The 14th Edition of the Alimony Bench Book is now available from the TBA Family Law Section. Produced by the members of the section’s Alimony Committee, the book is available for purchase in a loose-leaf format for $40 or a three-ring binder for $50. To order the book, visit the TBA’s online bookstore or contact the TBA at (615) 383-7421. Members of the Family Law Section can download the new edition at no charge by logging in to TBA.org and going to the Resources link on the Family Law Section's webpage.  

The state House last week passed a resolution thanking Tennessee’s U.S. Sens. Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker for stating they will not vote for anyone nominated by President Barack Obama as a U.S. Supreme Court nominee. House Democratic Caucus Chairman Mike Stewart of Nashville criticized the measure (HR178) as "engaging in these partisan games." Read more from The Knoxville News Sentinel.

The state Senate last week unanimously approved a bill that would repeal the "spiritual treatment" exemption to the state's child abuse and neglect statute, the Knoxville News Sentinel reports. The measure (SB 1761 / HB 2043) is sponsored by Sen. Richard Briggs, R-Knoxville, a cardiac surgeon. The exemption was at the center of a case involving the 2002 death of a Loudon County girl after her mother refused medical care in favor of “spiritual treatment” and prayer. The state House Criminal Justice Committee is scheduled to consider the bill Wednesday.

Attorney General Hebert Slatery said attorneys who worked on the case overturning Tennessee’s ban on same-sex marriage should be paid $1.1 million, The Associated Press reports. The figure is $1.2 million less than the 19-attorney team requested. Kentucky lawyers representing same-sex couples were paid $1.1 million. U.S. District Judge Aleta Trauger will determine the amount of fees the lawyers should receive.

As an investigation continues against Rutherford County and a former probation company, The Tennessean reports on lawsuits in a number of states that have “spotlighted tensions between companies and offenders.” Jack Long, a Georgia attorney who has brought 18 suits against a probation company, said, "We still have a system in which there is a profit motive to keep people on probation and to keep them there for as long as possible.”

"Open government is a hallmark principle of a constitutional democracy." The Tennessean argues for the importance of public access to court in the wake of the Erin Andrews case, in which reporters were barred from jury selection. The reporter argues that seeing evidence (some of which had been sealed in 2012 from public disclosure) and viewing the jury’s reaction throughout the Andrews trial are just a few of the reasons why media access, governed by the Tennessee Supreme Court’s Rule 30, is necessary.

U.S. District Judge Sandy Mattice today upheld the conviction and death sentence of Christa Pike, who was convicted of the 1995 torture murder of a fellow Job Corps worker in Knoxville. Pike was 20 when she was sentenced to death, making her the youngest woman to be sentenced to death in the United States since the U.S. Supreme Court's Furman ruling in 1972. Mattice said he did not see “valid grounds” for the appeal to proceed, the Chattanoogan reports. Pike was also convicted in 2004 for nearly strangling a fellow inmate with a shoestring.

The Defendant, James Holmes, was convicted by a Shelby County Criminal Court jury of first degree premeditated murder, felony murder during the attempt to perpetrate a robbery, attempted especially aggravated robbery, attempted first degree murder, attempted carjacking, and employing a firearm during the attempt to commit a dangerous felony. See T.C.A.

A new report commissioned in Canada by the Criminal Lawyers' Association revealed that women are leaving criminal practice at a higher rate than men, CBCNews reports. The study attributes low pay, lack of financial support for maternity leave and being treated differently than male peers by judges as reasons. "We need diverse perspectives to make sure the law develops in step with social values,” said Breese Davies, vice-president of the CLA.

This Rule 10 appeal stems from a vehicular accident involving a minor child who was struck by a van driven by the employee of a children?s daycare. The child?s mother filed suit alleging negligence against the employee-driver of the vehicle and asserted claims for negligent hiring, negligent retention, and negligence per se against the driver?s employers. The mother also averred that she should recover punitive damages based on the conduct of the Defendants.