CLIFFORD JOY HARRISON of Nashville died on May 8. He was 92. Before earning his law degree from Nashville School of Law, Harrison served in World War II, where he flew 35 missions in Europe as a part of the Army Air Corps. Harrison continued his military service in the Air Force reserve and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel, and was later a member of the Middle Tennessee WWII Fighter Pilots Association. He began his professional career at Third National Bank in 1950 and retired as Vice Chairman of the Board.

A STRONG SHOWING OF SUPPORT FOR LSC

Lawyers and legal groups across the country are speaking out against the Trump administration’s plan to eliminate funding for the Legal Services Corporation (LSC). These efforts include:

DIRK ALLEN DANIEL of Rutledge died April 27 at his home. He was 41. He graduated from the George C. Taylor College of Law. With his office in Rutledge, Daniel practiced law in Grainger and surrounding counties for the past 17 years. He also held the position of county attorney for Grainger County. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Sunrise Baptist Church Cemetery Fund.

Tennessee Legal Leaders Tackle Access to Justice Issues at Conference

May 9, 2017

INDIGENT REP TASK FORCE URGES PAY INCREASE

The Tennessee Supreme Court’s Indigent Representation Task Force in April recommended seven changes, including one that would increase the rate for paid appointed private counsel to no less than $75 per hour. The recommendations were  based on findings from a statewide listening tour, research and consultation with national organizations regarding standards across the country.

Nashville lawyer MICHAEL ALVA GERACIOTI died on March 16. He was 57. Born in Ohio, Geracioti received his law degree from the Ohio State University College of Law and later moved to Nashville. He practiced with Levine, Orr, and Geracioti, focusing on defending physicians in malpractice suits. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Michael Geracioti Fund at Blair School of Music in Nashville.

Indigent Representation Task Force Recommends Hourly Pay Increase

April 10, 2017

GALA RAISES $50K FOR ACCESS TO JUSTICE WORK

Tennessee lawyers helped raise nearly $50,000 to help legal aid programs in the state at the Corporate Counsel Pro Bono Initiative Gala March 4 in Nashville. Over the past 11 years, the event has raised more than half a million dollars in support of pro bono efforts that engage in-house and corporate counsel.

JAMES HARRISON BOSTICK JR. died Feb. 15. He was 89. He graduated from the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law and had a more than 50-year career in legal practice. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Defending Judicial Independence

Lawyers Rush to Help

When President Donald Trump’s Executive Order barring citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States went into effect on the first weekend of February, it took many by surprise. There were many swift reactions as people began dealing with the new rule, but none as inspiring as when lawyers, realizing the impact and the potential injustices, rushed to airports across the U.S. to help.