Due to the winter storm and threat of hazardous travel conditions, Gov. Bill Lee closed state offices in the West and Middle Grand Divisions today. The announcement noted that state services offered online remain available and state employees able to work from home were encouraged to do so. A number of courts across the state also were closed.

The Tennessee Supreme Court transferred the law license of Shelby County lawyer Gilbert Henry Jacobson to active status on Feb. 18. Jacobson was placed on disability inactive status more than five ago on June 18, 2019.

In this interlocutory appeal, the employer contends the trial court erred when it found that the employee would likely prevail at trial in his request for medical benefits resulting from a welding accident. The employer had denied the claim, asserting willful misconduct and failure to wear a safety device as defenses, but the trial court concluded the employer had not presented sufficient evidence of these affirmative defenses to support a conclusion that the employee was unlikely to prevail at trial. Employer has appealed. After careful consideration of the record and of arguments of counsel, we affirm the trial court’s order and remand the case.

William Russell "Bill" Rice died recently at age 86. After graduating from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Rice began working at the University of Tennessee (UT) Hospital in Knoxville as a billing agent. He later attended UT College of Law, continuing to work full time at the hospital. Rice earned his law degree in 1976. He joked that his record as a trial lawyer was one and zero, after successfully representing one client in one courtroom trial. Throughout his career, Rice served in a number of leadership roles, including as CEO of the UT Hospital, where he oversaw the development of new medical facilities. He later became chancellor of the UT Health Science Center in Memphis before retiring.

The 2nd Annual TBA Young Lawyers Division Trial College will take place on May 9, at Belmont University College of Law in Nashville. The event, running from 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. CDT, will cover essential litigation topics, including trial preparation, crafting opening and closing statements, conducting direct and cross-examinations and working with expert witnesses. A panel of distinguished judges will provide judicial insights for trial success. For more details and to register, visit the TBA’s website.

Judge Robert Ernest Cupp Jr. died Feb. 4 at age 86. Cupp earned his law degree from the Tennessee College of Law in 1971. He worked in private practice, served as assistant district attorney general, director of Legal Services of Upper East Tennessee and assistant district attorney general in the First Judicial District. In 1998, he was elected criminal court judge for the district, a position he held for 16 years. Memorial gifts may be made to Grace Fellowship Church, 2314 S. Greenwood Dr., Johnson City, TN 37604; Shriners Hospital, 2900 N. Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607; or a charity of the donor's choice. Memories and condolences may be shared at Tetrick Funeral Services.

New research shows most legal professionals are satisfied in their current roles and fewer are planning to change careers in 2025. The latest Job Optimism report, which surveyed more than 2,000 U.S. professionals from various industries, found that 74% of legal professionals reported being happy in their current roles; 73% cited competitive pay, 70% cited a strong workplace culture, and 65% cited fair workloads and job expectations as key factors. The report also found that only 25% of legal professionals plan to seek a new job in the next six months, a significant decrease from 40% a year ago. The Smart Lawyer has more on the findings.

Knox County recently renewed and expanded its contract with the U.S. Marshals Service to double the number of immigration detainees it can house. The contract, according to Knox News, increases the number of detainees Knox County will hold for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from 50 to 103. The agreement works in tandem with the county's voluntary contract with ICE, which deputizes local law enforcement to detain undocumented residents or asylum seekers. Since November, the number of ICE detainees in the county jail has surged, more than doubling the previous high with 90% of the detainees coming from outside Knox County. According to the paper, arrests of local individuals are within the same range as previous months.

Bradley has announced the launch of its new Defense & National Security team, which will be led by partner Jack Harrington, a former assistant U.S. attorney. He works out of the firm's offices in Birmingham and Washington, D.C. The team is designed to assist businesses in the defense and technology sectors navigate heightened legal risks, compliance challenges and growth opportunities, according to a press release. Harrington, along with attorneys experienced in military, government and intelligence sectors, will provide guidance on national security risks, cross-border investment, export controls, cybersecurity, government contracting and compliance with international sanctions. The team also will collaborate with several other practice groups, including Cybersecurity & Privacy, Government Contracts and Financial Crimes & Economic Sanctions.

The Tennessee court system is facing a crisis in providing legal representation to indigent individuals who are constitutionally and statutorily entitled to legal counsel. The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) on behalf of the Tennessee Supreme Court has proposed a plan to help address the emergency and provide long-term stability through the development of a new structure for handling criminal conflicts and civil appointments for indigent clients. Specifically, the plan establishes an “Office of Indigent Conflicts and Civil Counsel,” with oversight by an “Indigent Representation Commission.” The plan highlights the anticipated outcomes, including an increase in the number of attorneys willing to accept appointments via the strategic use of retainers, flat fee and other types of contractual arrangements, and enhancing the quality of representation by providing training and mentorship for attorneys. The plan is structured to facilitate the work of the AOC, the courts, the district public defenders, the district attorneys general, and the private attorneys accepting appointments to be more efficient and effective as the need for indigent legal representation continues to grow. It also engages stakeholders in ongoing collaborations to improve function and accountability and prevent misuse of the system. The TBA has been working alongside the AOC to address this crisis and has key points for attorneys regarding the plan.