In honor of Veterans Day, the Administrative Office of the Courts is highlighting the state’s Veterans Treatment Courts and the services they offer. Tennessee’s six Veterans Courts are located in in Blount, Davidson, Knox, Montgomery, Shelby and Williamson counties. Though each court operates differently, they share a common goal of treating and rehabilitating veterans and removing them from the criminal justice system. A crucial part of treatment are wrap-around service, which can include behavioral and substance abuse therapies as well as social services that focus on housing, job skills, and more. “It’s a powerful program. I haven’t seen anyone not improve with it,” said Ted Scalise, Williamson County Veterans Treatment Court Mentor Coordinator. 

The Davidson County District Attorney’s Office yesterday asked the county’s criminal court to vacate the convictions of Joyce Watkins and Charlie Dunn and exonerate them of child murder and rape, the Nashville Scene reports. The motion was filed based on an extensive report from the office’s Conviction Review Unit (CRU), which found that Watkins and Dunn were wrongfully convicted after being prosecuted on circumstantial evidence and since-discredited methods by disgraced medical examiners. The couple was convicted of first-degree murder and aggravated rape after Watkins’ four-year-old great-niece Brandi Jessie died of head trauma in their care. In the report’s conclusion, CRU director Sunny Eaton wrote, "When stripped of demonstrably unreliable testimony, facts misrepresented to the jury and Post-Conviction Court and faulty medical conclusions, even the minute circumstantial case against Ms. Watkins and Mr. Dunn is devoid.” The couple was given a life sentence in 1988. Dunn died in prison in 2015 while awaiting release on parole. Watkins was granted parole in October of that year after serving more than 27 years in prison.  

The Arts & Business Council's Volunteer Lawyers and Professionals for the Arts is joining the law firm of Bradley Arant Boult Cummings in providing free legal services for Black-owned small businesses and nonprofits at a clinic on Nov. 18. Issues to be covered include questions about business formation, corporate governance, contract review and navigating local ordinances and state regulations. Eligible businesses may receive up to one hour of assistance. Companies may sign up online. To volunteer, email vlpa@abcnashville.org.

The Williamson County Commission has approved a resolution to name a second floor room in Franklin’s historic courthouse after late Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Cornelia “Connie” Clark, the Tennessean reports. Clark was born in Franklin and lived her entire adult life there. She practiced law in Franklin prior to being appointed a circuit court judge and was also involved in several county nonprofit and civic organizations. "Justice Clark had a widely known reputation for honesty, integrity, impartiality and fairness," the resolution stated. "(She) was a role model to girls and women, as well as to boys and men in Williamson County, Tennessee, as well as across the State of Tennessee and the nation." Clark died in September at the age of 71.

Judge Robert Bateman has announced he will run on the Republican ticket to keep his seat on the 19th Judicial District’s Circuit Court, Division IV, Main Street Clarksville reports. Bateman was appointed to the position by Gov. Bill Lee in August, filling the vacancy created when Judge Jill Bartee Ayers joined the Court of Criminal Appeals. Prior to Bateman’s appointment, he practiced at Clarksville’s Bateman & Bateman where he handled numerous criminal and civil matters in General Sessions, Chancery and Circuit courts across the state. He also handled appeals in the Tennessee Supreme Court, Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals, the Tennessee Court of Appeals, and the United States Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit.

Join the TBA Construction Law Section for its 2022 virtual forum on Jan. 28 from 9 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. CST. The program will explore the unique aspects of the mechanics' and materialmen's lien law.There will also be an ethical discussion on several topics, including whether an attorney can "bluff" by serving a notice of nonpayment and/or notice of lien when certain prerequisites have not been satisfied. This half-day CLE program qualifies for three hours of general credit and one hour of dual credit. Register here.

The Administrative Office of the Courts is seeking a manager of mediation programs and process innovation. This position provides responsible professional legal work, assists in policy development and implementation and serves as a leader on the Access, Innovation, and Community Engagement Division at the AOC. The successful applicant must be licensed to practice law in Tennessee within one year of employment and must have one year of experience in program planning and development or judicial or public administration. To apply, submit an application for employment in PDF, a resume, writing sample and three professional references by email to human.resources@tncourts.gov.  The court system accepts only electronic applicant information saved in PDF format. The AOC has more on the opening.

The American Bar Association (ABA) will host a Veterans Day program tomorrow at 11 a.m. CST. “Judges in the Military: Perspectives on Careers, Family and Life After,” will feature four military judges who will discuss their paths to the bench, including the stresses of military life and the challenges of transitioning to civilian life. Judges include: Benes Z. Aldana, former chief trial judge of the U.S. Coast Guard; Kirsten Brunson, former circuit judge with the U.S. Army; Judge Michael Lewis of the U.S. Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals; and Linda Strite Murnane (moderator), former chief circuit judge for the U.S. Air Force. Register for the virtual program here.

The Tennessee Supreme Court today suspended Shelby County lawyer James Foster Schaeffer Jr. from the practice of law for one year, with 30 days served as active suspension and the remainder on probation subject to Schaeffer making restitution to his former client. The Board of Professional Responsibility (BPR) found that Schaeffer did not adequately communicate with his client regarding her contested divorce and the case was ultimately dismissed for failure to prosecute. In a second complaint, the BPR found that Schaeffer was not diligent in providing his client in a criminal case with a copy of the state’s discovery. Schaeffer must comply with requirements regarding the obligations and responsibilities of suspended attorneys and the procedure for reinstatement.

The Board of Judicial Conduct today issued a public reprimand for Hamilton County General Sessions Judge Gerald Webb. The board issued the reprimand because of social media posts made by Webb that “do not meet the standards of conduct expected of those privileged to hold judicial office.” The board says the reprimand was also issued because of two incidents in which Webb’s law license was suspended for failure to comply with continuing legal education requirements in 2019 and again in 2020.  The Chattanoogan has more on the story.