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ABA Center for Innovation Accepting Fellowship Applications

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jan 19, 2017
The American Bar Association’s Center for Innovation is accepting applications for a full-time fellowship in Chicago, which focuses on developing and launching “new projects to address critical needs in the legal sector." The program aims to attract those interested in technology and access to justice. Recent law school graduates (within five years) can apply for a NextGen Fellowship, and all attorneys are invited to apply for an Innovation Fellowship. Applications are due Jan. 31.

Nashville Woman Gets 15 Years for Murder of Teen

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jan 19, 2017
Antwana Smith today pleaded guilty to second-degree murder of 14-year-old Treyonta Burleson, and was sentenced to 15 years by a Nashville court, the Tennessean reports. Burleson was the youngest victim of gun violence in 2015, a year that was notable for the highest death rate among young people in a decade. Burleson's death was one of the catalysts for Nashville Mayor Megan Barry's youth violence initiative.

SCOTUS Reviews Trademark Case Over 'Offensive' Band Name

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jan 19, 2017
The U.S. Supreme Court Wednesday began to review the constitutionality of a federal law that denies protection to disparaging trademarks. According to a Reuters report published by the Daily Mail, the case was brought by the Asian-American rock band The Slants, who were denied a trademark on the name after the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office deemed it offensive to Asians. The band’s attorney claims the decision violates the group's First Amendment rights. The court’s ruling could set new parameters for trademark registration, and could affect other high-profile disputes, such as the case of the Washington Redskins football team's trademark, which was canceled in 2014.

Bill Aims to Define Mother, Father Based on Biology

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jan 18, 2017
Two lawmakers filed legislation this week to establish strictly-defined parameters for the terms mother, father, husband and wife based on “biological distinctions between women and men,” the Tennessean reports. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Janice Bowling, R-Tullahoma, and Rep. John Ragan, R-Oak Ridge, comes following a 2016 child custody case in Knoxville involving same-sex parents. If the bill passes, the definition would apply any time those words are used in Tennessee law, no matter the law’s topic. A Tennessean search of the 2016 Annotated Code found just the word "mother" alone appeared in 110 sections. A similar bill died in the state legislature last year.

Video Now Available from Public Service Awards Luncheon

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jan 18, 2017

The TBA recognized its Public Service Award honorees Saturday during a luncheon at its 2017 Leadership Conference. Harris Gilbert Pro Bono Volunteer of the Year winner Susan Gruber, Ashley T. Wiltshire Public Service Attorney of the Year winner Richard Taylor and Law Student Volunteer of the Year winner Kirsten Jacobson were recognized for their public service contributions and achievements. TBA President Jason Long emceed the event, which also featured a keynote address from former Nashville Mayor and Public Defender Karl Dean. Watch the program now.

Law Students Clock 2.2 Million Hours of Pro Bono Service

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jan 18, 2017
New figures compiled by the Association of American Law Schools (AALS) show that law students in 2016 performed more than 2.2 million hours of pro bono work while in school, according to Law.com. The survey was conducted among American Bar Association-accredited schools, and AALS said it was the first of its kind. The legal work was valued at more than $52 million. AALS Communications Director James Greif said the stats show "what the value of law schools is to communities."

ABA Forms Task Force to Study College Sexual Assault

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jan 18, 2017
The American Bar Association’s Criminal Justice Section has formed a Task Force on College Due Process Rights and Victim Protections, which will research and develop best practices to ensure due process for victims and the accused in sexual misconduct cases on college campuses. The findings will be drafted into a report along with recommendations and submitted to the section and ABA House of Delegates.

Knox Bankruptcies at 10-year Low; Tenn. Still Leads Nation in Total Cases

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jan 18, 2017
Bankruptcies in Knoxville reached a 10-year low in 2016, despite the fact that the state leads the nation in number of bankruptcies, according to Knoxnews. Statistics from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court’s Eastern Division of Tennessee show 3,862 cases, down from a 7,189 peak in 2009. Total cases statewide for last year were at 36,052, a decline from 2015. Factors cited include rising incomes and property values, lower fuel prices and lower interest rates.

Former Cleveland Officer Gets 3 Years for Insurance Fraud

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jan 18, 2017

Former Cleveland police officer Edwin Millan was sentenced to three years today, after his conviction in October for making a false report, tampering with evidence and insurance fraud. According to WRCB-TV, Millan paid someone $500 to drive his car over state lines and burn it so he could collect insurance money.

Sevier Co. Insurance Claims from Wildfire Victims Reach $842M

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Jan 18, 2017
Insurance claims stemming from the devastating wildfires in east Tennessee have reached more than $842 million from 3,947 claims, according to USA Today. This figure comes from the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, and is well above the $500 million estimated previously. It does not include damages to uninsured structures. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been offering assistance for businesses and home owners who experienced damages to building which were uninsured or under-insured. Information on disaster legal assistance is available from the TBA. 
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