Davidson County Circuit Judge Joe Binkley Jr. on Wednesday denied a petition from former state Rep. Scotty Campbell, R-Mountain City, to view records relating to a sexual harassment complaint filed against him, which led to his resignation in April 2023. The Tennessean reports that the judge ruled that the records are not subject to disclosure under the Tennessee Public Records Act and that separation of powers prohibits the court from reviewing the Tennessee House of Representatives' internal rules unless a constitutional violation has been alleged. In February, Campbell sued the General Assembly's Office of Legislative Administration Director Connie Ridley, alleging that the office, which serves as the legislature's human resources department, withheld the records to cover up a complaint against House Republican Caucus Chair Jeremy Faison, R-Cosby. Faison has denied the allegations as well as the existence of any complaint filed against him.

The 2024 Corporate Counsel Pro Bono Initiative (CCPBI) Gala will be held April 20 in Nashville at the offices of Bass, Berry & Sims, located at the Pinnacle at Symphony Place. Individual tickets are available, and organizations are invited to support the initiative by becoming recognized sponsors. The gala will be a cocktail supper, with live music and a brief presentation, including awarding the inaugural Branham Grants. The CCPBI, a partnership between the TBA Access to Justice Committee, TBA Corporate Counsel Section and the Tennessee Chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel, established the grants in honor of long-time access to justice champion Andy Branham, who passed away in 2022. The Branham Grants support pro bono projects designed to provide civil legal resources and support for people with, affected by, or at risk for addiction in Tennessee as well as those in recovery. See photos from last year's event. 

TBA’s Legislative Updates podcast is out with a new episode featuring attorney and TBA lobbyist Berkley Schwarz and Adams and Reese attorneys and TBA lobbyists, Brad Lampley and Ashley Harbin. This week they discuss HB2710/SB2254, the TBA's conservatorship bill; HB2645, the adoption birth certificate bill; and HB2644, the adoption clean-up bill. They also discuss the TBA's testimony on Tuesday to the Senate Judiciary Committee. After testimony from TBA's Executive Director Sheree Wright and Williamson County attorney David Grimmett, the committee approved a motion in support of adding $26.145 million to the governor's budget for the purpose of increasing indigent representation funding. Legislative Updates airs each week on the TBA’s Facebook page. It is also released as a podcast on the same day and can be found on the TBA’s website or wherever you listen to podcasts.

In a new episode of the American Bar Association's (ABA) Business Law podcast "Path to the Bench," Davidson County Chancellor Anne Martin speaks about her journey, finding fulfillment in the law and the role of a judge. She also discusses the importance of mentorship and paying it forward in one’s career.

"An Overview of the Corporate Transparency Act: New Reporting Requirements That All Lawyers Must Know" is now available to watch on demand. This one hour CLE credit program, presented by Vincent Schilleci III of Maynard Nexsen, provides an overview of the federal law, which went into effect Jan. 1, including basics, analysis and application.

TBA's Local Government Practice Section will host its annual forum virtually on May 23. Topics are expected to include parliamentary procedure updates, public records and contracts. Registration will open soon, so keep an eye on the course webpage as more information is announced!

The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC), as well as all courts and state offices, will be closed March 29 in observance of the Good Friday holiday. Many city and county offices across the state also are closed.

The Tennessee Innocence Project will host an event on April 18 in Chattanooga highlighting the work of the organization. Roger Dickson with Miller & Martin and Andrea Hayduk with the Hamilton County Public Defender’s Office will discuss the mission of the Tennessee Innocence Project and attendees will hear from exoneree Joyce Watkins, who spent 27 years in prison for a crime she did not commit. Wine, beer and light hors d’oeuvres will be served. View the invitation and RSVP here.

The Judicial Conference of the United States has authorized the appointment of a full-time U.S. magistrate judge for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Chattanooga. The district court is now accepting applications for the position, which will serve a term of eight years. Application forms are available on the court’s website or may be obtained from the court clerk’s office. Applications must be saved as a pdf and emailed to Human_Resources@tned.uscourts.gov no later than 5 p.m. EDT on April 5. For more information contact Merit Selection Panel Chair Zac Greene with Miller & Martin. Read more in the court’s announcement.

Williamson County lawyer Melanie Valunas Dillender has been reinstated to the practice of law. Dillender had been on inactive status since Jan. 3, 2007. The Board of Professional Responsibility reviewed the reinstatement petition and reported to the Tennessee Supreme Court that it was satisfactory. The court issued the reinstatement order today and made the action retroactive to March 22.