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.

Across America, state civil courts handle about 20 million cases annually. Despite steady growth in the number of practicing lawyers, more than three-quarters of cases seen by these courts have at least one unrepresented party. Some legal scholars have likened the civil court system to an "emergency-room model," where issues are addressed by the legal system after becoming a crisis and with courts functioning as a clearinghouse for social problems. Between the big three on civil court dockets — family law, housing and debt cases — studies have shown those with legal representation were up to 13 times more likely to receive a favorable outcome. To address this trend, some states are pursuing novel remedies. Several have instituted "informal" family law trials, where parties can consent to waive the rules of evidence and have the judge ask questions directly. Another state created forms for creditors to show each time a debt was sold and resold and to prove they were collecting within the statute of limitations. University of Tennessee College of Law professor Ben Barton, whose work focuses on pro se litigants, says fixing the problem requires a reimagining of what access to justice looks like. “If we’re taking the time and money to change the system, why set up a self-help center so you can navigate a complicated system with a lot of rigmarole on the front end?” Barton asks. Instead, he concludes, "try and put it together in a way that’s better for normal people.” The New York Times reports on the issue.

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.

RONALD LEE GILMAN, Circuit Judge. Wehr Constructors, Inc. (Wehr) breached an agreement to build an addition to the St. Claire Medical Center (St. Claire) in Morehead, Kentucky. In response, St. Claire sued Travelers Casualty and Surety Company (Travelers Surety), Wehr’s performance-bond carrier, and Travelers Surety in turn brought in Wehr as a party to the litigation. Wehr appeals the district court’s ruling that none of Wehr’s three insurers (Phoenix, St. Paul, and Travelers Property) had a duty to defend Wehr in that lawsuit. For the reasons set forth below, we AFFIRM the district court’s decision regarding St. Paul, but REVERSE its decision regarding Phoenix, VACATE its decision regarding Travelers Property, and REMAND for further proceedings as to these latter two insurers.

KAREN NELSON MOORE, Circuit Judge. Kassandra Memmer sued her former employer, United Wholesale Mortgage (“UWM”), for discrimination that she allegedly faced during her tenure there. The lawsuit includes allegations of sexual harassment. UWM moved to dismiss the lawsuit and compel arbitration under the parties’ employment agreement. The district court granted the motion. Memmer appeals, arguing that the arbitration agreement is invalid and that she has a right to go to court notwithstanding any otherwise valid agreement due to the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021 (“EFAA”). UWM responds that EFAA does not apply here, because Memmer’s claims accrued before the law was enacted. As a matter of first impression in our circuit, we conclude that EFAA applies to claims that accrue after its date of enactment and to disputes, understood as controversies between the parties, that arise after that date. We accordingly REVERSE and REMAND for the district court to apply the correct interpretation of EFAA to this case.

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.