In Praise of ‘History’s Verdict’

I commend the Journal for the excellent historical articles by Russell Fowler. In an era when many colleges are little more than trade schools, history gets short shrift. It is important for everyone, lawyers especially, to understand the historical background of our world and profession.
— Hon. Robert A. Lanier, Memphis

A sign of the times, this Zoom shot shows the Tennessee Bar Association staff at its weekly staff meeting. Like the majority of other businesses in the state, the TBA closed its physical office in mid-March until further notice. But the TBA staff has not slowed down — in fact, it has ramped up, with all-new CLE programming, legislative advocacy and increased communications. 

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program (TLAP) has created a resource guide to assist attorneys who might be dealing with extra stress and pressure because of the outbreak and related closures. The guide includes resources for mental health, recovery and professional needs. TLAP is free and confidential.

DISABILITY INACTIVE

The Tennessee Supreme Court transferred the law license of Ohio lawyer Thomas Robert Wolf to disability inactive status on Nov. 22, 2019. Wolf may not practice law while on inactive status but may petition the court for reinstatement by showing by clear and convincing evidence that the disability has been removed, and he is fit to resume the practice of law.

Kelso Stevens has joined the Nashville office of Stites & Harbison, where he will practice in the Business & Finance Service Group. He previously was a summer associate at the firm. Stevens received his law degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 2019. While in law school, he was involved in the Sports and Entertainment Legal Society, Pro Bono Clinic and Vols for Vets. Prior to law school, he worked as an events specialist for Speedway Motorsports Inc. and Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Ethics Opinion: Guidance for Lawyers Who Change Firms

The American Bar Association Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility released guidance Dec. 4 on the ethical obligations for lawyers when they change firms. Formal Opinion 489 acknowledges that a lawyer has the right to switch firms and notes that ethics rules do not allow non-competition clauses in partnership, member, shareholder or employment agreements.

When a lawyer gives notice, the formal opinion suggests the lawyer and the firm develop a plan that is orderly, flexible and “protects client interests during the lawyer’s transition.”

DISABILITY INACTIVE

The law license of the following lawyers were transferred to disability inactive status: Davidson County lawyer Patrick Brocklin Parks, on Oct. 4; and Hamilton County lawyer William Lloyd Stanley Jr., on Oct. 16. They may not practice law while on inactive status but may petition the court for reinstatement by showing by clear and convincing evidence that the disability has been removed and they are fit to resume the practice of law.

Twelve Tennessee lawyers were sworn in Nov. 4 to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court in a ceremony in Washington, D.C. TBA Past President Jason Pannu was on hand to move the admission of the group, which also included TBA Executive Director Joycelyn Stevenson and TBA President Sarah Sheppeard. The group arrived in D.C. Sunday afternoon for a reception at the historic Hay-Adams Hotel, and following the morning’s ceremony, heard oral arguments in Barton v. Barr and Kansas v. Glover. They later enjoyed a tour of the Capitol conducted by staff from Sen. Marsha Blackburn’s office. The events were part of the TBA Academy, an annual program.

Kathryn “Katie” Reed Edge will retire from the practice of law on Dec. 31, leaving Butler Snow’s Nashville office to assume the role of full-time grandmother to her triplet grandchildren in Austin, Texas. Her practice has centered on representing the organizers of new banks and other regulated financial institutions and serving as corporate and regulatory counsel for financial services companies.

Kathryn “Katie” Reed Edge will retire from the practice of law on Dec. 31, leaving Butler Snow’s Nashville office to assume the role of full-time grandmother to her triplet grandchildren in Austin, Texas. Her practice has centered on representing the organizers of new banks and other regulated financial institutions and serving as corporate and regulatory counsel for financial services companies.