Clarksville attorney Brian Lee Hill died Dec. 23, 2024, at age 52. Hill was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and earned his law degree from the Appalachian School of Law. He represented clients in bankruptcy cases. A memorial service was held Jan. 10 at Allen Funeral Home in Hurricane, West Virginia. Online condolences may be made here.

The trial of former Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada and his chief of staff, Cade Cothren, will begin tomorrow. The government alleges 20 counts of money laundering, bribery, wire fraud and theft related to the operations of a mailer company, Phoenix Solutions. The trial likely will feature a long list of Republican lawmakers and operatives called to testify, including Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, House Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland, Rep. Todd Warner, R-Chapel Hill, and more, the Nashville Banner reports.

A man charged with murder at age 17 — and whose charges were later dismissed — is suing the Memphis Police Department for $5 million. Ladarrius Perry alleges he was arrested and prosecuted without probable cause, which led to 2 1/2 years in the Shelby County Jail, according to The Daily Memphian. Perry was charged in 2021 with the 2020 shooting death of a 41-year-old woman in Southwest Memphis. The lawsuit claims police officers, who are named as defendants, used illegal tactics and threats during his interrogation — including telling Perry they would charge his 13-year-old cousin with the murder — which led to his confession. The charges were dismissed Dec. 13, 2023, for lack of probable cause. But the dismissal didn’t come without “cost, scars, and a lifetime of adjustments,” the suit alleges.

The 2025 Dispute Resolution Forum will take place virtually on May 14 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CDT. The program will feature carefully crafted sessions tailored to both lawyers and mediators presented by speakers from the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) vocation. The forum will begin with a panel discussion of ADR in the federal space, move on to a session covering mass arbitrations and will end with an ethics course. Reserve your spot today!

On April 9, the Tennessee Supreme Court rejected a motion from Davidson County lawyer Michael Lloyd Freeman to appeal a Board of Professional Responsibility decision to revoke his probation. On June 21, 2021, the Supreme Court suspended Freeman for three years, with 90 days to be served on active suspension and the remainder on probation. During the active suspension, complaints were lodged again him. After a hearing, the Board of Professional Responsibility determined that probation should be revoked, and Freeman be required to serve the remainder of the time on active suspension. It informed Freeman that he had 60 days to appeal the decision to the circuit or chancery court. The Supreme Court found that information to be incorrect. Under the rules, a hearing panel’s order on a petition to revoke probation is to be treated as a decree of the trial court. Thus, any appeal is to be made to the Supreme Court within 30 days. Freeman appealed 37 days after the hearing panel’s decision. The trial court, recognizing that it lacked jurisdiction, transferred the appeal to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court dismissed the appeal for timeliness but noted that Freeman could file a motion requesting entry of a corrected judgment, which, if granted, would begin a new 30-day time frame for appealing.

Tennessee lawyers will gather in June for the 2025 TBA Annual Convention, which will offer compelling CLE programming, networking opportunities and social events. This year's CLE lineup will bring together an esteemed group of speakers to cover timely legal issues. The annual Bench Bar CLE program on Thursday will explore Tennessee lawyers who have made history in the state. Later that day, TBA President Ed Lanquist Jr. will join with others to present on the topic “AI in the Life of a Lawyer,” while TBA’s government relations team will provide an update on the recent legislative session and a new indigent representation plan. Thursday’s programming will wrap up with a joint program with the Tennessee Alliance of Black Lawyers (TABL) on “Addressing Inequality for a Healthier Legal System.” On Friday, the TBA will present an attorney wellness session and a vendor panel on the future of legal tech, while the Young Lawyers Division will present a panel on the state of DEI. Don’t miss this opportunity to earn up to eight hours of CLE credit while connecting with colleagues from across the state. Still need to register for the Convention? Get started here.

Registration is now open for the next free advice clinic for Black-owned small businesses and nonprofits, set for May 15 in Nashville. The clinic, sponsored by the Arts & Business Council's Volunteer Lawyers & Professionals for the Arts and Bradley, provides assistance with business formation and corporate governance, review of contracts and guidance in navigating local ordinances and state regulations. Register by May 12 to participate. Attorneys should email vlpa@abcnashville.org to volunteer.

The Tennessee Board of Law Examiners has released statistics about the state's February 2025 bar exam. According to the board, 244 individuals — 102 first time test takers and 142 repeaters — took the exam. They represent 60 different law schools and saw an overall pass rate of 44%. First-time test takers saw a pass rate of 58%. For first time test-takers at Tennessee law schools, Belmont University College of Law and Vanderbilt University Law School saw a 100% pass rate, followed by the University of Tennessee College of Law at 88%, Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law at 77%, University of Memphis School of Law at 50%, and Nashville School of Law at 44%. See all statistical information released by the board or see the list of those who passed.

Dickson County lawyer Bridget Eileen Rose Metzger was reinstated to the practice of law on April 11, after being placed on inactive status more than five years ago on April 21, 2016. The Board of Professional Responsibility determined that Metzger met all requirements for reinstatement.

Knox County lawyer Jerry Ronald Givens received a public censure from the Tennessee Supreme Court on April 14. The court found that Givens violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3, 3.4 and Rule 8.4(d) while representing a client in a general sessions civil suit. Among his actions, Givens failed to attend the initial trial setting, at which a judgment was entered against his client; untimely appealed the judgment to circuit court after the 10-day appeal deadline; untimely filed an appellate brief; failed to comply with an extension of time to file the brief; and failed to file a motion for extension of time to file the brief after being directed to do so by the court.