Gov. Bill Haslam says that the key to an agreement allowing employees to store their firearms in vehicles parked at work is to exclude college campuses. The National Rifle Assocation and other proponents of the bill argue that banning guns in company parking lots prevent workers from being armed during their commute, while opponents such as the business lobby argue the measure infringes on property rights. Haslam said his administration would not take a lead on the issue, but would fight to keep educational institutions out of the final version.

The Tennessee Supreme Court disbarred Sullivan County attorney David Garrett Mullins on Nov. 30 for neglect, failure to communicate with clients, practicing law while suspended, and accepting fees then abandoning client’s cases. He has been ordered to pay restitution to former client’s totaling $15,445. Download the BPR notice.

Bradley H. Frakes was reinstated to the practice of law by order of the Supreme Court on Nov. 27. His reinstatement is subject to several conditions, including restitution to a former client and use of a practice monitor.  In November 2011, Frakes was suspended for one year, retroactive to his temporary suspenson in November 2010. Download the BPR notice. 

Terry D. Dycus of Somerville was suspended Nov. 27 by order of the Tennessee Supreme Court for one year, consisting of a 45-day active suspension and the remainder to be served on probation. He was also ordered to perform 10 hours of pro bono services and complete additional continuing legal education credits during his probation. Dycus admitted engaging in conversation of a sexual nature with two criminal defendants who were being prosecuted by the District Attorney's office for which he also worked. He was not the Assistant District Attorney assigned to those cases; however, he admitted that both defendants were represented by counsel and that he did not have permission to speak with either defendant. Download the BPR notice.

Former Circuit Judge Thomas Greer died this morning (Nov. 29). He was 89. A Cumberland School of Law graduate, Judge Greer was appointed to the Twelfth Judicial Circuit post in 1970 and served until 1994. After leaving the bench, he conducted a limited law practice and did pro bono work. Visitation for Judge Greer will be Saturday at Ewton Funeral Home in Dunlap,  from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Dunlap. Funeral services will take place directly following visitation at 2 p.m.

Knox County Criminal Court Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood sent a letter to state and defense attorneys asking to schedule Vanessa Coleman’s sentencing date for Feb.1. Judge Blackwood also stated he would hear defense attorney Theodore Lavit's motion for a new trial at that time. Coleman, who was convinced of 13 of 17 counts related to facilitation of the Christian Newsom murders, could receive up to 45 years in prison.

U.S. District Judge S. Thomas Anderson ordered his Memphis courtroom cleared after jurors and others attending the trail of alleged sex trafficker and pimp Terrance “T-Rex” Yarbrough noticed a strong gasoline-like odor, the Commercial Appeal reports. Earlier, Judge Anderson ordered marshals to remove a friend of the defendant after she appeared to be smirking and laughing at victims as an intimidation tactic. Testimony will continue tomorrow.

Hamilton County Criminal Court Judge Barry Steelman denied pretrial diversion for a man charged with criminally negligent homicide in a 2010 crash between his towboat and a small fishing boat on the Tennessee River. The case also is scheduled for a federal civil trial in July 2013.

Kingsport native Michael LaGuardia credits his parents with instilling in him a strong work ethic and drive to “give back” to his community. He explains to the Kingsport Times News that his desire to give back stems from a tradition that started with his distant relative, famed New York City Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia, who strove to be a righteous man of the people during the Great Depression. LaGuardia hopes to uphold his family’s legacy by one day becoming a judge.

Former state legislator Laban Ray DeFriese died Wednesday in Franklin at the age of 79. Born in Chattanoga, Mr. DeFriese was a graduate of Tyner High School, the University of Tennessee, and the University of Tennessee Law School. In the early 70s, he served in the Tennessee House of Representatives. He also created a successful business, Continental Caviar, and became one of only two Tennesseans ever featured on the front page of the Wall Street Journal. Funeral services will be held tomorrow at 9 a.m. in the Heritage Funeral Home chapel. Visit the Chattanogan for more information.