The American College of Trial Lawyers is accepting applications for its 2016 Emil Gumpert Award, an annual honor with a $100,000 prize awarded to an outstanding program that is designed to improve the administration of justice.  The deadline to submit an application is Oct. 15.

Gov. Bill Haslam and Transportation Commissioner John Schroer finished a six-week statewide tour discussing underfunded transportation projects with legislators, city officials and business leaders, Nooga reports. Haslam has not commented on what proposals he may bring forward in the upcoming legislative season, but the Republican governor has not ruled out an increase to the state’s gas tax.

State Sen. Jack Johnson, R-Franklin, submitted a bill that would stop a Nashville charter amendment requiring contractors wanting to do business with the city to hire a certain number of local workers, WSMV reports. Nashville mayor-elect Megan Barry supported Amendement 3 that passed in the August election. “It is unfortunate that legislators outside of Davidson County feel the need to override the will of 58 percent of the voters in Nashville,” Barry said. “I would hope that lawmakers from across the state would support the concept of local control.”

Montgomery County Veterans Treatment Court Judge Ken Goble and the program’s participants met for a one-hour workout at the “All Rise for Exercise” event, held at Austin Peay State University on Aug. 25. “I place a special emphasis on exercise as a hobby men and women in our program should take up,” Goble said. “PT is good for PTSD. This also gives them a chance to see me in a less formal setting.” The Leaf-Chronicle has more. 

Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer hopes his new book, “The Court and World," will help people who are not lawyers understand the court system, the Associated Press reports. "The best way to preserve our basic American values in respect to democracy, human rights, commerce, and the rule of law itself, is to learn about, participate in and understand what is going on in the world," he said. The 77-year-old said educating the public may be easier if cameras were allowed in the courtroom, but during a recent appearance on "The Late Show" with Stephen Colbert, The Hill reports Breyer defended the camera ban saying oral arguments only make up for five percent of the court's proceedings.

Lawyers, judges are others working in the jutice system are invited to attend the Memphis Red Mass, scheduled for Friday at noon at St. Peter Church, 190 Adams Ave. A reception will follow in the Parish Hall. For more information, contact Sandy Beck at 901-328-3542.

Soddy Daisy Municipal Judge Marty Lasley and assistant public defender Mike Little submitted papers to run for criminal court judge in Division Two in next year's election. Judge Rebecca Stern is retiring from the court, the Chattanoogan reports. Little was one of the initial finalists for an interim appointment from Gov. Bill Haslam, but the governor later requested additional recommendations.

The Tennessee Supreme Court disbarred Fletcher Whaley Long Sept. 14 from the practice of law. The court reported Long charged unreasonable fees, provided incompetent representation, filed meritless claims and more. Read the BPR release.

Sharon Elizabeth England was disbarred on Monday by the Tennessee Supreme Court after she failed to appear at a status hearing, failed to notify her client of the dismissal in the case, abandoned her practice and more. England had not been reinstated following suspensions in 2013, 2014 and 2015. Read the BPR release.

Former Tennessee Attorney General Robert E. Cooper Jr. will serve as compliance monitor in a landmark settlement with Daymar College in Owensboro, Kentucky, announced last week by Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway. The settlement resolves a consumer protection lawsuit filed by Conway and provides debt relief and/or cash payments and strong injunctive terms governing Daymar's future operations. It's estimated that 12,294 former Daymar students are eligible for settlement relief. Cooper, who is now in practice at Bass Berry & Sims in Nashville, will monitor the school's actions over the next two years.