Humphreys County lawyer James Phillips Bradley was suspended on June 25 for allegedly signing his client’s name to a petition in a child-endangerment matter and notarizing the signature as that of the client. Thereafter, he filed the petition with the trial court and obtained an ex parte custody order. The trial court dismissed the petition upon learning that Bradley had signed the client’s name. In addition to suspension, Bradley must attend an ethics workshop and pay the board’s costs, expenses and court costs. Download the BPR notice.

The U.S. Justice Department said a federal grand jury in Nashville indicted and charged Micheal Mancil Brown of Franklin with six counts of wire fraud and six counts of extortion in a scheme involving former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney’s income tax returns during the 2012 campaign. Brown is accused of having an anonymous letter delivered to the PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP accounting firm in Franklin last August, demanding that $1 million in digital currency be deposited to a Bitcoin account to keep some of Romney's income tax returns from being released. The Nashville City Paper has the story.

Gov. Bill Haslam is hurting over the scandal his family is enduring over the Flying Pilot J investigation, the Nashville Scene reports. Citing a front page article in the Wall Street Journal, the Scene quotes Haslam as saying it is difficult to concentrate. "It's my father, my brother," he says. "I have a job to do, but that doesn't mean that inside you aren't hurting." The article also delves into the Flying Pilot J finances and Jimmy Haslam’s acquisition of the Cleveland Browns football team.

In a 68-32 vote, the Senate today passed the most sweeping, historic immigration legislation in decades, the Tennessean reports. The measure will offer the hope of American citizenship to millions of people, while promising a military-style surge to secure the border. The measure now heads to the House, although prospects there are not nearly as good as many conservatives oppose the reform.

State Rep. JoAnne Favors, D-Chattanooga, hosted a community meeting today at the Kingdom Center in Chattanooga to inform parents of child support laws and hear their concerns. Hundreds of people have complained that they have been put in jail, had their driver's licenses revoked and lost housing because they did not earn enough money to pay child support and living expenses, Favors told the Chattanooga Times Free Press. The forum intended to teach parents about legal aspects of child support and the federal grant programs available in Hamilton County that can provide specific assistance to parents. As of Tuesday there were 23,729 open child support cases in Hamilton County, said Christopher Garrett, director of communications with the Tennessee Department of Human Services.

Gov. Bill Haslam held a ceremonial bill signing in Memphis yesterday for legislation (HB 196/SB 202) that rewrites and simplified the criminal gang offense enhanced punishment law. According to the Chattanoogan, gang-related crimes are of increasing concern across Tennessee, in the state’s rural and urban communities, and the bill changes the definition of “criminal gang offense” from a vague and broad definition to a specific list of offenses that will make it easier for prosecutors to seek a greater sentence.

Tennessee Congressman Scott DesJarlais, R-Jasper, has introduced legislation that would forbid U.S. military involvement in Syria, Nashville Public Radio reports. It’s the opposite position of fellow Republican, Sen. Bob Corker, who has been outspoken in support of pressing for a more active role in Syria. U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper, D-Nashville, along with Republicans representatives Diane Black, Jimmy Duncan and Phil Roe have expressed reservations about increased U.S. involvement. Sen. Lamar Alexander says U.S. intervention is likely, but the administration should consult with congress first. And he said the president should avoid getting U.S. forces involved in another war in the Middle East.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit said today that companies, whether for profit or not, have religious rights. Arts and crafts chain Hobby Lobby Stores Inc. and Christian bookstore chain Mardel Inc. challenged a part of the 2010 healthcare overhaul requiring that employee health insurance plans include free contraceptive coverage. The court sent the case back to a federal district judge for further consideration but ruled that the two companies could likely make their case although it stopped short of blocking the contraceptive mandate. The Wall Street Journal law blog has the story (Subscription required.)

Legal Aid of East Tennessee tonight is honoring attorneys and firms who donated their time serving pro bono clients over the past year. U.S. Rep Chuck Fleischmann will be receiving the Chief Justice William M. Barker Equal Access to Justice Award for his lifelong commitment to access to justice. Also being honored is Chattanooga attorney Max Bahner of Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel P.C., who is receiving the Bruce C. Bailey Volunteer Lawyer of the Year Award for his work on two challenging, litigation-heavy and compelling cases. A third award will be presented to Miller & Martin PLLC, which is being named the Pro Bono Firm of the Year for its strong support for Legal Aid of East Tennessee.

Justice Janice Holder’s announcement yesterday that she will retire after her term ends in August 2014 has come at a time when changes in the selection process for judges are both under way and under consideration, complicating and confusing procedures for filling her seat. The announcement came too late for Tennessee’s Judicial Nominating Commission to suggest successors before the commission’s legal authority expires Sunday. Gavel Grab reports that spokespeople for Gov. Bill Haslam and the Administrative Office of the Courts have expressed that it is unclear how Justice Holder’s seat will be filled.