Shelby County lawyer Mary Kathryn Kent was suspended from the practice law on July 15 after the Tennessee Supreme Court found that she failed to respond to the Board of Professional Responsibility about a misconduct complaint. She immediately is precluded from accepting any new cases and must cease representing existing clients by Aug. 14.

The TBA will host two upcoming webcast replays to help attorneys boost productivity and improve their practices. On July 21, “7 Time Management Things Attorneys Should Do, But Don’t,” featuring time management expert Paul Unger, will offer practical strategies to help lawyers tackle chaotic schedules and become more efficient. On July 22, “8 Things Killing Your Law Firm and How to Stop Them” will guide lawyers through the process of identifying and eliminating the most common sources of waste in their practices to deliver more value to clients. Both sessions will run from noon to 1 p.m. CDT. Can't make this time? The courses also are available on demand.

The Trial Court Vacancy Commission recently met in Memphis to consider candidates for a circuit court and criminal court vacancy in the 30th Judicial District. After conducting public interviews and a hearing, the commission selected three nominees for the circuit court to forward to Gov. Bill Lee for consideration. They are William Christopher Frulla, C. Scott Jones and Mitzi H. Pollard. Learn more about the candidates by reviewing their applications on the Administrative Office of the Court's website. For the criminal court vacancy, the commission reports that though four candidates originally applied for the position, one applicant withdrew before the hearing. After a public hearing, the commission did not vote to send all three applicants to the governor, thus in accordance with state law, the governor may fill the vacancy with any qualified individual.

The 2025 Elder Law Forum will be held next Friday at Belmont University College of Law’s Randall & Sadie Baskin Center in Nashville. This annual event brings together attorneys and elder care professionals from across Tennessee to explore key topics including undue influence, Medicaid/TennCare, VA benefits and ethics. Lunch and free parking is included. The forum offers a valuable opportunity for learning and networking within the elder law community. For more information and to register, visit the TBA website.

Davidson County lawyer Mitchell Ray Miller received a public censure from the Tennessee Supreme Court on July 14. The court found that Miller violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3 and 1.4 when he failed to respond to four communications from a client over the course of a month. The client had paid a fee of $2,996.50 to hire Miller to probate an estate. The client met with Miller, but Miller never filed the petition to probate the estate. The client ultimately hired new counsel. In addition to imposing the censure, the court directed Miller to make restitution to the client in the amount of $2,996.50.

California lawyer Dale Gerard Nowicki was reinstated to the practice of law in Tennessee on July 14. He had been suspended by the Tennessee Supreme Court for two years with 90 days to be served on active suspension — retroactive to Jan. 6, the date of suspension in California — and the remainder on probation. Nowicki filed a petition for reinstatement on June 6. The Board of Professional Responsibility reported that the petition for reinstatement was satisfactory. The reinstatement is conditioned on Nowicki’s continuing compliance with, and timely satisfaction of, conditions set forth by the Supreme Court of California.

Florida lawyer Jessica Rose Sievert was reinstated to the practice of law in Tennessee on July 7 after being on inactive status since May 20, 2015. The Board of Professional Responsibility reported that the petition for reinstatement was satisfactory and the Tennessee Supreme Court adopted the order on July 10.

State Rep. Vincent Dixie, D-Nashville, has entered the race to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Mark Green, Axios reports. Dixie has served in the state legislature for eight years representing portions of north and northwest Davidson County. He joins fellow Democratic state Reps. Aftyn Behn and Bo Mitchell, who also have announced bids. Also in news this week, Green endorsed former Tennessee General Services Commissioner Matt Van Epps, who is running in a crowded Republican primary that still is growing. Mason Foley, who works for Main Street Health, has joined the field, according to Tennessee Lookout.

Memphis City Council member and attorney Jerri Green has announced her candidacy for Tennessee governor, the Commercial Appeal reports. Green currently is serving her first term on the council and works as deputy chief of staff for Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris. According to the paper, Green will run as a Democrat with a platform to prioritize working families, affordable health care and women's rights. Before joining the mayor’s office as legal counsel, Green worked as a public defender. Green joins U.S. Rep. John Rose, R-Cookeville, who announced his candidacy for the office in March.

Nashville is appealing a Tennessee Court of Appeals decision that upheld a 2023 state law cutting its city council in half to the Tennessee Supreme Court, WPLN reports. The ruling from a three-judge panel of the appeals court overturned a lower court ruling that the law was unconstitutional under the state's Home Rule amendment, which prohibits legislation that specifically targets one local government. If the law ultimately is upheld, the council would be reduced from 40 to 20 members for the 2027 election.