The Tennessee Supreme Court disbarred Shelby County lawyer Paul James Springer from the practice of law yesterday and ordered him to pay restitution to a client in the amount of $150,000. The court took the action after determining that Springer misappropriated settlement funds; engaged in the unauthorized practice of law; made material misrepresentations to his client; failed to communicate with or notify clients of his suspension; failed to withdraw as attorney of record; and engaged in criminal conduct as well as conduct involving dishonesty, deceit, misrepresentations and fraud. His actions were determined to violate Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1-4, 1.7, 1.15-16, 4.2, 5.5, 8.1 and 8.4 (a), (b), (c) and (g).

If you missed the 2020 Estate Planning & Probate Forum, the sessions are now available as online videos. Watch any of the five presentations, which cover administration of trusts, will and trust drafting, insights from our annual probate panel, testimonials regarding probate litigation and will contests and legislative updates. Attorneys can also purchase the entire program using the TBA's 1-click feature.

A coalition of criminal justice and prison advocacy organizations filed an emergency petition with the Tennessee Supreme Court this week seeking the release of inmates from jails and prisons as the COVID-19 outbreaks spreads across the state. The filing calls for the release of those in local jails and state prisons who meet certain criteria, the Daily Memphian reports. In related news, Nashville attorney David Raybin asked the state Board of Parole in a letter today to “accelerate the release of already-paroled prisoners” by removing the in-prison rehabilitative program requirement. According to Raybin, roughly 1,000 inmates have been granted parole but are still awaiting release. Knoxnews has more. The request comes a few days after the Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers called on local jails to address the issue. Finally, the president of the American Bar Association today applauded states and localities for looking at measures to address the health and safety of prisoners and called on Congress to release older and infirm prisoners in federal custody.

The state has received a $476,000 federal grant to support the mental health needs of victims of deadly tornadoes that devastated parts of Middle Tennessee earlier this month, WKRN reports. The grant, from FEMA’s Crisis Counseling & Training Program, will support outreach and support services to storm survivors in Davidson, Putnam and Wilson counties. Activities will be coordinated with Centerstone, Mental Health Cooperative and Volunteer Behavioral Health Care System.

The Tennessee Supreme Court issued an order today suspending in-person formal proceedings through April 30 at the Board of Professional Responsibility. The order reiterates that the BPR remains open and will continue to provide services, but will adjust operations to balance the health and safety of staff, hearing members and lawyers. The order also extends through April 30 any deadlines regarding disciplinary proceedings and any time periods and deadlines set forth in Rule 9, Sections 10.4 (bar cards) and 10.5 and 10.6 (non-payment delinquency notices, fees and suspension) as well as Rule 43, Section 15 (IOLTA delinquency notices, fees and suspension). The order allows for emergency matters to proceed but directs that such hearings be limited to certain individuals and that social distancing be observed.

The law license of Williamson County lawyer Margaret L. Akins was transferred to disability inactive status today by the Tennessee Supreme Court. Atkins may not practice law while on inactive status. She may return to the practice of law after reinstatement by showing by clear and convincing evidence that the disability has been removed and she is fit to resume the practice of law.

The Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility recently reported that 33 lawyers previously suspended for failure to pay the annual professional privilege tax have been reinstated. They include one suspended in 2015, one suspended in 2018, three suspended in 2019 and 28 suspended in 2020. See all administrative suspensions and reinstatements here.

The Tennessee Supreme Court today issued an order waiving the in-person requirement for CLE hours for the rest of this year. Lawyers now may earn all or any portion of their required 2020 hours through approved distance learning courses. The move follows the court's declaration of a state of emergency for the Judicial Branch and a previous order that waived in-person CLE requirements for 2019 hours. The court is taking these actions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The TBA has more than 100 online courses available and provides TBA members with three free CLE hours with their membership. Check out distance learning opportunities from the TBA.

The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee has issued an order allowing CJA panel attorneys to submit interim vouchers for compensation. "The disruption to Court operations caused by COVID-19 will also cause a disruption to timely payments to, and place a financial burden on, CJA panel attorneys," the order signed by Chief Judge Pamela Reeves said in part.

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2020 Tennessee Professionalism Award. This award is given to a lawyer or judge whose life and practice display sterling character and unquestioned integrity, coupled with ongoing dedication to the highest standards of the rule of law and the highest standards of the legal profession in Tennessee. The deadline for nominations is May 1.