TBA President Lucian Pera Applauds Supreme Court for Leading the Effort

The Tennessee Supreme Court today announced it will support reform of the state’s method for providing legal assistance to individuals unable to afford an attorney. Responding to a report from its Indigent Representation Task Force, the Court said it will seek funding to increase the rate attorneys are paid to work on such cases to $65 per hour, and will also request an appropriation in next year’s budget to raise compensation caps by $500 on all felonies and by $250 on juvenile matters. In a statement this afternoon, TBA President Lucian Pera said, “The TBA applauds the Supreme Court’s strong leadership on indigent representation reform. We look forward to partnering with the Court and others interested in making real improvement on the status quo." Pera added, “The Court’s recommendations regarding rates and caps is a step in the right direction. Frankly, it’s a small step, and it is not enough; but it is a start.” 

Attorney Robert Doyle “R.D.” Cox died on Sept. 24. He was 91. He was hired by Memphis State University’s new Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law in 1962, and served as dean until 1977. Cox continued teaching law school for many years after his retirement as dean. Cox spent time in the U.S. Army before studying law at Oklahoma University. He began his career practicing law in Oklahoma, but was recalled by the Army to serve in the JAG core in 1952. He earned a Master of Laws from Duke University and relocated to Kingsport, Tenn. to work for Eastman Kodak. Visitation and funeral were on Monday. In lieu of flowers, a memorial may be made to The Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law or to the Bill Graham Foundation.

The first court hearing in the Brentwood Academy sexual assault case, held this morning, was filled with fiery words and surprises, The Tennessean reports. The case involves a former student and his mother, who are accusing the school of negligence and four boys of sexual assault. Just a few hours before the hearing, the student and mother (identified as John Doe and Jane Doe) changed their legal representation. Meanwhile the legal team for the school and the accused boys lashed out at the outgoing attorney for the Does for filing a legal complaint they say was filled with “reckless misrepresentations.”