Plan now to take part in the Tennessee Bar Association’s Day on the Hill on March 20. The event gives TBA members an opportunity to meet with their legislators and talk to them about issues important to the profession, including funding for indigent representation. Activities begin with a luncheon, followed by meetings with legislators in the afternoon and the annual Big Shrimp legislative reception that night. Sign up now to take part.

The American Bar Association (ABA) has asked the federal judiciary to stop using the term “court-appointed master," arguing that it has negative connotations and does not accurately describe the role of those who help guide litigation. The group proposed using the term “court-appointed neutral” instead. The judiciary’s Advisory Committee on Civil Rules may consider the change when it meets on April 9, Reuters reports.

Shelby County General Sessions Judge Deborah Means Henderson was honored by the Shelby County Commission at its meeting on Feb. 5, the Administrative Office of the Courts reports. A resolution, sponsored by Commissioner Erika Sugarmon, noted Henderson’s career accomplishments and her work with the unhoused, as well as her recent election as president of the Tennessee General Sessions Judges Conference. Henderson is now the first Black woman elected president of any state judicial conference. Her service on the court includes efforts to establish a pre-litigation eviction mediation program to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants.

The Tennessee Supreme Court yesterday directed Wesley Shelman Spears to inform the court why discipline imposed in the state of Connecticut should not also be imposed in Tennessee. The court noted that Spears was suspended from the practice of law for two years by the Connecticut Superior Court in September 2023. That court found that Spears engaged in conduct that was prejudicial to the administration of justice and involved dishonesty or misrepresentation.

The 2024 TBA Leadership Law class met yesterday for its “Issues in Policy & Politics” program in Nashville. Class members heard from a number of legislators and state leaders. TBA Executive Director Sheree Wright led a panel discussion about the legislative process and what lawyers bring to the table when serving as legislators. Lawmakers participating in that session included Sen. Sara Kyle, D-Memphis, House Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland, Rep. John Ray Clemmons, D-Nashville, and Rep. Johnny Garrett, R-Goodlettsville. Class members also heard from Anastasia Campbell, director of the Legislative Office of Legal Services, and Brandon Smith, chief of staff to Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti. See photos from the day.

On Jan. 26, the Tennessee Supreme Court temporarily suspended Alex Fletcher Thompson from the practice of law for failure to comply with an order from the court issued on Nov. 28, 2023. Thompson subsequently filed a petition for dissolution of the suspension and requested a hearing to challenge the Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program’s interpretation of the order’s requirements. The board recommended that the dissolution petition be rejected on the grounds that Thompson did not establish good cause for a hearing. The court disagreed, saying Thompson had provided sufficient cause and directed the BPR to conduct an immediate hearing.

The Napier-Looby Bar Foundation will hold its 17th Annual Barristers’ Banquet and Awards Program on Feb. 22 at 14 Tenn in Nashville. A reception, beginning at 6 p.m. CST, will honor the late Judge Richard Dinkins. The program and awards presentation will follow beginning at 7 p.m. CST. Tickets are available for purchase online. Questions about the event may be emailed to the group. The foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Napier-Looby Bar Association, the Nashville affiliate of the National Bar Association.

Shaundelle Brooks has officially announced her bid for the Tennessee House of Representatives. Brooks will run in the Aug. 1 primary to seek to represent District 60 in Old Hickory, where Democrat Darren Jernigan is not seeking reelection. In 2018, Brooks’ son Akilah DaSilva was killed during a shooting at a Waffle House, which left four people dead. Later, Brooks’ eldest son was shot in the head and seriously injured while leaving a music venue. Since then, she has become a passionate advocate for gun reform. “For five, six years I’ve been going up to the capitol, begging and pleading and trying to bring change,” she said, “And, it hasn’t happened. So I just decided that I have to be the change that I need to see.” WPLN has more on her campaign as well as two other first-time candidates who are running for the General Assembly.

Knoxville City Councilwoman Seema Singh has suspended her campaign in the Democratic primary for the Tennessee House seat currently held by Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville. Singh, who represents the city’s Third District and is in her second term, explained her decision saying, “… when Gloria announced her candidacy for U.S. Senate, I decided to run for House District 90 to protect this seat, in the name of the same principles for which Gloria stands. Now that Gloria has decided to run for both U.S. Senate and the District 90 seat, I know it is in everyone’s best interest for me to suspend my campaign.” Singh said she would seek the seat again if Johnson is elected to the U.S. Senate, Knox Focus reports.

The Chattanooga Chapter of the American Inns of Court has raised $21,437 for The Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC). The fundraising effort included the sale of auction items and individual donations, Chattanoogan.com reports. CAC Director of External Affairs Lisa Moore said the funding would be used to continue the center’s essential services to child sexual abuse victims and their families. More than 200 lawyers and judges belong to the local chapter of the Inns of Court, which aims to improve the skills, professionalism, ethics and civility of the bench and bar. This year’s president is Michael Alston, managing partner of Husch Blackwell's Chattanooga office.