Patricia Donice Butler was temporarily suspended from the practice of law on March 13 for failing to respond to the Board of Professional Responsibility regarding a complaint of misconduct. View the BPR notice.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Ed Bryant writes about Jackson’s first women lawyers in a feature in the Jackson Sun. As part of the women’s history month theme “Weaving Stories of Women’s Lives,” Bryant highlights trailblazers such as Kate Campbell Robertson, who became one of Cumberland Law School’s earliest female graduates in 1914, and Sue Shelton White, who earned her law degree in 1923 and became the first woman admitted to the federal court.

The Supreme Court today heard arguments challenging whether the state of Texas can refuse to issue a license plate featuring the Confederate battle flag without violating the free-speech rights of Texans who want one, the Times News reports. The Texas division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans sued over the state’s decision not to authorize its proposed license plate with its logo bearing the battle flag, similar to plates issued by eight other states that were members of the Confederacy and Maryland.

Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Chris Devaney announced he is resigning effective April 11, the Tennessean reports. In a statement, Devaney said he has accepted the post as executive director of the Children's Nutrition Program of Haiti, "a faith-based nonprofit" headquartered in Chattanooga where he and his family lives. 

More than 600 high school students filled the Capitol this weekend as part of the Tennessee YMCA's Youth in Government — a mock government program to draw students into the political process, replete with a press corps and robed justices. The student government voted 26 bills into law over the four-day conference. The students penned legislation on topics that could be found on the agenda of the elected officials: health and safety, education, discrimination and the environment took priority. The Tennessean has more.

The University of Tennessee College of Law has been named one of the best law schools nationwide for “practical training,” the school announced. According to The National Jurist, UT Law earned a B- score as rated for the number of full-time students participating in experimental offerings, including externships, clinics and interscholastic skills competitions.

The Supreme Court has turned away a challenge to Wisconsin’s voter identification law, the New York Times reports. The Supreme Court’s decision not to hear the case was a surprise, as the court last year temporarily blocked the law for the November election, and voters were not required to show photo identifications in order to vote. 

The Department of Revenue has enhanced its Hall Income Tax website. The new portal has been streamlined so it is easier to navigate and make a payment for returns that have already been filed. 

Legal Aid of East Tennessee is seeking a full-time staff attorney for the Knoxville office to handle general civil litigation and related matters. Applicants should submit a letter of interest, resume, three references and a writing sample to 502 S. Gay St., Suite 404 in Knoxville. View the announcement. 

Bradley County has agreed to provide misdemeanor probation services to Polk County and has approved a plan to build a 128-bed workhouse facility for misdemeanor offenders. Bradley County probation officers will take on an estimated 200 to 250 Polk County misdemeanor cases. Polk County Attorney James Logan praised the agreement and expressed hope that it would evolve into similar agreements across the 10th Judicial District -- which encompasses Bradley, Polk, Monroe and McMinn counties -- along with Meigs County in the 9th Judicial District. The Chattanooga Times Free Press has more.