "bummer" for the AG's office, but said he was happy for Sumerford. 
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