Charles Rogers Martin of Kingsport died last week at the age of 84. Martin received his law degree from University of Oklahoma with a focus in intellectual property law and worked as a patent attorney for Eastman Chemical Company for 30 years. Martin served as president of Kingsport Bar Association and was also a member of the Oklahoma, Tennessee and Kingsport Bar associations. A memorial service celebrating his life will take place Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. EST at Carter Trent Funeral Home, 520 Watauga St., Kingsport 37660.

The Nashville mayor’s office and the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) are making a push to secure the city council’s support for Fusus, a surveillance footage centralization system that would allow police to access private surveillance cameras to aid in investigations. According to the Nashville Banner, at the council’s most recent meeting, two dozen residents spoke about the contract, many in opposition to the idea. An amendment to address concerns includes provisions to terminate the contract if federal or state law enforcement misuses the system, prohibit facial recognition or AI, and ensure that the company cannot change its terms unilaterally. If approved, MNPD could use Fusus to access private surveillance footage from camera owners who volunteer for the program. Police could review the footage in prescribed scenarios, including in response to higher-level calls for service. The council will reconsider the issue Tuesday night.

The TBA will host a “Post-Election Tax and Economic Forecasting” CLE webcast on Dec. 5. The session, running from noon to 1 p.m. CST, will explore the potential impacts of the recent federal election on federal taxes and the economy. Topics will include the future of individual and corporate tax rates, itemized deductions, the Qualified Business Income deduction, and estate and gift tax exemptions, as well as the economics of tariffs, trade protections, debt, deficit and inflation. For more information and to register, visit TBA’s website.

The TBA Young Lawyers Division adds another informative webcast to its Rookie Series with Intro to Probate Law on Jan. 22 at noon CST. Join Laura Chastain with the Board of Professional Responsibility, Probate Court Judge Kathleen Gomes, Memphis lawyer Scott Peatross with Bourland Heflin and TBA YLD Vice President Jennifer Sneed for a panel discussion on some of the most common ethical issues that arise in probate practice and how lawyers may best navigate them. Click here for more information and to register.

The TBA Young Lawyers Division (YLD) and its Mock Trial Committee have released case materials for the 2025 Tennessee State High School Mock Trial Competition. In the new case, Lee Jasper v Reece Witherfork, students will present their best arguments in a civil scenario centered around a rodeo. District competitions will be held in February. Teams advancing to the state competition will meet in Nashville March 21-22 to determine the Tennessee champion. This year's competition will feature the organization's first Artist in the Courtroom Contest. Tennessee's team winner and first place artist will have the opportunity to represent the state at the National High School Mock Trial Competition in Phoenix, Arizona, May 7-10. The Mock Trial Committee is led by Chair Ashley Tipton, Vice Chair Michael Holmes and Long Range Planning Coordinator Zack Walden. Access resources for the upcoming competition. 

TBA’s Group Health Insurance, provided by BlueCross BlueShield (BCBST), offers guaranteed issue coverage, with no health questions and no pre-existing condition exclusions. The Chattanooga law firm of Campbell & Campbell made the switch. Here is what office manager Cynthia Jones says about the program: “When we first moved our small firm health insurance coverage to TBA Member Insurance, we saved around $15,000 on our renewal with BCBST with the same coverage. Renewals are about the easiest I have ever experienced, and the staff is knowledgeable, friendly and extremely helpful. There is no reason to not make the switch.” Find out more or get your quote now.

The most recent installment of TBA's Indigent Representation Primer is now available. The post looks at the right to counsel for indigent parties in criminal cases, including factors that courts may consider in determining to appoint an attorney for a defendant. Read more about Tennessee's system of indigent defense and see past primer posts here.

Atlanta lawyer Ollie M. Harton died May 5. A Tennessee-licensed attorney and TBA member, Harton earned his law degree from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law and a master of laws from Emory University School of Law. He started his career as a judicial law clerk in the Tennessee Court of Appeals and served as a trial lawyer in the Tennessee Attorney General's Office. Harton joined Hawkins Parnell & Young in Atlanta 1988 and served there as a long-time shareholder. At the firm, Harton was key in expanding the footprint beyond Georgia and turning the Toxic Tort Litigation Group into a national presence. He personally tried over 90 toxic tort cases nationwide and was a giant in the defense of asbestos litigation. The firm has more on his career.

The Tennessee Supreme Court has suspended Sumner County lawyer Jocelyn Doria Mims from the practice of law until further order of the court. The court took the action after Mims was adjudged guilty of two felony counts of tampering with evidence, one count of making false report, and three counts of Intentional failure to report child sexual abuse. The matter has been referred to the Board of Professional Responsibility to determine the extent of final discipline to be imposed.

Following a jury trial, a Cheatham County jury convicted Defendant, Jared A. Smith, of three counts of Rape of a Child, four counts of Aggravated Sexual Battery, and three counts of Incest, for which he received a total effective sentence of seventy-eight years’ incarceration. On appeal, Defendant contends that: (1) the trial court erred by limiting his cross-examination of a police witness; (2) the State’s election of offenses was “vague, ambiguous and unsupported by the evidence,” in violation of his right to a unanimous jury verdict; and (3) the trial court erred by declining to instruct the jury on generic evidence. Following a thorough review of the record and applicable law, we affirm.