Appellants, lawyers and their law firms, appeal the trial court’s denial of their petition to dismiss this lawsuit under the Tennessee Public Protection Act. On appeal, we conclude that the trial court erred in concluding that Appellants failed to establish that this claim relates to the protected right to petition. As such, we reverse the judgment of the trial court and remand for further proceedings.

For the week of April 8, 2024 - April 12, 2024

Fayetteville lawyer Thomas Owen Bagley died April 12 at the age of 94. A graduate of Washington and Lee University School of Law, Bagley moved to Fayetteville in 1953 and entered private practice with Robert W. Stevens. He served with the law firm of Stevens, Bagley & Stevens until his retirement in 2002. Bagley served as Fayetteville city attorney for more than 41 years, as president of the Tennessee Municipal Attorneys Association and as a state representative from 1959-1960. A funeral service will be held tomorrow at 11 a.m. CDT at Fayetteville First Presbyterian Church, 101 Mulberry Ave., Fayetteville 37334. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery, 511 Edison St. W., Fayetteville 37334. The Elk Valley Times has additional reflections from those who knew and worked with Bagley.

In honor of Help4TN month, the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) has released a new podcast episode focused on the Tennessee Justice Bus. Tune in to hear a discussion about the mobile legal law office bringing legal help to rural communities. Participants include Justice Elizabeth "Beth" D. Walker of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, Arkansas Supreme Court Justice Rhonda K. Wood, Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Jeff Bivins and Anne-Lousie Wirthlin, director of access to justice and strategic development at the AOC.

Tom Guarente, a Brentwood tech executive, has withdrawn from the Republican primary for the Fifth Congressional District, according to news reports. His decision leaves Metro Councilmember Courtney Johnston as the sole challenger to Republican U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles. Guarente said he met with Johnston and decided to support her candidacy instead "for the greater good." Guarente confirmed his decision to The Tennessee Star last Thursday. While Guarente filed official paperwork for his candidacy in February, he never formally launched a campaign. On the Democratic side, Maryam Abolfazli will now be unopposed in the race to face Ogles. Her last remaining primary opponent has withdrawn from the race, the Associated Press reports.

Don't miss the latest tax program from the TBA. "The Fundamentals of Tennessee Franchise & Excise Tax" will air as a webcast on May 2 from noon to 1 p.m. CDT. Join Jeff Foster from the Tennessee Department of Revenue, who will provide an overview of the basic legal principles of Tennessee's franchise and excise tax. The webcast will include a brief history of the tax, its importance to the state’s revenue, and an examination of the significant legal changes that have occurred in the last decade.

The defendant, Brittany Linda Lou Davis, appeals her Lincoln County Circuit Court jury convictions of delivering and selling .5 grams or more of methamphetamine, arguing that the trial court erred by admitting a recording of the controlled buy, that the evidence was insufficient to support her convictions, and that the trial court erred by sentencing her as a Range III offender. Discerning no error, we affirm.

The U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals will hold a Bench Bar Reception on April 30 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. CDT at the Tempo Hotel, 127 Rosa L. Parks Blvd., Nashville 37203. The event will occur during the court’s scheduled sitting in Nashville, April 29-May 3. RSVP here by April 26. The event will include a cash bar.

A list of those who passed the February 2024 Tennessee bar exam is now available. Those who meet all licensing requirements will be sworn in at events across the state during the week of June 3. The Tennessee Supreme Court released the schedule yesterday. The court will meet on June 3 at 9 a.m. in Memphis and 1:30 p.m. CDT in Jackson; June 4 at 9 a.m. EDT in Knoxville and 2 p.m. CDT in Nashville; June 5 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. CDT virtually; and June 6 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. CDT virtually.

Also, the Board of Law Examiners released statistics about the February 2024 bar exam. According to the board, 262 individuals — 108 first time test takers and 154 repeaters — took the exam. They represent 74 different law schools and saw an overall pass rate of 40.1%. For first time test-takers at Tennessee law schools, the University of Tennessee College of Law and Vanderbilt University Law School saw a 100% pass rate, followed by Belmont University College of Law at 66.7%, Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law at 40%. Nashville School of Law at 35.7% and University of Memphis School of Law at 33.3%. See all statistical information from the exam.

Montgomery County lawyer Joel David Ragland has been suspended from the practice of law after the Tennessee Supreme Court found that he misappropriated funds for his personal use and posed a threat of substantial harm to the public. Ragland is immediately precluded from accepting any new cases, and must cease representing existing clients by May 12.