The Tennessee Supreme Court heard four cases today in Nashville and had two more cases on its docket that will be submitted on briefs. All of the cases presented today will be available on the court’s YouTube site. You can read details of the six cases on the court’s website.

TBA YLD Access to Justice Coordinator Trina Hughes and District 3 Representative Mari Jasa met with law students at Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law today in Knoxville. Jasa is a graduate of the TBA’s Diversity Leadership Institute program and encouraged students to take advantage of that program and others at the TBA while law students. See more photos.

Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee & the Cumberlands is hosting a Pro Bono Appreciation Happy Hour to thank and recognize its volunteers. The event is on on Oct. 19 from 4:30-6 p.m. CDT at 501 Commerce Street at Fifth & Broadway in Nashville, and is sponsored by Polsinelli and K&L Gates. Find more information and RSVP here. 

The Shelby County Grand Jury indicted Defendant, Zion Robinson, for rape of a child, a Class A felony. Pursuant to a negotiated plea agreement, Petitioner entered an open guilty plea to the substantially reduced offense of sexual battery, a Class E felony. Following a sentencing hearing, the trial court denied Defendant’s requests for judicial diversion and probation and sentenced Defendant to serve two years incarcerated. Additionally, the trial court ordered Defendant to register with the Sex Offender Registry. Defendant appeals, arguing that the trial court abused its discretion in denying judicial diversion. We conclude that Defendant has waived appellate review of his sentence by failing to prepare an adequate record and we therefore affirm the judgment of the trial court. We remand this case, however, for the entry of a corrected judgment form reflecting the indicted offense of rape of a child.

The defendant, Spenser Curtis McGuiggan, appeals the Marshall County Circuit Court’s order revoking his probation and requiring him to serve in confinement the balance of his six-year sentence for sexual battery of a minor. Discerning no error, we affirm.

A Shelby County jury convicted the Defendant, Willie Brown, of rape of a child, and the trial court sentenced him to serve twenty-seven years. On appeal, the Defendant argues that the evidence is legally insufficient to support his conviction. He also asserts that (1) the trial court erred in admitting text messages that were not properly authenticated; (2) the State violated Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963), when it failed to disclose records related to an investigation of the victim’s mother; and (3) the trial court imposed an excessive sentence. On our review, we respectfully affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Each year the Memphis Bar Association’s Access to Justice Committee recognizes those in the Memphis legal community who show a commitment to pro bono service and the pursuit of access to justice for all. The committee is accepting nominations through Oct. 6 for the Access to Justice 2023 Pro Bono Awards. Award recipients will be announced at the MBA’s 2023 Pro Bono Awards Ceremony on Nov. 8 at a reception hosted by Butler Snow. Submit a nomination via this form. 

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump rallied students at Tennessee State University on Tuesday, urging them to encourage Tennessee lawmakers to allocate $2.1 billion in funds that should have been provided to the school but weren't, the Tennessean reports. Crump, who has provided legal services to several Black families whose loved ones have been killed by police, told students they had been cheated out of better opportunities that the additional money would have brought to the campus. He also threatened legal action if the funding is not restored. The funding shortage was spelled out in a letter from the Biden administration to Gov. Bill Lee last month. Tennessee was one of 16 states accused of underfunding its historically Black land-grant universities by billions of dollars over the last 30 years.

This year's Hot Topics in Real Estate will take place virtually on Nov. 10, allowing you to learn from the comfort of your home or office. The program, produced in cooperation with the Tennessee Land Title Association, is a staple for Tennessee dirt lawyers, designed to keep you on the cutting edge of developments in your practice. This year's program starts at 9 a.m. CST and provides 1 hour of dual credit and 4.75 hours of general credit.

The TBA offers a member advantage relationship with SoFi, one of the largest providers of student, home and personal loans. Members seeking to consolidate and refinance student loans can save thousands of dollars thanks to SoFi’s flexible terms, low rates and no fees. TBA members also will receive an exclusive rate discount! Don't have student loans? SoFi can help you reach your financial goals with other solutions, including mortgages and personal loans. Get started today at SoFi.com/TBA.