Legislation that passed the Tennessee Senate and House unanimously last week would require police to report each time they charge someone with driving under the influence and toxicology results later show the person was sober. Under the bill, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation must report to the speakers of the House and Senate all instances in the previous year when someone was charged with DUI but no alcohol or other intoxicants were detected in their blood or breath. Reporting would begin in 2026 and continue through 2029, the Tennessean reports. Cases of sober drivers being charged with DUI have received increased news coverage and public attention in recent years according to the paper. Sen. Raumesh Akbari, D-Memphis, said the bill is intended to help the legislature determine whether “this is actually a real statewide problem.” The bill now goes to the governor for his consideration.

A judge ruled Thursday that Alphabet’s Google illegally dominates two markets for online advertising technology. According to Reuters, U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema found Google liable for “willfully acquiring and maintaining monopoly power” in the markets for publisher ad servers and ad exchanges, which sit between buyers and sellers. The decision clears the way for a future hearing to determine what steps Google must take to restore competition in those markets, such as selling off parts of its business. A trial date has not yet been set. It is the second court ruling finding that Google holds an illegal monopoly, following a similar judgment in a case over online search. The U.S. Department of Justice has said Google should be required to divest at least its Google Ad Manager, which includes the company’s publisher ad server and ad exchange. Read more in a statement from Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti.

Clarksville attorney Brian Lee Hill died Dec. 23, 2024, at age 52. Hill was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and earned his law degree from the Appalachian School of Law. He represented clients in bankruptcy cases. A memorial service was held Jan. 10 at Allen Funeral Home in Hurricane, West Virginia. Online condolences may be made here.

The trial of former Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada and his chief of staff, Cade Cothren, will begin tomorrow. The government alleges 20 counts of money laundering, bribery, wire fraud and theft related to the operations of a mailer company, Phoenix Solutions. The trial likely will feature a long list of Republican lawmakers and operatives called to testify, including Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, House Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland, Rep. Todd Warner, R-Chapel Hill, and more, the Nashville Banner reports.

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.