KBA News

ADM2019-01685- The state Supreme Court issued an order soliciting comments to proposed amendments to Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Sections 8, 12 and 30. The changes include prohibiting individuals disbarred on or after July 1, 2020, from being reinstated. The deadline for submitting written comments is Dec. 17.

Sevierville attorney Cynthia Richardson Wyrick was named a federal magistrate judge on September 17, 2019. The appointment was announced by Chief Judge Pamela L. Reeves of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee. Wyrick will fill a vacancy created when former magistrate judge Clifton L. Corker was appointed as U.S. district judge on July 26. The position serves the court’s Northeastern Division, which is based in the federal courthouse in Greeneville. Reeves will administer the oath of office to Wyrick in an informal ceremony at the Greeneville courthouse on Sept. 30. A formal investiture will be scheduled for a later date. Magistrate judges are appointed by the district judges to eight-year terms and are eligible for reappointment. Wyrick currently works for the law firm of Ogle, Wyrick & Associates.

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ADM2019-01537- The Tennessee Supreme Court is considering amending Rule 12, Sections 1 and 2 of the Rules of the Tennessee Supreme Court and the First-Degree Murder Report which is appended to Rule 12. The court is seeking written comments on the proposals from judges, lawyers, interested organizations and the public. Written comments are due by Oct. 2 and may be e-mailed toappellatecourtclerk@tncourts.gov or mailed to James M. Hivner, Clerk, Re: Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 12, 100 Supreme Court Building, 401 Seventh Ave. N., Nashville, TN 37219-1407.

If you think you need a lawyer, chances are, you do.  But what if you are really not sure?  What if you don’t know what questions you should ask?

The Knoxville Bar Association developed LawLine Online to assist clients in determining if they have a legal matter or if another entity would be better suited to offer assistance. With the help of the local courts, governmental and community service organizations and more than thirty-five members of the Knoxville Bar Association, LawLine Online became a reality in June, 1999.

More than 70 topics, grouped in 16 major categories, aid in understanding common legal problems, recognizing potential legal problems and understanding how the justice system works.  Additionally, there is information on where to go if further help is needed.  The messages are written in a straightforward, easy-to-understand manner using everyday language.

The LawLine material is reviewed for accuracy by attorney volunteers on a regular basis or as needed when changes occur to Tennessee law.  While not intended to replace the advice of an attorney or provide specific legal advice, LawLine Online can nevertheless provide general information and assist those who aren’t sure where to go for help, or even what kind of help they may need.

The Knoxville Bar Association is a non-profit corporation organized to work for the improvement and increased effectiveness of the legal profession and the administration of justice. The Association, which has 1,854 members, offers continuing legal education and service to the community through programs such as the Lawyer Referral & Information Service, Legal Advice Clinics and LawLine OnLine. Additional public service information may be found at the Association's website at www.knoxbar.org.

ADM2019-01434- The Tennessee Supreme Court is considering amending Rule 25, which concerns the manners in which the Tennessee Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection (TLFCP) board members are allowed to officially communicate. The court seeks public comment on the proposed changes, which should be submitted by Sept. 16. Comments may be submitted to James M. Hivner, Clerk, Re: Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 25, section 5.03, Tennessee Appellate Courts,100 Supreme Court Building, 401 7th Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37219-1407, or email to appellatecourtclerk@tncourts.gov.

The Supreme Court’s Attorneys for Justice program recognizes attorneys and law students who have done 50 or more hours of pro bono work in a calendar year. Attorneys can apply to be recognized when they renew their license with the BPR or they can apply using the attorney application. Law offices can also be recognized if the attorneys in the office do an average of 50 or more hours of pro bono work per attorney.  The recognition recipients receive is a certificate signed by all of the Justices and an electronic version of the Attorneys for Justice seal which they can use on their websites, letterhead, and marketing materials. 

Local attorneys will be recognized during the KBA Annual Supreme Court Dinner on September 4, 2019.  

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ADM2019-01444 – The Advisory Commission on the Rules of Practice & Procedure annually presents recommendations to the Court to amend the Tennessee Rules of Appellate, Civil, Criminal, and Juvenile Procedure, and the Tennessee Rules of Evidence. With its meeting on July 19, 2019, the Advisory Commission completed its 2018-2019 term, and the Commission thereafter transmitted its recommendations to the Court. The Court solicits written comments from the bench, the bar, and the public concerning the Advisory Commission’s recommended amendments set out in Appendix I (proposed amendments to the Rules of Civil Procedure) to this order. The deadline for submitting written comments is December 13, 2019. Written comments may either be submitted by email to appellatecourtclerk@tncourts.gov or by mail addressed to: James Hivner, Clerk, Re: 2020 Rules Package, 100 Supreme Court Building, 401 7th Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37219-1407.

The Knoxville Bar Association thanks all of our Veterans for their service and dedication to our country. Click here to view the current list of KBA Veterans. If your name is not on the flyer and you would like to be added, please contact Jonathan Guess, Membership Coordinator | Database Administrator, by October 7th. An insert is planned in the November DICTA.

Have you ever wondered how your practice compares to other law firms in East Tennessee? The KBA Membership Service Committee has worked for almost two years adapting the Economics & Law Office Management Survey which has been offered by the Florida State Bar for more than fifteen years. The survey has two primary objectives: (1) To provide timely, relevant and accurate information to inform and guide practical management and planning decisions by local attorneys, including private and non-private practitioners including the judiciary and government workers, and (2) To monitor key trends within the legal profession. This is the first time the KBA has ever attempted to collect specifics on lawyer salaries, rates for billable hours and benefits information and to ensure confidentiality, the KBA has contracted with the ABA Division of Bar Services to conduct the survey in a manner that completely protects the privacy of each respondent, even from the KBA.

What to expect
On August 19^th, every KBA member will receive an email from Joanne O’Reilly at the ABA Division of Bar Services (joanne.oreilly@americanbar.org that contains a link to the survey. The survey should take about 15 minutes to complete but if you need to leave in the middle, you can return to it as needed until you are finished. The response deadline is September 13.

The KBA will offer a $500 AmEx gift card to one lucky participant. The winner will be selected by the staff of the ABA Division of Bar Services.

We need every member to participate in order for the survey results to be meaningful to the KBA and to guide practical planning and management decisions by local attorneys.