Williamson County lawyer Jason Scott Mangrum was publicly censured Friday by the Tennessee Supreme Court. The court found that Mangrum failed to obtain consent from his clients for the voluntary dismissal of their lawsuit. Following dismissal of the suit, Mangrum also made misrepresentations to his clients, falsely claiming that depositions were in the process of being scheduled. He also delayed in taking proper action for his clients throughout the representation. The court found his actions violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.2(a), 1.3, 1.4 and 8.4(c).

The Tennessee Supreme Court says it will not intervene early in a dispute between Nashville and the Davidson County Election Commission over a property tax referendum, WPLN reports. In an order issued late Friday, the court said it sees no need to speed up the case and will instead let it work its way through the normal appeals process. The referendum’s backers had wanted the court to take up the case early so a vote could take place in September.

A news item in Friday's issue of TBA Today had the incorrect location for the Knoxville veterans’ legal advice clinic on Wednesday. The event will be held at the Knox County Public Defender’s Community Law Office, 1101 Liberty St., from noon to 2 p.m. EDT. Those seeking advice should pre-register at 865-637-0484. Lawyers who would like to volunteer can sign up online. To learn more, download a flyer or sign up for an "Understanding VA Benefits" webinar tomorrow at 10 a.m. EDT.

The TBA's Summer Business Education Webinar Series continues Thursday with a one-hour session on Email Management. The virtual program will run from noon to 1 p.m. CDT and offer one hour of dual CLE credit. The series, designed to help attorneys work smarter not harder, will continue on July 22 with Task Management and on July 29 with Using Core Financial & Productivity Reports.

Third Planet Sci-Fi Superstore, a comic book store in Houston, filed a lawsuit against the nearby Crowne Plaza River Oaks, claiming that the hotel’s guests keep throwing objects such as fire extinguishers and dishes from balconies onto the store’s roof, necessitating costly repairs. But it’s the pleading that is getting attention. The Houston Chronicle first reported that local designers created a 24-page comic to be included in the filing. The full-color comic shows the store staff fending off an onslaught of ceramic plates, lit cigarette butts and no fewer than 14 fire extinguishers tossed onto the store’s roof. Another panel depicts store employees using buckets to collect water as rain leaks through the damaged roof. It’s unconventional but not illegal, Texas Monthly reports.

Tennessee Circuit Court Judge Amy V. Hollars was recently installed as the 40th chair of the Tennessee Bar Foundation. She will serve until June 2022. Hollars practiced law in Knoxville for seven years and in Livingston for six years before being appointed in 2008 to the 13th Judicial District, which serves Cumberland, Clay, Dekalb, Putnam, Overton, Pickett and White counties. She is past president of the Tennessee Lawyers Association for Women, former board member of the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee & the Cumberlands, and former treasurer of the Tennessee Judicial Conference. The foundation honors attorneys who distinguish themselves in the profession and administers a grant-making program that supports law-related public projects. Read more in a release from the organization.

Mississippi lawyer Phillip Gregory Meek, who is also licensed in Tennessee, was disbarred by the Supreme Court of Mississippi on May 17. The Tennessee Supreme Court issued an order on Wednesday asking Meek to provide any information as to why disbarment should not also be imposed in Tennessee. He has 30 days to respond or the court says it will impose reciprocal discipline.

Attorney Jake Preston Evans was suspended from the practice of law in Tennessee today. The Tennessee Supreme Court suspended him for 16 months, retroactive to March 9, 2020. Evans agreed to a conditional guilty plea acknowledging his conduct violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3, 1.4 and 8.1. The court also directed Evans to make restitution to two clients, and contact the Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program for an evaluation and, if recommended, to enter into a monitoring agreement with the program. According to the BPR website, Evans practices in Charlotte, NC.

Campbell County lawyer Kristie Nicole Anderson was suspended from the practice of law today for one year, with 30 days to be served on active suspension and the remainder on probation. The Tennessee Supreme Court also ordered Anderson to engage the services of a practice monitor. The court reports that it received complaints from five clients regarding Anderson’s failure to file appropriate pleadings, submit timely orders, respond to discovery and reasonably communicate about the status of representation. Anderson agreed to a conditional guilty plea acknowledging her conduct violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 3.2, 3.4 and 8.4 (a).

A federal judge today blocked a new state law that requires businesses and other entities that offer trans-inclusive restrooms to post warning signs, the Tennessean reports. U.S. District Court Judge Aleta A. Trauger issued a temporary injunction against enforcing the law saying that whenever the government “prevents individuals from saying what they think on important matters or compels them to voice ideas with which they disagree” it undermines our democracy. The American Civil Liberties Union and its Tennessee chapter filed the suit on behalf of two business owners: Kye Sayers, owner of the Sanctuary, a performing arts and community center in Chattanooga, and restaurant owner Bob Bernstein, owner of Fido in Nashville. The new law, they argue, is "unconstitutional" and violates businesses' First Amendment right "against compelled speech." The ACLU has a copy of Trauger’s opinion and order. In related news, NBC reports that the law has drawn criticism from national advocacy groups.