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Moreland Could Face More Charges, Speaker Calls for Resignation

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Mar 30, 2017
In addition to the charges already facing Nashville Judge Casey Moreland in connection with his arrest, a separate investigation by the state board that disciplines judges is ongoing and could lead to more charges and sanctions, the Tennessean reports. House Speaker Beth Harwell, R-Nashville, is also calling for Moreland to resign. "Tennesseans expect and deserve their judiciary to act in a fair and impartial manner," she said. Legal analysts believe that it’s unlikely that Moreland’s arrest could jeopardize rulings from his courtroom. Lawyers and defendants would have to show wrongdoing in each individual case, the analysts say.

GOP Could Consider Alternative Strategies to Confirm Gorsuch

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Mar 30, 2017
Other than taking the “nuclear option” — which would change the rules regarding filibusters — Senate Republicans have other options to confirm U.S. Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch, the ABA Journal reports. One option is the “two-speech rule,” in which senators could only give two speeches in a legislative day, and if the Senate doesn’t adjourn for the night, one “legislative day” could go on for weeks. It would limit each Democrat to two speeches and after they are finished, only a simple majority vote would be needed for confirmation. The second option is a recess appointment, in which the president could put Gorsuch on the bench during a recess, but the appointment would only last until the next session of Congress, which would end in late 2018 or 2019.

Judge: Williamson Strong Not a PAC

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Mar 30, 2017
An unregistered political group that was fined by the Tennessee Registry of Election Finance for its engagement during the 2014 Williamson County school board elections is not a PAC, according to Judge Michael Begley. The Tennessean reports that the group, called Williamson Strong, faced a complaint from former school board member Susan Curlee for its expenditures towards a website, domain hosting and social media presence. The registry found those expenditures to count as political and issued a fine, but the ruling by Judge Begley overturns that finding.

Supreme Court Upholds Lethal Injection Protocols

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Mar 29, 2017
The Tennessee Supreme Court today upheld state lethal injection protocols in a unanimous opinion, potentially allowing executions to resume, the Tennessean reports. Chief Justice Jeffrey Bivins wrote the opinion, in which the court states that the more than 30 condemned inmates bringing the case failed to show that current protocols violate constitutional provisions against cruel and unusual punishment. 

Longtime Athens Lawyer Dies at 79

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Mar 29, 2017
Athens lawyer John E. Linn died on March 19. He was 79. Linn was a Chattanooga native and a University of Cincinnati School of Law graduate. He started his legal career as a title attorney for TVA and then opened a private practice in Athens in 1969, where he worked until his retirement in 2015. He was a past president of the McMinn-Meigs Bar Association. The family asks that memorial contributions be made to the McMinn Regional Humane Society, 209 Alford Street, Athens.

Campbell County Lawyer Disbarred

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Mar 29, 2017
Effective yesterday, Campbell County lawyer Conrad Mark Troutman was disbarred from the practice of law by the Supreme Court of Tennessee. Troutman was found misappropriating approximately $200,000 in funds while serving as the closing attorney in a real estate transaction and misusing his trust account to pay personal and business expenses. Troutman executed a conditional guilty plea, acknowledging his unethical conduct.

Memphis Man Sentenced to 40 Years in Police Killing

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Mar 29, 2017
Treveno Campbell, the 25-year-old convicted of killing Memphis Police Officer Martoiya Lang, was sentenced to 40 years in prison yesterday in Shelby County Criminal Court, the Commercial Appeal reports. Judge James Beasley sentenced Campbell to 25 years for second-degree murder and additional years for other charges. Lang was the first female police officer killed in the line of duty in Memphis.

Probate Omnibus Bill Ready for House Floor Vote

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Mar 28, 2017

TBA-backed HB 567 has passed through its final House committee and is ready to be scheduled for a House floor vote. That is expected no later than next week. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Pat Marsh, R-Shelbyville, is referred to as the Probate Omnibus Bill. It will update the Tennessee Code to reflect the elimination of the inheritance and estate tax. Two amendments are traveling with the legislation, deleting sections to avoid any negative impact to court orders on bank accounts, land titles and insurance policies. The companion bill, SB 769, sponsored by Sen. John Stevens, R-Huntingdon, is expected to go before the Senate Judiciary committee as soon as next week.

Learn the Neuroscience of Decision-Making at the TBA Convention

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Mar 28, 2017
At the TBA Convention in Kingsport, a special joint Bench/Bar CLE will examine the role neuroscience plays in our decision-making skills and judgment. The session will include exercises, tools and specific strategies for increasing impartiality and integrity in decision-making. The course will identify ways to increase fairness guided by science. The convention will be June 14-17 at the MeadowView Marriott Resort.

Tort and Insurance Forum Location Changed

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Mar 28, 2017
More people than expected have signed up for the Tort and Insurance Forum CLE in Nashville, so the event has been moved to the AT&T Building, a block away from the Tennessee Bar Center at 333 Commerce Street. At the forum, three morning sessions will address the effects of the recent West and Dedmon cases from the perspectives of both plaintiff and defense. 
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