Petitioner, Paul Jerome Johnson, Jr., appeals the denial of his post-conviction petition, arguing that the post-conviction court erred by dismissing his claim of alleged bias by the trial court and in finding that he received the effective assistance of counsel at trial. Following our review of the entire record, oral arguments, and the briefs of the parties, we affirm the judgment of the post-conviction court.

The Petitioner, William Heath, appeals from the Shelby County Criminal Court’s denial of his petition for post-conviction relief from his convictions for especially aggravated robbery, aggravated assault, and reckless endangerment, for which he is serving an effective forty-year sentence. On appeal, he contends that the post-conviction court erred in “failing to view the cumulative effect of [his] claims as a constructive denial of the right to counsel.” We affirm the post-conviction court’s judgment.

This appeal arises from a post-divorce petition for contempt. Because we conclude that the trial court’s order failed to resolve all the issues before the court, we dismiss the appeal for lack of a final judgment.

On Oct. 3, the Tennessee Supreme Court reinstated Samuel Ervin White to the active practice of law. White was temporarily suspended by the Supreme Court of Tennessee for misappropriating funds for his personal use and posing a threat of substantial harm to the public. White sought to dissolve the temporary suspension and a hearing was held before a three-member disciplinary panel on Aug. 31. On Sept. 27, the panel recommended dissolution of the temporary suspension with conditions.

Campbell County lawyer Terry Matthew Basista received a public censure today from the Tennessee Supreme Court. Basista won an award of child support for his client by agreement of the parties during a hearing in Claiborne County Chancery Court on July 21, 2015. The court found that he failed to file an order for over two years and failed to stay abreast of the case, resulting in an order of closure being filed on August 18, 2017. By these acts, Basista violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3, 1.4 and 3.2.

The Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands will hold a clinic at the Belmont Ministry Center, 2005 12th Ave. S., Nashville 37204 on Oct. 28 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. CDT. This free legal clinic will help people with civil legal issues. To volunteer contact Kendra Cheek.

The Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands will be holding an Operation Stand Down clinic on Oct. 25 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. CDT at 1125 12th Ave. S., Nashville 37203. This clinic is free and for veterans only. To volunteer contact Kendra Cheek.

James Arthur Graham Jr., an attorney licensed to practice law in Louisiana but not in Tennessee, received a public censure on Oct. 5 from the Tennessee Supreme Court. Graham filed an application for comity admission in Tennessee and was authorized to practice law “pending admission” in Tennessee under Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 7, §10.07. Graham later withdrew his application for comity admission and was informed that his ability to practice “pending admission” had been revoked. Graham stated on his website for approximately 60 days after that point that he was licensed in Tennessee, which was a false statement and resulted in potential harm to the public.

A list of those who passed the July 2023 Tennessee bar exam is now available. According to the Board of Law Examiners, 713 individuals - 574 first-time test takers and 139 repeaters - took the July exam. They represent 98 different law schools and saw an overall pass rate of 67.18%. Click here for the list of successful bar exam candidates. See all statistical information from the exam on the Board of Law Examiners' webpage. Congratulations to all who passed!

The Memphis Bar Association will hold its Second Saturday Legal Clinic on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon CDT at the Benjamin Hooks Central Library, 3030 Poplar Ave., Memphis 38111.  Volunteers should arrive by 9:30 a.m. for instructions. Sign up here to volunteer.