A former Memphis Police Department officer is serving a six-month federal prison sentence for stealing $18,500 from CrimeStoppers and will have to pay $22,400 in restitution. Arica Hutchison pleaded guilty to defrauding the United States in June and was sentenced earlier this month. According to the Daily Memphian, Hutchison entered fraudulent data into the CrimeStoppers database while an associate posed as a tipster to receive the the reward. Hutchison accessed databases and provided her associate with tip numbers and suspect information about tips. Disciplinary records show she admitted to federal investigators in February that she illegally obtained CrimeStoppers funds. Hutchison joined MPD in 2007 and CrimeStoppers in 2018. “As far as we’re concerned, (in) 44 years, it’s never happened before,” David Wayne Brown, CrimeStoppers executive director, said. "I consider it an anomaly.”

Donald J. Polden, former University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law dean died Oct. 15 at the age of 76. Polden served as dean of the law school from 1993 to 2003. According to the school, he increased the diversity of the student body, raised the national profile of the faculty, and secured significant private support for the law school during his tenure. He also oversaw the law school's move to its downtown Memphis building and its admission to the Association of American Law Schools. Polden received his law degree from the University of Indiana. In a press release, the school says he was known for his commitment to diversity and access to legal education. Polden also served on numerous state and national commissions and committees, including those dedicated to improving racial and ethnic diversity in state courts, strengthening clinical legal education and improving the health of law students.

The TBA's Law Office Technology & Management Section is presenting the latest installment of its law tech webcast series on Nov. 19 from 1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. CST.  In "Our Era of AI: Responsible AI & Microsoft Copilot," attorneys will hear how Microsoft embraces Responsible AI in its development of AI solutions and how the Microsoft legal department uses the Microsoft Copilot AI solution to achieve more. For more information or to register visit the TBA’s website.

Affinity Insight is the “easy” button you’ve been waiting for. The Affinity Insight Standard Plan gives your team 24/7 access to in-depth, self-guided legal tech training. Offering over 150 hours of content covering more than 30 different software products, the on-demand training platform provides the kind of practical, real-world training staff need to grow and thrive. As an administrator, you can assign courses, manage users and generate progress reports quickly and easily. Learn more about these services in the Firm Training Section of the TBA’s Law Firm in a Box.

The Knoxville Bar Association and the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, in partnership with Legal Aid of East Tennessee (LAET), will hold a Debt Relief Clinic on Nov. 9 to provide pro bono legal services to income-eligible consumer debtors in Knox, Blount, Loudon and Sevier counties. The clinic will begin at 8:45 a.m. EDT at the Knox County Public Defender's Community Law Office, 1101 Liberty St., Knoxville 37919. Judge Suzanne Bauknight will present a short overview of the bankruptcy system and then volunteer lawyers will conduct initial meetings with the clients to discuss their situations and options. Those interested in helping should register online. Clients seeking advice should register by Nov. 1 by calling 865-637-0484.

Cleveland resident Chad Hedgcock has pleaded guilty to two of four misdemeanor counts he was charged with in May, Chattanooga Times Free Press reports. Hedgcock was originally charged with entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, and parading, picketing or demonstrating in a Capitol building. In the plea agreement, he pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct in a Capitol building and parading, picketing or demonstrating in a Capitol building. A number of Tennesseans have been charged with crimes stemming from the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Attorneys for the city of Memphis say they require cell phone records from Tyre Nichols' parents, friends and telephone companies to prepare a defense in a civil lawsuit from Nichols' mother RowVaughn Wells. She is seeking $550 million in damages for the death of her son following his interactions with local police. The amount, according to Wells, is based on Nichols' life aspirations, potential earnings and health. The city says it needs to be able to corroborate that depiction of Nichols. The request for records came in a court filing that also argued the case could "essentially bankrupt" the city. Wells is challenging subpoenas for the records, arguing the move is an invasion of privacy and harassment. The Commercial Appeal reports on the issue.

LBMC, an accounting and business consulting firm, recently announced it has expanded its practice areas to include family law support services. The service will be led by new shareholders Cheryl Panther and Scott Womack and will provide expertise and specialized support for litigated divorce and family law matters, as well as collaborative and mediation processes. Prior to joining LBMC, Panther founded Panther Financial Planning and Panther Financial Divorce Solutions. She is also a Rule 31 mediator. Womack previously served as senior vice president at Mercer Capital. He works closely with family law attorneys in divorce matters including valuation of assets, forensic accounting and expert testimony. Read more in a release from the company.

The Memphis Bar Association (MBA) will hold its 2024 Annual Meeting on Dec. 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. CST. The event will take place at Bridges USA, 477 N. 5th St., Memphis 38105. Watch for more details as they become available.

West Tennessee Legal Services (WTLS) has added Memphis native Claudia Williams Hyman as its newest pro bono staff attorney in Memphis. Hyman will oversee the case assessment and placement process, working closely with pro bono volunteers to ensure high-quality legal representation. She also will lead the development of pro bono clinics, train staff and volunteers, and play a critical role in coordinating pro bono services for families in Shelby, Tipton, Fayette and Lauderdale counties. Additionally, she will engage in statewide pro bono initiatives and strengthen relationships with private bar attorneys to expand volunteer participation. WTLS began serving clients in Shelby and surrounding counties in July.