The Tennessee Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case looking at whether judges improperly sealed files critical of Davidson County Criminal Court Judge Cheryl Blackburn’s performance on the bench. The Nashville Banner, which is bringing the suit, says that defense attorneys and prosecutors have long been concerned about Blackburn’s performance following a stroke she had in 2021. According to the Banner, Blackburn stumbled over her words, misspoke and appeared to fall asleep multiple times during a recent case. When the news outlet attempted to unseal a motion allegedly making specific claims about Blackburn’s competency, the motion was denied. The Tennessee Court of Appeals later narrowly upheld that ruling. The high court now will consider the request. The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, the Tennessee Association of Broadcasters, the Tennessee Coalition for Open Government and the Tennessee Press Association have filed a brief supporting the Banner’s motion to unseal the documents.

Wayne County General Sessions & Juvenile Court Judge James Y. Ross received the Sharon G. Lee Award of Excellence at the 2024 Annual Tennessee Municipal Court Judges Conference. Ross was elected as Wayne County general sessions and Clifton city judge in 1998. He also has served as Collinwood city judge since 2000. Prior to joining the bench, Ross served as Wayne County Attorney for 10 years and as a solo practitioner. The award, named for former Supreme Court Justice Sharon Lee, recognizes a judge who has made a significant contribution to the Municipal Judges Conference. The Administrative Office of the Courts has more on Ross’ career.

The Administrative Office of the Courts regularly highlights judges who have a compelling life story or career path. A recent profile of 21st District Circuit Court Judge David Veile looks at the long but persistent journey Veile took to pursue his dream of becoming a Tennessee judge. Veile was elected in August to fill the seat of retired Judge Michael Binkley after applying several times for appointments to the bench. “I think I may hold the title of most nominated. I’m four out of four for nominations and the least appointed with zero out of four,” he says. Veile’s prior experience as a Metro Nashville Police Officer and criminal defense lawyer gives him perspective on both sides of cases. With two months on the job, Veile says he feels a different level of responsibility and is embracing the preparation needed for cases, calling it his “absolute dream job.”

Some 30 lawyers have had their credentials misused to fraudulently secure trademark protections, a growing problem facing the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO), Bloomberg Law reports. Scammers have faked application materials, misused attorney credentials or used social engineering to hijack applicants’ accounts to file fraudulent applications. According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), more than a third of the 2.8 million trademark applications received by the PTO may be false or inaccurate. The GAO advised the PTO to more regularly assess fraud risk of the trademark register while improving its data systems for stronger risk management. The PTO is encouraging lawyers to help spread the word about these scams.

Aspiring lawyers consistently have given law schools high marks over the past two decades, with about 80% rating their experience as either “good” or “excellent.” This year’s Law School Survey of Student Engagement is no different, according to Reuters. The survey also revealed that satisfaction rates among students of color remained consistently lower than among white counterparts. The survey found that 84% of white students rated their overall law school experience as good or excellent, whereas just 67% of Black students and 77% of Latino students gave similar high ratings. The survey, conducted by Indiana University's Center for Postsecondary Research, marked its 20th edition this year with a look back at how student diversity, debt loads, career plans and satisfaction levels have changed — or not — over the years.

Cheatham Middle School in Ashland City must choose a new mascot after the University of Cincinnati (UC) sent a cease-and-desist letter concerning copyright and licensing infringements regarding the school's current mascot, the Bearcats. In a social media post, Cheatham Middle School submitted a proposal to UC agreeing to remove the logo and create a new one but was denied and informed that the school can no longer use or refer to themselves as the "Bearcats." UC owns a sports licensing copyright for the word. The Tennessean reports that, after gathering community input, the top four choices for a new mascot are Musketeers, Bobcats, Cubs or Coyotes.

Tennessee House of Representatives Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, recently announced a review of Shelby County General Sessions Criminal Court Judge Bill Anderson’s cases, stating that the judge "stands with violent criminals rather than law enforcement, victims, families and protecting Memphis." The Daily Memphian reports that Anderson has been criticized for releasing several defendants on their own recognizance in recent months. Recently, Anderson released without bail a defendant accused of shooting at police during a 12-hour standoff and three other suspects charged in the shooting of a FedEx employee at a company facility near Memphis International Airport. Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy says he will appeal some of those decisions. Anderson responded saying, "I will only say that Speaker Sexton or anyone else who wants to review my cases is certainly free to do so as much as they please. Mine is a court of public record and is open to the public." In April, a Shelby County commissioner also called on Anderson to resign.

The State Building Commission recently authorized $43 million in emergency funds to keep Tennessee State University (TSU) operational through the end of the year. The crisis allegedly stems from financial mismanagement under immediate past President Glenda Glover's administration. Interim TSU President Ronald Johnson has criticized the lack of oversight by the previous Board of Trustees, which was vacated earlier this year by the state legislature. According to Johnson, the board signed an $800,000 advisory contract with the outgoing president despite the university's financial struggles. Others point to historic underfunding as a major reason for the current financial straits. The commission has urged TSU to implement an emergency plan, restructure its leadership and consider selling property as a way to stabilize finances and enrollment. The Tennessee Lookout has the story.

The Tennessee Bar Association Academy offers an exciting opportunity for a limited number of Tennessee attorneys to be admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court. The 2025 admission ceremony will take place March 4 at the court in Washington, D.C. In addition to taking part in the private ceremony, participants will be invited to a TBA President's Reception and a special celebration dinner, and will receive three hours of prepaid credits to use for future CLE programming. The group will stay at the Hay Adams Hotel, where a block of rooms has been reserved at the discounted rate of $395 a night. The cost to register is $750 for TBA members and $450 for guests. Those interested in participating should complete this online form by Dec. 3. Applicants will be considered on a first-come basis and will be contacted to confirm interest and complete the application process.

Hamilton County General Sessions Court Judge Tori Smith’s quest to become a judge started after watching an episode of "Saved by the Bell." "I wish so badly that I could quote some philosopher, but it was Jessie Spano," Smith says. "It was a flashback episode or a dream where she was a judge, and I just thought it sounded really cool and that’s how it started." She wanted a career that allowed her to serve her Native American community as a member of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. Her tribe established an education scholarship, which she was able to advantage of in her journey to law school. Smith was appointed to the court to fill the vacancy left by Judge Alex McVeagh, who recently was elected to the 11th Judicial District Circuit Court. Read more about Judge Smith from the Administrative Office of the Courts.