Georgia lawyer Erik Todd Fuqua has been reinstated to the practice of law in Tennessee. Fuqua was placed on inactive status more than five years ago, on Oct. 5, 2014. He petitioned for reinstatement and the Board of Professional Responsibility deemed it to be satisfactory. The court issued its order today but made the reinstatement effective as of March 22.

The Nashville Hispanic Bar Association (NHBA) recently named its 2024 board of directors. They are: President Ana L. Escobar, judge on the Davidson County General Sessions Court, Div. 3; Vice President Alé Dalton with Bradley Arant Boult & Cummings; Secretary Ginnette Garza Brown, associate general counsel for Tennessee State University; Treasurer Michael Rivas with Michael Rivas Law; and Immediate Past President David Esquivel with Bass Berry & Sims. The NHBA began in 2019 and was officially incorporated in 2022. The group’s Eviction Right to Counsel Program provides free legal services and education to low-income residents in the immigrant community who are facing eviction. Read more in a news release from the group. For more information contact the association at hispanicattorneystn@gmail.com.

A lawsuit against Vanderbilt University Medical Center over the release of medical records of some patients of its transgender health clinic will move forward but with a narrower scope, a judge ruled Monday. According to the Tennessean, Davidson County Chancellor Patricia Head Moskal dismissed four of the plaintiffs' 10 claims, narrowing the issues down mostly to the plaintiffs' accusations of negligence against the medical center. Vanderbilt said it was pleased several claims were dismissed and that it looks “forward to the opportunity to prove that all sensitive information was handled appropriately and in accordance with state and federal law.” The issue centers on whether Vanderbilt erred when it turned records over to the state attorney general’s office, which said it needed the information for an investigation into possible medical billing fraud.

The Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands will hold its 6th Annual Breakfast of Champions on April 17 at 8 a.m. CDT in Nashville. The event, which will take place at the City Winery, 609 Lafayette St., Nashville 37203, brings Middle Tennessee’s legal community and business leaders together to support the organization’s work. Funds raised at the breakfast directly impact low-income and vulnerable communities by providing free community education and legal representation. Learn more and register online or view the invitation.

The U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals is seeking comments from the legal community and the public on the possible reappointment of U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Jennie D. Latta. Comments should be submitted by May 9 to Circuit Executive Marc Theriault, 503 Potter Stewart United States Courthouse, 100 East Fifth St., Cincinnati, OH 45202 or via email. Latta, who serves the Western District of Tennessee, is serving a 14-year term that will expire on March 5, 2025. Read the court’s official notice or contact the Office of the Circuit Executive at 513-564-7200 for more information.

Shelby County Criminal Court Judge Melissa Boyd’s bond was revoked today following a hearing where prosecutors argued she violated a number of bond conditions. Prosecutors said she failed two recent drug tests — one on March 12 and one on March 15 — and did not report for two additional drug screens on March 23 and 25. They also told the judge that she failed to report to Shelby County pretrial services or make weekly call-ins with the department. The Daily Memphian reports that Boyd will remain incarcerated until her trial begins on April 24, unless she pleads guilty before then. Boyd had been out on a $5,000 bond since Dec. 13, 2023. In related news, state legislators will vote on April 4 on whether to remove Boyd from office. The Daily Memphian has that story as well.

TBA's testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, by TBA Executive Director Sheree Wright and Williamson County attorney David R. Grimmett, is now available to watch online. The pair talked about the need to increase the hourly rate and cap for court-appointed attorneys representing the indigent, and expressed support for the Administrative Office of the Court’s budget request of $26.145 million to raise the hourly rate to $80 per hour. Following their testimony, the committee approved a motion in support of adding $26.145 million to the governor's budget for that purpose. The funds ultimately will be decided through budget negotiations between the administration and the legislature. Watch the TBA's testimony beginning at 17:08.

One of Nashville’s largest law firms is leaving its downtown office and downsizing its space, the Nashville Business Journal reports. According to the journal, Butler Snow has signed a 31,000-square-foot lease for the top two floors of a new office tower in Germantown’s Neuhoff District. The firm currently has offices at the Pinnacle at Symphony Place, occupying 46,000-square-feet on the 15th and 16th floors. In explaining the move, firm chair Chris Maddux said, “After a lengthy search, we concluded that Neuhoff was the best fit for our firm’s future.” Its “combination of striking architecture and the dynamic mix of retail and amenities will provide an elevated experience for both our team and our clients.” The firm is one of several tenants leaving the downtown tower. Bass, Berry & Sims previously announced it would move to Nashville Yards.

The TBA’s International Law Section will host its annual forum on May 17 in Nashville. Brie Knox, director of U.S. Commercial Service Tennessee/U.S. Department of Commerce/International Trade Administration, will be among the speakers at this informative program. Additional details will be announced soon. Watch the registration page for updates.

TBA Executive Director Sheree Wright and Williamson County attorney David R. Grimmett testified this week before the Senate Judiciary Committee about the need to increase the hourly rate and cap for court-appointed attorneys representing the indigent. In her statement, Wright said, “Tennessee’s court-appointed attorneys, who represent indigent citizens statutorily and constitutionally entitled to legal counsel, are the lowest paid in the country, and have not had their hourly reimbursement rate raised in 26 years.” Grimmett ended his testimony by stating, “On behalf of the juvenile court bar and every appointed counsel in this state, I am begging you to raise the rate for appointed counsel so that we can find a voice for these children and these families.” Wright and Grimmett agreed they support the Administrative Office of the Court’s (AOC) budget request of $26.145 million to raise the hourly rate for court appointed attorneys to $80 per hour, which was not included in the governor’s budget or his supplemental budget. However, Sen. Todd Gardenhire, R-Chattanooga, chair of the committee, made a motion after Wright and Grimmett’s testimony to amend the governor’s budget to add the $26.145 million in increased recurring funding to the AOC for indigent representation; this motion passed unanimously and will be signed by the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee. The funds will ultimately be decided through budget negotiations between the administration and the legislature. Watch the TBA's testimony beginning at 17:08 or see photos from the day.