James A. Rose

You have a child who is involved in athletics and/or fine arts at his or her school. The program relies on community support to thrive and even to survive from a financial standpoint. So you round up fellow parents, alumni, and community activists. But you would prefer to have control over how funds are disbursed and spent. How can you make it happen? One of the rewarding parts of being an attorney is volunteering time for worthy causes. My fellow Cheatham County Central HS alum and "Country Comic" comedienne Chonda Pierce presented me with an opportunity in this year of 2018 when she cast her vision to expand on her generosity for the drama program with a foundation that would involve an alumni board of directors and continue the legacy begun by "Drama Mama" instructor emerita Joyce Mayo. Enter a series of Tennessee statutes known formally as the School Support Organization Financial Accountability Act (the "Act"). In short, the Tennessee General...

If you've been on Lower Broadway in Nashville recently (or even if you've been simply listening to radio ads associated with new honky tonk venues), you've likely noticed your share of country music celebrities who have opened up new restaurant and bar venues: Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Blake Shelton, Dierks Bentley, and John Rich are among those who have staked out territory in a thriving "It" city tourist mecca.  And if you're in the restaurant entertainment business, you may be considering your current brand or a total rebranding as a trademark. But what if your restaurant has a name that is similar to one of the brews on tap at the bar?  And what if you just happen not to have ownership rights in the name of the beer? Good news: You are not out of luck in terms of a federal trademark or service mark application.  In fact, just because another registered mark is exactly like yours doesn't mean that you should go looking for a...