The Tennessee Supreme Court today referred the case of Greene County attorney Edward Lee Kershaw to the Board of Professional Responsibility for whatever action it deems warranted. The court took the action after Kershaw pled no contest to a first offense of driving under the influence in Greene County Criminal Court.

Davidson County lawyer Andrew Jackson Dancy III was censured by the Tennessee Supreme Court on Sept. 17. The court took that action after it determined that Dancy (1) associated with at least two Pennsylvania attorneys on foreclosure matters although he was not licensed in that state, (2) failed to supervise his non-attorney staff to ensure the Pennsylvania attorney was notified and retained to assist in representation, and (3) failed to deposit client funds into his IOLTA account. His actions violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.15 and 5.3. The court conditioned the censure on Dancy paying restitution to his client in the amount of $2,400 as well as the costs of the disciplinary proceeding.

The National Association of Women Judges (NAWJ) will hold its 43rd Annual Conference Oct 6-9 at the Nashville DoubleTree Hilton Hotel. The event will commemorate Tennessee’s pivotal role in the ratification of the 19th Amendment and honor the women who serve the Tennessee judiciary. The conference will feature educational programming, including highlights of the dramatic conflict that unfolded in Nashville during the summer of 1920. A number of social networking events also are planned. The event is open to the bench and bar.

The Tennessee Justice Center (TJC) is seeking an experienced attorney to provide individual legal services and policy solutions to advocate for access to quality and affordable health care, nutrition and access to justice. This position reports directly to the supervising attorney and interacts regularly with a team of client advocates. Candidates must be licensed or be willing to become licensed in Tennessee, have five to 10 years of litigation and administrative advocacy experience and be able to work independently. Those with experience in public interest law, advocacy and complex trial litigation and knowledge of health care laws are preferred. To apply, send a cover letter and resume via email to jobs@tnjustice.org.

The National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA) has named two new leaders. April Frazier Camara will become president and CEO on Nov. 1. In addition, after two decades of leadership at NLADA, Jo-Ann Wallace will become president, CEO and board chair of NLADA’s business partner, the NLADA Insurance Program (known as Service Corporation). She replaces longtime NLADA and Service Corporation co-founder Clint Lyons, who has retired.

U.S. District Court Judge Katherine “Katie” Crytzer moved to Knoxville this year hardly knowing anyone since her high school days, but is eager to meet members of the legal community, Georgiana Vines writes in Knoxnews. Vines notes that Crytzer is one of the youngest federal judges in the country at age 37. Her husband, Joe Oliveri, handles appellate brief writing for a Virginia law firm but also moved to Knoxville and will travel as necessary. The two have enjoyed getting to know the area, including hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Crytzer was sworn in Dec. 22, 2020, to replace the late Chief Judge Pamela Reeves. Her official investiture will take place Nov. 10 in the courtyard of the Howard H. Baker Jr. U.S. Courthouse in Knoxville. Vines has more on Crytzer’s career and vision for her new role.

With Tennessee set to receive up to 415 refugees from Afghanistan, Gov. Bill Lee is calling for “full transparency” from the Biden administration, Mainstreet Nashville reports. Lee’s office received initial information about resettlement plans last week, including news that refugees will be referred to local resettlement agencies in Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis and Nashville. Lee supports welcoming Afghan refugees but said, “Significant details are still outstanding, and as I’ve said before, the federal government owes Tennesseans full transparency into their plan and vetting process.” House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, has said he does not support accepting Afghan refugees because he does not have confidence in the administration’s vetting process.

The Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands will conduct two clinics this week for those with questions about housing and renters’ rights, bankruptcy, medical bills, debt collection, domestic violence, SNAP benefits and unemployment benefits. Tomorrow, the group will hold a phone clinic at 2 p.m. CDT. The first 15 callers will be accepted. Then on Wednesday, the group will hold a clinic for veterans from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. CDT at Operation Stand Down, 1125 12th Ave. S. Nashville 37203. To volunteer, contact Andrae Crismon or Kendra Cheek or call 615-780-7131. See the list of all September clinics.

A story in yesterday’s issue of TBA Today incorrectly identified the hometown of attorney Thomas Tansil. Though the Board of Professional Responsibility lists his address as Paris, Tennessee, it is now not clear exactly where he lives. He was convicted in Carroll County Circuit Court.

Shelby County lawyer Kevin Glenn Patterson recently received a censure from the Tennessee Supreme Court. The court found that Patterson failed to retain client funds in his IOLTA account after a client did not cash a check for a year and did not respond to various attempts to reach her. More than four years later, the client cashed the check which caused an overdraft in Patterson’s client trust account. Patterson immediately corrected the overdraft, disclosed the overdraft and cooperated with the Board of Professional Responsibility. He agreed to a conditional guilty plea that his actions violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.15.