Elder Law Basics 2022 will be presented virtually on Friday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Designed for attorneys new to the practice or those looking to brush up on their knowledge, this program will provide an overview of the intangibles of Elder Law. Topics will include powers of attorney, estate recovery, reverse mortgages, how clients can find and afford health care in retirement, ethics and more. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from seasoned practitioners providing the information you need to stay on top of developments and changes in the field. Register here.

When Joycelyn Stevenson saw a posting for executive director of the Tennessee Bar Association in 2017, she set it aside and went back to work. “I felt like, I’m not going to get that job. That’s a job that somebody else is already in line for,” she said. Flash forward to today, Stevenson has successfully headed up the bar association for more than five years and is now leaving the TBA to return to private practice. In a new episode of the TBA’s Sidebar podcast, Stevenson engages in an honest discussion on lessons learned from the TBA, thoughts on her leadership style, overcoming self-doubt, advice for fellow leaders and more. “That’s the big leadership advice from me: everybody’s role is important and bring people along with you.” Sidebar is part of the TBA Podcast Network and can be found on the TBA’s website or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Two advocacy groups are asking Gov. Bill Lee to appoint a special investigator to look at possible “failings” by law enforcement and state prison officials leading up to the kidnapping and murder of Eliza Fletcher in Memphis. In the letter, the People for the Enforcement of Rape Laws (PERL), and Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM) question the culpability of the Memphis Police Department and the Tennessee Department of Corrections. It specifically cites a 2021 rape kit that could have led to the arrest of Cleotha Henderson, who is now charged in Fletcher’s death. The kit was left untested for nearly one year. "We think an investigation into this grave lapse must take place if state leaders truly want to prevent future tragedies,” the letter states. Read more from the Commercial Appeal.

The Raphah Institute has withdrawn from splitting a $1.5 million grant with Gideon’s Army to work on violence interruption in North Nashville, WPLN reports. Nashville Mayor Jon Cooper’s Community Safety Partnership Fund Board last month recommended the two groups split the funding despite having different approaches. Gideon’s Army relies on people on the street who work to stop violence, while the Raphah Institute runs a diversion program with the juvenile court. A letter from Raphah founder Travis Claybrooks cited the institute’s expansion of its restorative justice work into adult court and helping Memphis launch a similar program as two reasons it could not take on the pilot.

Memphis lawyer and retired naval officer Captain James “Jim” P. Googe, Jr. died on Aug. 3. Googe was a 1957 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and later left the Navy to attend the University of Georgia Law School. He practiced for two years in Savannah before returning to the Navy as a judge advocate, serving as military judge and deputy director of law centers in Jacksonville, Florida, and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He later served as staff judge advocate to the Commander, Cruiser Destroyer Force Pacific, as chief counsel to the Naval Inspector General in D.C. and as Commanding Officer, Naval Legal Service Office, Memphis. Among his decorations are the Legion of Merit and two Meritorious Service Medals. He retired from the Navy and later returned to Memphis in 1985 to join First Tennessee Bank as senior vice president, where he served for 31 years. Memorials may be directed to Emmanuel United Methodist Church or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Kingsport attorney John Bingham died on Oct. 16. He was 70. Bingham earned his law degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law and began his legal career as an associate with Frank Slaughter’s law firm in Bristol. Bingham served four years as an assistant district attorney in Sullivan County before joining Hawkins, Moody, Bingham & Miller in 1994. He spent his last 28 years with the firm, focusing his practice on accident, personal injury, and medical malpractice cases. Donations in Bingham’s memory can be made to Humphreys County Center for Higher Education, 695 Holly Lane, Waverly, TN 37185.

The TBA’s annual Tennessee Court of Appeals Boot Camp took place yesterday in Nashville. The boot camp allowed attendees to observe oral arguments in real cases being presented to the court, followed by analysis and discussion on preparation, tips and considerations for deciding to seek review in the Court of Appeals. Court of Appeals Judges Andy Bennett, Frank Clement Jr., Neal McBrayer and Jeffrey Usman participated in the panel and engaged with attendees.

The TBA yesterday made a trip to Clarksville during its 2022 Court Square Series. Event attendees participated in a networking session with TBA President-elect Jim Barry, heard a Legislative Update from the TBA’s Berkley Schwarz and listened to Clarksville attorney Ray Runyon discuss surviving spousal rights. The event wrapped up with a judicial panel featuring Chancellor Ben Dean and Judges Kathryn Wall Olita, Reid Poland and Joel Wallace. The next stop in the Court Square Series will be in Savannah on Nov. 16.

Memphis Area Legal Services is looking to hire two staff attorneys who will provide high quality legal services to survivors of domestic violence. The staff attorneys will provide a full range of legal services to clients, including advice, negotiations, representation in state and federal court, and administrative advocacy. Litigation experience is preferred and demonstrated interest in assisting low-income people and conducting aggressive advocacy is required. For more information about the role and instructions on how to apply, visit the TBA’s JobLink site.

The TBA Construction Law Section will host a three-hour program on construction law basics in Memphis next month. The program will cover the prompt pay act, contractor licensing, lien law, and construction contracts. The event will kick off on Dec. 2 with registration and a light breakfast at 8:30 a.m. CST at Glankler Brown in Memphis. Get more information and register for the program here.