TBA Director of Public Policy & Government Affairs Berkley Schwarz and Adams and Reese attorney and TBA lobbyist tackle this week’s news from the General Assembly on the latest episode of the TBA’s Legislative Updates. New this week: a hopeful meeting with Lt. Gov. Randy McNally regarding elimination of the Professional Privilege Tax. Legislative Updates airs every Thursday on the TBA’s Facebook page. It is also released as a podcast on the same day and can be found on the TBA’s website or wherever you listen to podcasts.  

The Tennessee Supreme Court yesterday dismissed a reinstatement petition from Texas lawyer Daniel S. Edmunds Jr. Edmunds filed the petition on Oct. 4, 2021. The Tennessee Commission on Continuing Legal Education opposed the petition based on Edmunds’s failure to pay certain fees and penalties and comply with CLE requirements in 2019, 2020 and 2021. The Board of Professional Responsibility also opposed to the petition based on his failure to pay the required reinstatement fee. Due to these outstanding issues, the court dismissed the petition.

The Tennessee Supreme Court recently rejected a conditional guilty plea and disciplinary action proposed by the Board of Professional Responsibility against Williamson County lawyer Melissa Ann Baker. A petition for discipline was filed against Baker on May 22, 2020. She agreed to a conditional guilty plea on Nov. 18, 2021. After reviewing the entire record in the matter, the court said it had concerns “that the recommended punishment, particularly the period of active suspension, is too lenient.” The court therefore rejected the plea and referred the matter back to the board for further proceedings.

The Tennessee Supreme Court issued several orders yesterday transferring the law licenses of four lawyers to disability inactive status. They are Williamson County lawyer Jay Nelson Chamness, Hardeman County lawyer Karen Tucker Fleet, Wilson County lawyer Ruth Raber Murphy and Madison County lawyer Charles Michael Purcell. They may not practice law while on inactive status but may petition the court for reinstatement upon showing that their disability has been removed.

May 4 started as a typical day for Davidson County Criminal Court Judge Cheryl Blackburn, the Administrative Office of the Courts reports. But things took a significant turn when she suddenly was unable to use her arm and was slurring her speech. Her colleague, Judge Angelita Blackshear Dalton, suspected Blackburn was having a stroke and immediately called emergency responders. The quick action paid off. Blackburn underwent surgery to remove a blood clot from her brain. She was back in the office within a week. Blackburn was so touched by the swift action of everyone involved that she asked the Metropolitan County Council to adopt a resolution underscoring the importance of knowing the signs of stroke and acknowledging the lifesaving actions of Dalton and the paramedics and firefighters who attended to her.

Nashville law firm Bass, Berry & Sims is launching a new practice group focused on investment funds, the Nashville Post reports. The group will include attorneys who have already been at the firm, including those working on the private equity team, as well as new firm member Bryan Bylica and counsel Nova Harb, both recently with McGuireWoods. The group will handle issues associated with private equity, private credit, growth equity, venture capital, endowments, pension funds, Small Business Investment Company funds and Rural Business Investment Company funds.

Fayetteville lawyer R. Whitney Stevens Jr. died Feb. 9 at the age of 74. A 1975 graduate of the Cumberland Law School, Stevens began his law practice in Fayetteville with his father. At the time of his death, he was affiliated with the law firm of Stevens, Bagley & Stevens. Stevens served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam conflict and was awarded the Bronze Star for his service. A memorial service was held last Saturday. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Fayetteville First United Methodist Church, 200 Elk Ave. N., Fayetteville, TN 37334; or a Veteran's organization of the donor’s choice.

The slate of judicial candidates in Weakley and Henry counties are now known. In Weakley County, a contested race for district attorney general includes Republican candidates Adam P. Nelson and Robert R. Young and independent Colin Johnson. The race for circuit court clerk will include independent Jennifer Kay Killibrew and Republican Courtney McMinn. In Henry County, the race for circuit court judge Part 2 will see three running in the Republican primary: Bruce I. Griffey, Terry J. Leonard and Dennis Vance. Two Republicans, Matt Stowe and Jeffrey Neil Thompson, will face off for 24th Judicial District Attorney General. The McKenzie Banner has the full slate of candidates in both counties.

Tennessee Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III is one of five attorneys general leading a bipartisan coalition of state attorneys general calling on the Federal Trade Commission to adopt a national rule targeting impersonation scams. In a letter to the agency, the group expresses concern about the number and extent of impersonation scams. They argue that a national rule is needed to stop fraudulent acts and protect Americans, and provide recommendations for what elements the rule should include. Read more in a press release from Slatery’s office.

Tennessee lawmakers and their staffers came together with members of the Tennessee Bar Association during the annual Big Shrimp legislative reception on Tuesday in Nashville. The event, held at the City Club, gave attorneys the opportunity to meet with senators and representatives in a relaxed atmosphere. The event was last held in February 2020.