The 23rd District Recovery Court has been meeting online during the pandemic, but last Thursday participants returned "home" to the Dickson County Courthouse for a “near-normal” docket, according to Director Kevin Batts. Circuit and Drug Court Judge Suzanne Lockert-Mash told participants "Although we've continued to operate well during this pandemic, nothing compares to seeing each of you in person every week." The first in-person meeting comes after months of meeting online and at individual Sober Living Residences. Participants and court staff practiced social distancing and wore face masks, Batts told TBA.

A new study conducted by the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division reveals substantial and widespread levels of student debt and its effects on the newest members of the U.S. legal profession. Released today, the 2020 Law School Student Debt Survey Report shows that more than 75% of the young lawyers who responded have at least $100,000 in student loans, more than half have more than $150,000 in loans, and more than one in four have $200,000 or more in debt. The study also shows the deep impact this debt has on the personal lives, decisions about family and career, and mental health of young lawyers, and the disproportionate toll on lawyers of color. Among the steps recommended to address these issues, the report calls for efforts to ease the student loan burden, including considering alternative loan servicing models.

Memphis lawyer Keisha Moses Richardson received a public censure from the Tennessee Supreme Court on Oct. 23 after she was convicted of violating of an order of protection. The jury conviction was also affirmed on appeal. In addition, the court found that she failed to respond to a disciplinary complaint. The court determined that Richardson’s conduct violated Rules of Professional Conduct 8.1(b) and 8.4(a)(b)(d)(g) and reflected adversely upon her fitness as a lawyer.

The Tennessee Supreme Court imposed a censure on Mississippi lawyer Candace Lenette Williamson on Oct. 23. The court found that Williamson was paid to represent a client but did not take any substantive action on behalf of the client. She also was found to have deceived the client into believing she filed petitions in both Mississippi and Tennessee though no petitions were filed. Finally, the court found that she failed to respond to the disciplinary complaint against her. Her actions were determined to violate Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.16, 8.1(b) and 8.4(a)(c)(d).

The Tennessee Supreme Court imposed a censure on Jackson lawyer James Randall Krenis on Oct. 23. The court found that Krenis was paid a portion of a non-refundable fee to assist a client but failed to provide legal services until the full fee was paid. He also charged other unreasonable fees, and changed the scope of his representation and increased his fees without obtaining his client’s written consent or giving his client the opportunity to meet with independent counsel. Finally, the court found that Krenis failed to file any pleadings or make any court appearances on behalf of his client and failed to adequately communicate with his client about the status of the representation. These actions violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.8(a) and 8.4(a)(d).

The Tennessee Supreme Court imposed a censure on Knoxville lawyer Michael Edward Casas — who is licensed to practice law in the states of Florida and New York — on Oct. 23. The court found that Casas accepted a corporate counsel position in Tennessee without timely registering with the Board of Law Examiners and the Board of Professional Responsibility. In fact, he waited eight months before he completed the registration requirements. His actions violated Rule of Professional Conduct 5.5(a).

On Oct. 23, Memphis lawyer Shannon David Elsea received a public censure from the Tennessee Supreme Court after the court found that he failed to diligently represent and adequately communicate with two clients. With regard to the first case, the court found that Elsea provided deceptive information to the client as well as to the Board of Professional Responsibility. With regard to the second case, the court found that Elsea deceived his client into believing a settlement had occurred and deceived the court clerk and opposing counsel as to the true status of the case. In mitigation, Elsea acknowledged that he was experiencing personal issues that caused him undue stress and anxiety, which he is addressing. His actions violated Rule of Professional Conduct 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 3.2, 4.1, 8.1(b) and 8.4(a)(c)(d).

The TBA’s Young Lawyers Division will continue its virtual law school visits this week, with calls scheduled with 3L and 4L students at the Nashville School of Law tomorrow and 3L students at Vanderbilt University Law School on Wednesday. This year's program will focus on the “Road to Success” with YLD members sharing their experiences on how they chose their practice area, bar exam study tips and habits, how to network, mental health wellness and more. For more information, contact YLD Coordinator Stephanie Vonhamme.

Join Mac Bailey, founding member of The Bailey Law Firm and Darlene Kemp and Theresa Law of Vista Points Special Needs Trusts & Resource Center as they walk you through the complex world of special needs trusts during the ABCs of SNTS program. Topics will include drafting tips, ethical considerations, types and specific purposes of special needs trusts and more. The program will take place virtually this Thursday from 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. CDT and is worth 2.5 general CLE credits. Immediately following the program, there will be a live 30-minute Q&A time with all speakers.

In 2019, Collierville named the town’s courtroom after the late municipal judge William Craig Hall. The judge’s widow is now seeking to have the courthouse named for him as well, the Daily Memphian reports. In an email to city officials, she argued that, “The courtroom is not an acceptable option for a man who devoted literally half his life to Collierville Court.” But alderman are not convinced. The building is currently labeled “Town Courthouse.” One alderman said those were the words Hall himself wanted on the building. Another alderman said he feared renaming the courthouse would lose the city’s small-town feel. Hall, Collierville’s first elected judge, died in December 2018 at 71.