State House Democratic Caucus Chairman Mike Turner announced today he will not seek re-election to the House District 51 after 14 years in office. The Nashville Democrat told House colleagues on the floor this morning during personal orders. Turner, the House's No. 2 Democrat, has not ruled out running for Metro Nashville mayor in 2015, the Chattanooga Times Free Press reports.

Sumner County Circuit Court Judge C.L. “Buck” Rogers died early this morning of an aortic aneurysm. He was 63. Rogers first ran for the office in 2000 to fill an unexpired term for Judge Thomas Goodall who also passed away while in office. He was elected again in 2006 and was running unopposed in the Sumner County Republican Primary in May. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at First United Methodist Church in Hendersonville. Visitation will be 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday at Hendersonville Memory Gardens and Funeral Home.

In an interview with MetroPulse, Knoxville Bar Association Executive Director Marsha S. Wilson talks about the KBA’s Community Law School, a program that offers free legal assistance with topics like debt, mortgage foreclosures, and wills and advance directives. “The CLS is intended to provide unbiased information on the topics presented, and includes forms that can be utilized by the public. Volunteer local attorneys will be teaching the courses and will be available to answer questions from attendees,” Wilson said. For more information, visit the KBA wesbite or call (865) 522-6522.

No Circuit Court judge within the Third Judicial District will hear the ouster suit filed against Greene County Clerk David Thompson, the Greeneville Sun reports. The suit was filed last week by County Attorney Pro Tempore Suzanne Cook, who was appointed that same day by the Greene County Commission to act in place of County Attorney Roger Woolsey on the Thompson case.

The law license of Russell Dale Mays was transferred to disability inactive status on Feb. 25. Mays may return to the practice of law after reinstatement by the Tennessee Supreme Court upon showing of clear and convincing evidence that the disability has been removed and he is fit to resume. Download the BPR notice.

On Feb. 25, Edward L. Swinger was temporarily suspended from the practice of law for failing to respond to the Board of Professional Responsibility regarding a complaint of misconduct. Download the BPR notice.

Reports on law firm revenues show a growing divide among firms. Law firm revenue grew by 2.5 percent last year, according to a survey of 180 law firms by Citi Private Bank, the ABA Journal reports. However, the survey found that the top-grossing 50 firms did substantially better than other segments of the market, and global firms with a strong international presence saw the biggest increases in revenue. A different survey of 115 firms by Wells Fargo Private Bank found a divide in law firm revenues last year that ranged from a 20 percent increase to a 21 percent decline, the article says.

The U.S Supreme Court ruled yesterday that police may search a home without a warrant when two occupants disagree about allowing officers to enter if the objecting resident is not present. The court had ruled in 2006 that when the occupants in disagreement are both present, the objecting occupant prevails. Justice Samuel Alito wrote the court's 6-3 decision, WRCBTV reports.

Attorney General Eric Holder yesterday told state attorney generals that they are not obligated to defend laws in their states banning same-sex marriage if the laws discriminate in a way forbidden by the Constitution. "Any decisions — at any level — not to defend individual laws must be exceedingly rare," Holder said at a meeting of the top law enforcers' national association. "And they must never stem merely from policy or political disagreements — hinging instead on firm constitutional grounds." WKRN News 2 has the story.

Legislation to raise the minimum wage in Tennessee was defeated 3-2 today in the Consumer and Human Resources Subcommittee, the Tennessean reports. House Bill 1694, sponsored by Rep. Mike Turner, D-Old Hickory, would have required employers to raise the hourly wage $1 to at least $8.25 starting July 1 for thousands of workers who have not been offered health insurance.