The Tennessee Supreme Court today disbarred Shelby County lawyer Paul James Springer and ordered him to pay restitution to three clients in the amount of $59,250. The court took the action based on three petitions for discipline that contained five complaints against him. The court found that Springer misappropriated settlement funds belonging to a client; engaged in criminal conduct as well as conduct involving dishonesty, deceit, misrepresentations and fraud; made material misrepresentations to clients; failed to reasonably communicate with clients; engaged in the unauthorized practice of law; failed to notify clients of his suspension; and failed to withdraw as attorney of record. His actions violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.7, 1.15-16, 4.2, 5.5, 8.1 and 8.4 (a), (b), (c), and (g).

An in-person plea hearing will be held on May 27 at 2:30 p.m. for Danny Weld-Ebanks, who was indicted in September 2019 for vehicular manslaughter by recklessness for a crash that killed Matthew Kenigson, the spouse of Nashville General Sessions Judge Lynda Jones. The hearing will take place at the Montgomery County Court Center and will be presided over by Rutherford County Circuit Court Judge Barry Tidwell. The case was moved by agreement of the parties because of COVID-19 travel restrictions set by Fort Campbell, where Weld-Ebanks is stationed. Access to the courthouse will be limited pursuant to the judicial emergency order, but the Supreme Court is offering two options to media interested in covering the proceeding: a video recording available one hour after the hearing or one pool camera that would record from the courtroom. Media outlets should express their preference to Barbara Peck, 615-440-2555. A final decision about access will be made by noon on May 26.

Apperson Crump PLC, the oldest continuously operating law firm in Memphis, is seeking an associate attorney with two to five years experience in general litigation. Medical malpractice experience is a plus. The successful candidate will have excellent people skills and a proven ability to work in a deadline-driven environment. The firms says it offers a professionally challenging workplace, competitive compensation package and pleasant working environment. Please send resume, references and salary requirements to tbutler@appersoncrump.com.

The results of a survey conducted by Major, Lindsey & Africa and Above the Law in April to gauge the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on law firms are now available. The report, “The Unprecedented Challenge of COVID-19: Findings from the 2020 Major, Lindsey & Africa and Above the Law Law Firm Associate Survey,” offers a detailed picture of how law firms and individual associates are coping with the ongoing disruption and the prospect of lasting change. Topics covered include communication transparency, technological resources, firm culture and long-term effects on the profession. Download a copy of the report.

Tennessee Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III has joined 38 attorneys general in urging Congress to help ensure all Americans have the home internet access they need to participate in telemedicine, teleschooling and telework. The group lauded independent efforts of various companies to increase access by waiving late fees or even providing free or discounted access to students and medical providers, but said such efforts are not sustainable. They instead argue for a national solution as part of any additional legislation that provides relief and resources related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the letter.

The Tennessee Bar Association will be closed Monday for the Memorial Day holiday. We will reopen at 8 a.m. CDT on Tuesday, though staff will continue to work remotely because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Access email addresses and direct lines for staff here.

The 26th annual "Ode to Otha" event, hosted by Neal & Harwell's Bill Ramsey, will be held virtually on May 30 from 2 to 9 p.m. The event celebrates the birthday of legendary musician Otha Turner while also raising money for Second Harvest Food Bank. The celebration is normally held in Nashville each year, but due to concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, the block party has gone virtual. See the lineup of musicians and get information on accessing the live stream. Donations to Second Harvest Food Bank can be made here.

Sen. Lamar Alexander told reporters today that university presidents across the state have concerns about facing legal actions for reopening in the fall, WPLN reports. The Republican senator, who serves as chairman of the U.S. Senate’s Education Committee, said that members of his party would push for liability protections for universities if a new COVID-19 relief bill is passed.  Alexander said a failure to do this could make what has been an already “difficult financial year” even more difficult. He also said more testing will be available for universities and businesses before the beginning of the fall semester.

Attorney General Herbert Slatery has filed a request asking the Tennessee Supreme Court to intervene in the lawsuit against Gov. Bill Lee’s education savings account program, the Daily Memphian reports. The State Court of Appeals on Tuesday denied a request to allow the state to implement the voucher program while the court decided on its constitutionality. Lee said in a press conference today that Slatery’s motion seeks to lift an injunction from Davidson County Chancery Court so that the state can move forward in time for the school year in August. The Court of Appeals is not scheduled to hear oral arguments until Aug. 5, the day after school starts in Metro Nashville and just one week before class opens in Shelby County Schools.

A ruling from the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals earlier this month will allow three lawsuits stemming from the 2018 “Operation Candy Crush” sting in Rutherford County to continue moving forward, the Daily News Journal reports. Seventeen business owners were arrested in the sting that targeted stores for illegally selling CBD-based products, but all charges were later dropped. The lawsuits claim the defendants, Rutherford County Sheriff Mike Fitzhugh, Assistant District Attorney John Zimmerman and District Attorney General Jennings Jones, were motivated by conspiracy to violate the plaintiffs’ rights. District Court Judge Aleta Trauger denied the defendants’ motion to dismiss in March 2019, prompting the appeal to the higher court. The 6th Circuit found that none of the defendants can claim immunity, with Circuit Judge Julia Smith Gibbons writing in the court’s opinion that Jones and Zimmerman were “objectively unreasonable in pushing the operation forward without probable cause.”