Newly elected family court Judge Stephanie Williams made history Sunday, becoming the first Black woman to preside over a Davidson County circuit court. She was sworn in at a ceremony on the campus of Trevecca Nazarene University, which was one of the stops on her educational path. Shaped by personal experience as an attorney and a petitioner in family court, Williams says she aims to make family court proceedings more “relational” and less “transactional” whenever possible, while making process more accessible for all. “I hope that they walk away feeling like there is a future, and that they have a hope in that future,” she said of her courtroom, according to the Nashville Banner. 

Tennessee has joined a federal antitrust lawsuit against RealPage, a software company that helps its clients set apartment rental prices. The complaint, filed Friday on behalf of the federal government and seven states, accuses RealPage of hindering fair competition by providing a price-sharing software that suggests monthly rent prices to real estate companies based on vacancies and other participants’ rent charges. The lawsuit alleges that the company "subverts competition and the competitive process ... openly and directly."  The company came under scrutiny in 2022 after ProPublica published an investigation featuring RealPage leadership boasting about rent increases in Nashville. In addition to fair market complaints from small landlords, renters’ rights groups have criticized the company for driving rental costs up amid a nationwide affordable housing crisis. Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti said in a press release Friday that his office has been looking into RealPage since 2023 and was “glad to be part of this bipartisan effort to protect consumers and hold RealPage accountable.” Axios has the story.

Gov. Bill Lee issued a proclamation last month designating August as “Justice Roger A. Page” month in honor of the 26 years of service given by Justice Page, who is retiring at the end of the month. Page is a Chester County native who graduated from the University of Memphis School of Law  in 1984. He served as an assistant state attorney general in Jackson and was later sworn in as circuit court judge in the 26th Judicial District, where he presided over both civil and criminal trials in Chester, Henderson and Madison counties. Page joined the Tennessee Supreme Court in 2106 after being unanimously confirmed by the Tennessee General Assembly, the first justice to receive that level of support. “Justice Page leaves a legacy of dedicated and tireless work as a trial judge, as an intermediate appellate judge and as Justice and Chief Justice on the Tennessee Supreme Court, with his innate intelligence reflected in his decisions,” the proclamation states. Chester County Independent has the story.

Gov. Bill Lee has responded to news of a federal investigation at the Trousdale Turner Correctional Center, saying the facility operator, CoreCivic, is an important state partner and has made significant efforts to reduce staff turnover, according to The Tennessean. Lee also noted that Tennessee Department of Correction Commissioner Frank Strada has spent quite a bit of time at the facility to make sure "that if there are deficiencies that we work to meet them." The Tennessee Lookout also reports that the Lee touted the facility's reduction of the inmate population from 2,480 to 2,068 and increased pay for state correctional officers as gradual improvements, while acknowledging that substantial penalties have been assessed for not meeting contractual requirements.

The TBA Young Lawyers Division provided essential documents to 16 Sumner County firefighters today. Seven attorneys participated and provided approximately $7,500 of legal services free of charge. With the help of two Belmont Law students, these important community members received documents pertaining to powers of attorney, advanced healthcare directives and last wills and testaments. The clinic was organized by YLD District 8 Representative Grace Benitone Burnett.

The Chattanooga Bar Association on Sept. 10 will present a public reading of a screenplay written by former Hamilton County Circuit Court Judge W. Neil Thomas III about the trial of Ed Johnson. The event will take place from 3-5 p.m. EDT at the Hamilton County Courthouse, 4th Floor – County Commission Room, 625 Georgia Ave., Chattanooga 37402. Thomas is the great-nephew of Will Thomas, one of the attorneys assigned to defend Johnson, who was accused of rape and ultimately lynched in Chattanooga in 1906. The screenplay recognizes Johnson's death and sacrifice and honors the historic efforts of attorneys Noah Parden and Styles Hutchins. Judges, elected officials, attorneys, pastors and community leaders will participate in the event. Download the cast list here. Friends of the Ed Johnson Memorial said of the event: “It is critical for communities across the country, including Chattanooga, to do the difficult work of unearthing and confronting our own histories of racial injustice, while exploring how that history continues to shape the present.” Contact Jane Bowen, judicial administrator, with questions.

Judge Joe D. Duncan, a retired presiding judge of the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals, died Aug. 20 at age 100. Duncan, who grew up in Scott County and received his law degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law, was known for his contributions to the legal profession and his strong family ties. He served in the military, practiced law with his brother, Congressman John James Duncan, and held various judicial positions. Duncan also was involved in community service and family gatherings throughout his life. While funeral arrangements are pending, Duncan will be buried at the family cemetery on S.R. 63 in Huntsville. The Independent Herald has this remembrance.

The Nashville School of Law (NSL) recently held its annual Recognition Dinner to honor Nashville lawyer Bill Harbison and its class of 1974. Harbison, an attorney with Sherrard Roe Voigt & Harbison and a former TBA president, was recognized for his community service and 15 years as a professor of contracts. The class of 1974 was honored for its 50th anniversary. Several members of the class attended the dinner and shared their experiences at NSL. A scholarship also was announced in honor of a deceased classmate, Kirk Scobey. Read more in the press release. See photos from the event.

The American Bar Association (ABA) has released its first guidance on how lawyers should assess potential clients under a revised ethics rule. The rule, adopted in 2023, requires lawyers to inquire into a client's situation to avoid unknowingly assisting in criminal activity. Formal Opinion 513 acknowledges the challenges lawyers may face in making these assessments and offers a step-by-step approach to help them navigate potentially risky situations. It includes questions to consider when undertaking an assessment of the representation and whether the lawyer would be assisting or furthering a crime or fraud.

Brittany Bartkowiak was recently honored by the Williamson County Bar Association for her leadership as its president for 2023-2024. The association also recently announced the members of its executive board for 2024-2025. They are President Charles Ferguson, President-elect Crystal Etue, Treasurer Amanda Bradley and Secretary Dylan Harper.