The Chattanooga Bar Association (CBA) honored seven attorneys at the 116th Annual Meeting yesterday. Michael N. St. Charles of Chamblis Bahner Stophel was awarded the Ralph M. Kelly Humanitarian Award; Lee Davis of Davis & Hoss was awarded the President’s Award; B. Paul Hatcher of Duncan Hatcher Hixson & Fleenor was awarded the Albert Hodge Volunteer Award; William P. Aiken Jr. was awarded the Harry Weil Zealous Practice of Law Award; Paul R Leitner of Leitner Williasm Dooley & Napolitan was awarded the Joe Chambliss Lifetime Achievement Award; and H. Eric Burnette of Burnett Dobson & Pinchak and Kirby Yost of Chambliss Bahner & Stophel were jointly awarded the Young Lawyer Division Volunteer of the Year Award. To learn more about the honorees, visit the CBA website.

The House Local Government Committee will vote Tuesday on HB610, which would allow wine to be sold in grocery stores. The measure failed to win approval in the committee by one vote last year, however, the bill’s sponsor Rep. Jon Lundberg, R-Bristol, says opposing sides are close to striking a deal that should lead to passage. He expects a compromise amendment to be put before the committee before a vote is taken. Lundberg declined to outline the tentative compromise, but indicated it would not exclude “big box” retailers such as Walmart and Costco from selling wine, Knoxnews reports.

Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring today declared the state’s ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional and said he won’t defend it in federal lawsuits. Herring, a Democrat and former state senator, stressed marriage equality as part of his campaign last year. His narrow election and Terry McAuliffe's victory as governor marked a major change in Virginia politics with Democrats replacing conservatives in top executive positions. "It's time for the commonwealth to be on the right side of history and the right side of the law," he said at a news conference. CNN's PoliticalTicker blog has more. 

The Frist Foundation has agreed to fund a comprehensive, statewide study of the legal needs of low-income and homeless Tennesseans. The study, to be conducted by the University of Tennessee's College of Social Work Office of Research and Public Service, will include an updated needs assessment, identifying the civil legal needs of low-income Tennesseans, as well as the effectiveness of the current system for meeting these needs. “The Frist Foundation ... has been generous to the bench and bar of this state for many years," former Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Frank Drowota said of the grant. "This most recent gift to the Access to Justice Commission will help the bench and bar of this state address the legal needs of those who need and deserve our help." Read more about the project. 

Sen. Jim Summerville, R-Dickson, walked out of a Martin Luther King Jr. Day banquet hosted by the Dickson County NAACP after what he calls “racist” remarks by Tennessee State University President Dr. Brenda Glover. Glover, who earned a law degree from Georgetown University, described a “selfish government and cruel electorate” that she said has shown disdain for President Barack Obama because of his skin color. At that point, Summerville said, he got up and left. In an interview Monday night with the Tennessean, he described that portion of Glover’s speech as bigoted and false. Glover disputed the characterization and said she has reached out to Summerville to discuss it.

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to review whether warrantless searches of the contents of cell phones violate the Constitution. The justices granted review in two closely watched cases: Riley v. California, stemming from a decision by the California Court of Appeal, and U.S. v. Wurie, an appeal from a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. The Blog of the Legal Times has more.

Melissa Moore was sworn in as Child Support Magistrate for the 4th Judicial District during ceremonies this morning at the Sevier County Courthouse. Moore will begin her term on Feb. 1. TBA President Cindy Wyrick made brief remarks at the ceremony. The 4th Judicial district serves Cocke, Grainer, Jefferson and Sevier counties. Read more from the Jefferson County Post.

The Governor’s Office is accepting applications to appoint and commission a special judge for the General Sessions Court of Sullivan County, Division IV. Current Judge Watson has asked to be placed on medical disability status. All interested attorneys residing in Sullivan County should submit a resume and cover letter to the governor’s office by Feb. 7. Download the vacancy notice for more information.

Carol Hardwick Stewart was transferred to disability inactive status on Jan. 21. Stewart cannot practice law while on disability inactive status, but may return after reinstatement by the Tennessee Supreme Court upon showing clear and convincing evidence that the disability has been removed and she is fit to resume the practice of law. Download the BPR notice.

Gerald L. Melton, public defender for the 16th Judicial District, has officially announced his candidacy for re-election, the Cannon Courier reports. The 16th Judicial District is comprised of Rutherford and Cannon Counties. Melton said that his motto as Public Defender is, "Protecting the public by defending the Constitution," adding that "this task is more important today than ever before."