COURT ADOPTS 2017 RULES PACKAGE

The Tennessee Supreme Court on Dec. 21, 2016, published the 2017 amendments to its rules of procedure and evidence.

Proposals include:

Dickson Lawyer CLYDE DOUGLAS CLUCK died Jan. 2 at the age of 80. Before graduating from the YMCA Night Law School in 1971, Cluck completed stints in the U.S. Army, as a juvenile probation officer and as director of education for the state Division of Youth Services and Department of Corrections. He later was named assistant commissioner of Youth Services and then director of parole, a position he held until his retirement. Following retirement, he worked as a part-time assistant district attorney in the 23rd Judicial District for 13 years.

Court Adopts 2017 Rules Package

December 21, 2016

The American Bar Association (ABA) is in the midst of rolling out ABAFreeLegalAnswers.org, the nation’s first interactive pro bono site that will help low income citizens obtain free legal advice. The purpose of the website is to increase access to advice and information about non-criminal legal matters to those who cannot afford it. There is no fee for the use of the system or for the advice and information provided by the lawyer.

The Tennessee Supreme Court is sponsoring a public service day on Saturday, April 1. The concept is to have a day of public service to advance access to justice (ATJ). The ATJ Commission is planning and carrying out the project, with the goal of having as many events as possible taking place across the state on or near that date.

The ABA’s Standing Committee on Pro Bono & Public Service has extensive experience conducting nationwide empirical research on attorneys about their pro bono experience and attitudes. The committee is sharing its survey model, offering its pro bono survey instrument free of charge, and Tennessee is one of the states that will be participating in this opportunity for statewide empirical research.

The Tennessee Bar Association is pleased to have this opportunity to join the pro bono programs in honoring those lawyers and law students who participated in pro bono activities during the past year. More than any other profession, lawyers give of their time and talents to serve those who need their services.

Attorneys stepped up to help in response to the wildfires and the subsequent destruction in Gatlinburg and Sevier County in November. The Tennessee Bar Association (TBA) partnered with the Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services (TALS), Legal Aid of East Tennessee (LAET) and the Supreme Court’s Access to Justice Commission to help those affected with their legal needs.

Nashville lawyer DAVIS H. CARR died Dec. 11. He was 76. The former Bradley Arant Boult Cummings partner and managing partner of its predecessor firm, Carr is being remembered as an astute business lawyer and mentor to countless young lawyers. His practice included business law, mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance and venture capital, and e-commerce and technology law. He earned his law degree from Vanderbilt University Law School in 1970.

TBA Activates Disaster Legal Assistance for Wildfires

November 30, 2016