Knox News recently published answers from Knox County General Sessions judicial candidates incumbent Republican Judge Andrea Kline and challenger Democrat Ben Houston II. The two answered questions about what they believe to be the biggest challenge facing the court, the goals they would set for their first term on the bench, and a time when the candidates changed their minds on an important issue, and the cause of that shift. Kline stated that the biggest challenge to the court is efficiently managing large and diverse caseloads while effectively serving the people of Knox County and protecting individual rights. Houston's goals for his first term include expanding access to justice by enacting a pro se indigency motion docket. Read more from the paper.

Led by Dr. Amy Schmisseur, associate professor of communication studies of Belmont University, this webcast examines generational characteristics, workplace expectations, communication preferences and common sources of misunderstanding. Multigenerational workplaces are now the norm, and attorneys in leadership roles must manage differing expectations around work style, feedback and communication. Tune in July 21 at noon CDT and receive one dual credit hour with "Developing Lawyers, Developing Leaders: Communicating Across Generations." Looking for something else? Visit the TBA website for all July offerings.

Effective July 14, the Tennessee Supreme Court suspended Steven Carl Frazier from the practice of law for nine months, with 30 days to be served on active suspension and the remainder on probation with conditions. The court directed Frazier to employ a practice monitor during the probationary period and incur no new misconduct complaints. The court took the action after receiving three complaints. It found that Frazier failed to adequately represent clients, communicate with his clients, act diligently and expedite litigation. Frazier agreed to a conditional guilty plea acknowledging his conduct violated Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.16, 3.2 and 8.4. The court also imposed conditions on any future reinstatement to the practice of law.

Attorneys for Darrell Hines, the next person scheduled to be executed in Tennessee, have filed a motion to compel the state to answer two questions: whether the Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) plans to use Dr. Mark Fowler — the medical professional who reportedly struggled to establish a central IV line during Tony Carruthers’ failed execution — in Hines’ execution; and whether TDOC plans to use expired drugs in Hines’ execution. The motions are part of an ongoing legal challenge to the state’s lethal injection protocol. WJHL News Channel 11 and WPLN report on the filing. Hines is scheduled to be executed on Aug. 13.

In 2023, a Benton County jury convicted the Defendant, Kenneth Ray Smotherman, II, of the sale of .5 grams or more of methamphetamine. The trial court sentenced the Defendant as a career offender to thirty years of confinement, to be served at 60%. On appeal, the Defendant contends that the evidence is insufficient to support his conviction and that the trial court erred when it did not instruct the jury on facilitation or casual exchange as lesser- included offenses. After review, we affirm the trial court’s judgment.

After a bench trial, the trial court convicted the Defendant, Trevarius Dewayne Houston, of two counts of assault against a law enforcement officer, one count of retaliation for past action, one count of theft of merchandise, and one count of resisting arrest. The trial court sentenced the Defendant to serve a total effective sentence of two years, suspended to a year of probation. On appeal, the Defendant asserts that: (1) the evidence is insufficient to support his convictions; and (2) the State committed prosecutorial misconduct during closing argument. After review, we reverse the trial court’s judgments in Count 1 and Count 3 and affirm the remaining judgments.

A Knox County jury convicted the Defendant, Amory K. Collins, of one count of burglary and one count of criminal trespass. The trial court merged one count of criminal trespass and the burglary conviction and then sentenced the Defendant to eight years of incarceration. On appeal, the Defendant contends that the evidence is insufficient to sustain his conviction for burglary because there was insufficient proof that he acted knowingly with regard to the underlying theft or attempted theft. After review, we affirm the trial court’s judgments.

The petitioner filed a petition seeking judicial review of certain interlocutory decisions made by an administrative law judge during forfeiture proceedings conducted by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. The petitioner also raised constitutional issues that had not been raised during the agency proceedings. The trial court determined that it did not possess subject matter jurisdiction to review the interlocutory agency decisions or other constitutional issues raised for the first time in the petition for judicial review. The petitioner has appealed. Discerning no reversible error, we affirm.

A news item in yesterday’s issue of TBA Today contained an incorrect date for the upcoming retirement of District Attorney General James B. “Jimmy” Dunn. The 4th Judicial District prosecutor will retire on Aug. 31.

Introduction to Bar Associations

Bar associations are where mentoring relationships flourish. Whether you're a new attorney seeking guidance or an experienced lawyer ready to give back, bar associations provide the structure, community and opportunities that make mentoring meaningful and sustainable.

Bar associations are natural mentoring hubs. Mentees will find access to experienced professionals who can guide your career. Mentors will find value in structured opportunities to give back and shape the next generation of lawyers.

There are varying levels of bar associations to consider. National bar associations often provide broader networking opportunities and resources while local bar associations offer more direct, community-focused engagement. State bar associations usually bridge these entities, offering a balance of broader scope and community involvement.

New to the bar? Here's what you should know and do:

• Ask your mentor or a colleague which bar association(s) they are active in and why
• Join!
• Attend at least one event per quarter to build recognition
• Join a Section or Committee within your first year — it's the fastest way to form meaningful connections!

How Mentors Can Leverage Bar Associations:

• Encourage mentees to join relevant sections/committees
• Make introductions at bar events
• Co-attend CLEs or networking events with a mentee
• Nominate mentees for awards or recognition
• Share insights about which associations align with mentees' career goals and practice interests
• Help mentees identify leadership opportunities

How Mentees Can Maximize Bar Membership:

• Don't just join — actively participate by joining sections/committees and contributing
• Attend events with your mentor when possible
• Volunteer to build visibility and make personal connections with staff and other attorneys
• Use bar association mentoring programs in addition to informal mentors

Benefits of Bar Association Membership

Joining a bar association is not simply about membership, it is about engagement. Here are some additional benefits to bar membership:

• Professional Development — Access CLEs, workshops and skills trainings. Many bar associations also offer formal mentoring programs or events that pair newer attorneys with seasoned practitioners.
• Network Building — Build relationships across practice areas and experience levels by engaging with sections/committees.
• Community Engagement — Engage with community members by supporting legal clinics, volunteering for events and drafting newsletter and article submissions.
• Leadership Opportunities — Serve on committees, boards or task forces. Mentees can gain leadership experience with mentor guidance; mentors can sponsor and train mentees for committee positions.
• Referrals — Explore ways to connect with lawyers across your geographic area.
• Job Opportunities — Bar associations often have job databases as a member benefit which helps with staying in the know about future opportunities.
• Practice Advancement — Gain access to resources such as free legal research, sample legal forms, law practice management recommendations, daily court updates and more

About TBA Membership

As a member of the Tennessee Bar Association, you have access to a wealth of benefits, ranging from legal publications to discounts on CLE. To learn more about any of these benefits, explore here or contact the TBA Membership Director. If you are not a member, you can join here.

Additional Bar Associations for Consideration

• American Bar Association
• Chattanooga Bar Association
• Knoxville Bar Association
• Nashville Bar Association
• Memphis Bar Association
• Rutherford and Cannon County Bar Association
• Williamson County Bar Association
• East Tennessee Lawyers’ Association for Women
• Hispanic National Bar Association
• Lawyer’s Association for Women Marion Griffin Chapter
• Middle Tennessee Lawyers’ Association for Women
• Napier Looby Bar Association
• Nashville Hispanic Bar Association
• National Bar Association
• National Asian Pacific American Bar Association
• National Association of Women Lawyers
• National Bar Association — Ben F. Jones Chapter
• Tennessee Alliance for Black Lawyers
• Tennessee Lawyers Association for Women
• Tennessee Stonewall Bar Association

Provided by TBA Mentoring Committee, November 2025