The Tennessee Supreme Court today ordered the law license of Robert Hamm Moyer be transferred to disability inactive status pursuant to Section 27.4 of Rule 9. Moyer cannot practice while on disability inactive status. He may petition the high court to remove his disability and reinstate him to the practice of law.

The Tennessee Supreme Court has issued a statewide order suspending all in-person proceedings in municipal, juvenile, general sessions, trial, and appellate courts beginning Dec. 28 through Jan. 31, and all jury trials through Feb. 26. According to the order, the decision was made due to the “recent record number of COVID-19 cases and related hospitalizations” and applies to all courts and court clerks’ offices except administrative courts within the Executive Branch, and federal courts and federal court clerks’ offices across the state. The suspension of trials is subject only to exceptions which may be granted by Chief Justice Jeffrey S. Bivins on a case-by-case basis. Read more from the Tennessean.

Fulfill your CLE requirements in one click with the Legal Essentials CLE Package. Part of the TBA’s Year End CLE Blast, this package offers a variety of programming worth a total of eight CLE hours. Topics include legal ethics and technology scams, legislative updates, Clio’s guide to working from home and much more. Check out our full list of CLE packages and choose by hours needed or by topic.

Just in time for the long weekend, TBJ Select offers some movie-watching ideas in an article by Memphis lawyer Steve Barton, "The 5 Greatest Legal/Courtroom Dramas of All Time." In this fresh content, you may find a new favorite movie — or maybe you have your own Best List (send that in!), but enjoy the synopses of these classics. Check out the recent issue, which includes info on TBA's Year-End CLE Blast and a sneak peak at what's in the upcoming January/February print edition of the Tennessee Bar Journal.

Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel has added an audit counsel practice area that assists clients with strategy and preparation for future audits relating to the coronavirus aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, Paycheck Protection Program loans, Department of Health and Human Services provider relief funds and other legislative developments and financial opportunities that have arisen from the COVID-19 pandemic. Shareholder Cathy Dorvil will lead the practice area, which includes COVID-19 Task Force Co-Chairs Jim Catanzaro and Justin Furrow, the Hamilton County Herald reports. In announcing the move, Chambliss says it expects the U.S. Small Business Administration and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to conduct future audits. The audit counsel team will provide support for compliance and government investigations, regulatory and administrative proceedings and more.

Nashville civil rights leader and former Metro councilmember Kwame Lillard died yesterday at 81. After growing up in segregated North Nashville, Lillard became active in the civil rights movements in the 1960s. He was a key organizer for the city’s sit-ins and leader of a protest to integrate city-run swimming pools. He also coordinated, trained and provided logistical support to hundreds of participants in the Freedom Rides. As a council member and an engaged resident, Lillard continued throughout his life to advocate for equity. Nashville Public Radio notes that Lillard is the fourth member of Nashville’s student-led civil-rights movement to die this year. He joins Alan Cason Jr., John Lewis and the Rev. C.T. Vivian.

George Harrison Cate Jr., the first vice mayor of Metro Nashville and longtime community leader died Friday at 92. The Tennessean looks at his life, which included significant roles in city government, educational systems and civic life for 50 years. A 1951 graduate of the Vanderbilt University Law School, Cate began his legal career as a partner with his father. In the 1960s, he was instrumental in the creation of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County. In 1962, he was elected the first vice mayor of Metro Nashville and served from 1963 to 1966. He also served on the Metro Nashville Board of Education, including as chair in 1981 and 1982. After leaving public service, Cate remained dedicated to promoting and preserving the history of Nashville government, serving on the Metropolitan Historical Commission and a committee that planned the 50th anniversary of Metro. Cate retired in 2014. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to West End United Methodist Church, Vanderbilt University, Alive Hospice or the charity of one's choice.

Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands has received a $125,000 grant from the Legal Services Corporation to assist victims affected by the March 2020 tornadoes in Middle Tennessee. The LSC Disaster Relief Emergency Grant will provide funding for direct legal services, educational outreach and free legal clinics to low-income disaster victims in Davidson, Putnam and Wilson counties. LAS will be eligible for a second grant of an equal amount next year. The group also announced it will hold virtual legal clinic for disaster victims in each of three counties in the spring of 2021. To help meet the goals of the grant, Legal Aid has hired Bridget Stewart as a full-time disaster relief attorney.

In a recent opinion, the Tennessee Court of Appeals upheld the ruling of Davidson County Chancellor Anne Martin, which overturned approval for a Nashville subdivision and reiterated the role of a community-based general plans in the development process. In a unanimous decision, the court said the Planning Commission should consider whether proposed subdivisions comply with local land-use policies. The suit was brought by a Whites Creek family whose 19th-century family farm is surrounded by land that was slated to be turned into tract housing, Tennessee Tribune reports.

"Broken," a special WTVF report that airs next week, takes an in-depth look at the juvenile justice system in Nashville. The show is the result of an 18-month effort by chief investigative reporter Phil Williams and photojournalist Bryan Staples. The pair said they hope those who watch will not see good or bad kids but will see children who have been failed by the system. Their research findings indicate that (1) at least two thirds of children charged with murder had prior criminal histories; (2) state law prevents officials from detaining juveniles in many of the situations where detention is needed the most; (3) charges for handgun possession and auto theft are exploding; and (5) deep-seated societal problems beyond the control of police are at the root of many of these issues. The one-hour special airs Dec. 29 at 9 p.m. on WTVF-TV in the greater Nashville area.