Third Planet Sci-Fi Superstore, a comic book store in Houston, filed a lawsuit against the nearby Crowne Plaza River Oaks, claiming that the hotel’s guests keep throwing objects such as fire extinguishers and dishes from balconies onto the store’s roof, necessitating costly repairs. But it’s the pleading that is getting attention. The Houston Chronicle first reported that local designers created a 24-page comic to be included in the filing. The full-color comic shows the store staff fending off an onslaught of ceramic plates, lit cigarette butts and no fewer than 14 fire extinguishers tossed onto the store’s roof. Another panel depicts store employees using buckets to collect water as rain leaks through the damaged roof. It’s unconventional but not illegal, Texas Monthly reports.

Tennessee Circuit Court Judge Amy V. Hollars was recently installed as the 40th chair of the Tennessee Bar Foundation. She will serve until June 2022. Hollars practiced law in Knoxville for seven years and in Livingston for six years before being appointed in 2008 to the 13th Judicial District, which serves Cumberland, Clay, Dekalb, Putnam, Overton, Pickett and White counties. She is past president of the Tennessee Lawyers Association for Women, former board member of the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee & the Cumberlands, and former treasurer of the Tennessee Judicial Conference. The foundation honors attorneys who distinguish themselves in the profession and administers a grant-making program that supports law-related public projects. Read more in a release from the organization.

Mississippi lawyer Phillip Gregory Meek, who is also licensed in Tennessee, was disbarred by the Supreme Court of Mississippi on May 17. The Tennessee Supreme Court issued an order on Wednesday asking Meek to provide any information as to why disbarment should not also be imposed in Tennessee. He has 30 days to respond or the court says it will impose reciprocal discipline.

Attorney Jake Preston Evans was suspended from the practice of law in Tennessee today. The Tennessee Supreme Court suspended him for 16 months, retroactive to March 9, 2020. Evans agreed to a conditional guilty plea acknowledging his conduct violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3, 1.4 and 8.1. The court also directed Evans to make restitution to two clients, and contact the Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program for an evaluation and, if recommended, to enter into a monitoring agreement with the program. According to the BPR website, Evans practices in Charlotte, NC.

Campbell County lawyer Kristie Nicole Anderson was suspended from the practice of law today for one year, with 30 days to be served on active suspension and the remainder on probation. The Tennessee Supreme Court also ordered Anderson to engage the services of a practice monitor. The court reports that it received complaints from five clients regarding Anderson’s failure to file appropriate pleadings, submit timely orders, respond to discovery and reasonably communicate about the status of representation. Anderson agreed to a conditional guilty plea acknowledging her conduct violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 3.2, 3.4 and 8.4 (a).

A federal judge today blocked a new state law that requires businesses and other entities that offer trans-inclusive restrooms to post warning signs, the Tennessean reports. U.S. District Court Judge Aleta A. Trauger issued a temporary injunction against enforcing the law saying that whenever the government “prevents individuals from saying what they think on important matters or compels them to voice ideas with which they disagree” it undermines our democracy. The American Civil Liberties Union and its Tennessee chapter filed the suit on behalf of two business owners: Kye Sayers, owner of the Sanctuary, a performing arts and community center in Chattanooga, and restaurant owner Bob Bernstein, owner of Fido in Nashville. The new law, they argue, is "unconstitutional" and violates businesses' First Amendment right "against compelled speech." The ACLU has a copy of Trauger’s opinion and order. In related news, NBC reports that the law has drawn criticism from national advocacy groups.

The Southern Legislative Conference is holding its annual meeting in Nashville this weekend, the Tennessee Journal reports. The group is chaired this year by Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville. Approximately 1,500 state legislators, legislative staff and government officials kicked off the 75th Annual Meeting of the group today. The event provides state officials the opportunity to engage with experts on policy issues and collaborate on state government solutions. Among the speakers are former Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, Rick Barnes, head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers, and chef Maneet Chauhan.

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled today that the mandatory state bar in Texas violates lawyers’ First Amendment rights because of its political and ideological activities, the ABA Journal reports. Three Texas lawyers filed the challenge, arguing that their constitutional rights were violated because most of the bar’s legislative lobbying was not relevant to regulation of the legal profession or improving the quality of legal services. The court agreed and offered the bar two options: cease engaging in nongermane activities or transfer the licensing and disciplinary functions of the bar to the state and operate as a voluntary bar association. The bar had a mechanism in place to challenge expenditures but the court found it be “constitutionally inadequate.” In a separate action, the court also reinstated a lawsuit challenging the mandatory bar in Louisiana.

The Tennessee Court of Appeals recently upheld a $256,324 judgment against Johnson City stemming from a vehicle accident in April 2017, the Johnson City Press reports. City Attorney Erick Herrin said the city is evaluating whether to appeal. The case centers on a local resident who underwent surgery for injuries after a city employee struck her vehicle with a tractor. She subsequently filed a lawsuit against the city seeking $300,000 in damages. The trial court awarded her $256,324, which included $10,000 for pain and suffering. The appeals court upheld the award, rejecting the city’s “impressive methodology” for calculating lower medical costs.

Nashville leaders gathered yesterday to unveil a historical marker in the Church Street Park honoring Nashville’s history in the women’s suffrage movement, Main Street Nashville reports. The “Campaign for the Vote” marker recognizes the formation of the Nashville Equal Suffrage League in 1911 and the major events that followed, including the 1914 convention of the National American Woman Suffrage Association at the nearby Hermitage Hotel and the 1915 suffrage automobile parade.