Davidson County lawyer Alex Fletcher Thompson was temporarily suspended from the practice of law on Jan. 26. The Tennessee Supreme Court took the action after finding that Thompson failed to comply with its order entered on Nov. 28, 2023. The court also granted a motion to file documents in the case under seal.

Davidson County lawyer Wendell Cornelius Dawson was suspended from the practice of law for three years on Jan. 26, with three months to be served on active suspension and the remainder on probation. The Tennessee Supreme Court conditioned the suspension on Dawson incurring no new complaints of misconduct related to the discipline, additional continuing legal education, engagement of a practice monitor and payment of costs in the amount of $6,265. The court found that Dawson failed to communicate with clients adequately about the status of their cases, move his clients’ cases forward diligently and expeditiously, respond to requests for evidence from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and represent his clients competently. These actions were determined to violate Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 3.2 and 8.4(a).

The TBA's 2024 Tax Law Forum will take place live in person in Knoxville on Feb. 1, with a focus on the tax implications of the NCAA's new policy on name, image and likeness (NIL) activities. Join E. Michael Brezina, a Knoxville attorney and law professor who also co-founded Next Level Athletics and Varsity Sports Group, for this fascinating discussion. The program still start at 4 p.m. EST at Tennessee Tax Law. Can't make it to Knoxville? The program also will be live streamed to locations in two other cities: Nashville at the offices of Lewis Thomason and Chattanooga at the Olsen Law Firm.

The TBA’s next book club discussion event will take place tomorrow with Preston Lauterbach, author of “Beale Street Dynasty: Sex, Song and the Struggle for the Soul of Memphis.” The rescheduled event will take place virtually on Zoom beginning at 4 p.m. CST. Register to attend. The book, selected by TBA President Jim Barry, centers on an ex-slave who becomes the south’s first Black millionaire in Prohibition-era Memphis. Lauterbach brings history and the realities of race relations to life in his works, which also include “The Chitlin’ Circuit” and “Bluff City.” He also has co-authored three memoirs on significant figures in Black music: American blues musician and song writer Robert Johnson, Memphis soul drummer Howard Grimes, and a soon-to-be released biography of the Blind Boys of Alabama.

The TBA’s next book club discussion event will take place tomorrow with Preston Lauterbach, author of “Beale Street Dynasty: Sex, Song and the Struggle for the Soul of Memphis.” The event will take place virtually on Zoom. Register to attend. The book, selected by TBA President Jim Barry, centers on an ex-slave who becomes the south’s first Black millionaire in Prohibition-era Memphis. Lauterbach brings history and the realities of race relations to life in his works, which also include “The Chitlin’ Circuit” and “Bluff City.” He also has co-authored three memoirs on significant figures in Black music: American blues musician and song writer Robert Johnson; Memphis soul drummer Howard Grimes; and a soon-to-be released biography of the Blind Boys of Alabama.

The TBA Appellate Practice Section recently hosted a webinar on e-filing in Tennessee appellate courts. Expert panelists detailed the nuts and bolts of the e-filing system, along with tips on best practices, lessons learned and feedback from the appellate court clerks. You can find the webinar on the TBA CLE website.

The Appellants seek accelerated interlocutory review of an order denying their motion to recuse. Because the filing fails to comply with Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 10B, we dismiss the appeal.

The Claims Commissioner dismissed the claimant’s claim due to lack of subject matter jurisdiction. Discerning no error, we affirm.

In a letter sent to the legislative leaders, the Board of Judicial Conduct has recommended the removal of Shelby County Criminal Court Judge Melissa Boyd. The Commercial Appeal reports that the formal action follows the board’s notice to the General Assembly last fall that Boyd had received a second public reprimand. In the letter, the board summarizes allegations of substance abuse and harassment as well as Boyd’s failure to comply with agreements with the board and says, “Judge Boyd is solely responsible for the untenable situation she has created for herself, the judiciary and the public,” concluding that “there is no end in sight but for her removal." Read the letter.

The Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville and its Volunteer Lawyers & Professionals for the Arts (VLPA) program will hold a pro bono clinic on Feb. 7 for those needing legal advice on issues surrounding their creative practice. The free 30-minute in-person appointments are available to income-qualified artists, musicians, creatives and arts organizations in the state. The clinic will run from 6-8 p.m. CDT at the McGruder Family Resource Center, 2013 25th Ave. N., Nashville 37208. Those who would like to participate should register by Feb. 2. To volunteer at the clinic email vlpa@abcnashville.org.