The TBA’s Immigration Law Fall Forum set for Nov. 22 includes some of the most relevant topics in today’s ever changing immigration landscape. Presented by experienced leaders and judges in the field, this program will focus on how to get information from the government, how to litigate in immigration court, and how to litigate immigration issues in federal court. Earn up to three hours of general CLE credit.

The Tennessee District Attorney General Conference recently awarded Lana Frogge its prestigious Tony Clark Award, the Claiborne Progress reports. The award was established in memory of the late District Attorney General Tony Clark and is given annually to a non-prosecutor who exhibits the highest character and exceptional compassion, caring and dedication to crime victims. In selecting Frogge, the conference said that as the victim witness coordinator for the 6th Judicial District she has assisted crime victims for 25 years and has helped them obtain nearly $2.5 million in criminal injuries compensation.

The Supreme Court of Tennessee today suspended Knox County lawyer Wendell Kyle Hall for two years, with 60 days on active suspension and the remainder on probation. The court held that Hall deposited funds from a settlement into his trust account, converted those funds to pay for personal expenses and failed to promptly notify a third party that he had received the funds. In a separate case, the court found Hall failed to serve a defendant, failed to properly dismiss the case, refiled the case improperly and did not consult with his client regarding a motion to dismiss. Hall filed a notice of appeal without advising his client, failed to comply with appellate procedures or respond to a show cause order and caused the appeal to be dismissed. Finally, the court found Hall failed to inform his clients that their lawsuit had been dismissed in the trial court and on appeal. 

Sheriff Daron Hall announced today that Davidson County will no longer house Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainees, the Tennessean reports. Negotiations are currently underway to remove ICE from a 1996 council-approved contract with the U.S. Marshal Service in which Metro government received revenue for housing various federal detainees. A renewed contract will continue to allow the county to house individuals who are in Marshal Service custody. The move goes into effect on Dec. 1.

Nominations for two awards recognizing outstanding lawyers in the Memphis Bar Association are due on Nov. 1. The Sam A. Myar, Jr. Memorial Award is presented to an MBA member who is 40 years of age or younger and has rendered outstanding personal service to the local legal profession and community. The Judge Jerome Turner Lawyer’s Lawyer Award is given to an MBA member who has practiced for at least 15 years and exemplifies the aims and aspirations embodied in the Guidelines for Professional Courtesy and Conduct.

Construction to repurpose the former State Supreme Court Building in downtown Knoxville will begin next month, the Knoxville News Sentinel reports. The renovation is part of a $76 million project to transform the city block bounded by Locust Street, Cumberland Avenue, West Church Avenue and Henley Street. The old Supreme Court building, its attached office tower and its parking lot will be made into a short-term rental hub and a mixed-use apartment community. Official groundbreaking took place Monday with site completion expected in the fall of 2021.

Weeks before it was set to take effect, a near-total ban on abortions in Alabama has been blocked by a federal judge, the New York Times reports. Judge Myron H. Thompson of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama issued an injunction against the law that would have banned abortions at every stage, with an exception for cases where the mother’s life is at risk, and criminalized the procedure for doctors. No exceptions were made for instances of rape or incest. Alabama’s attorney general said the injunction was “not unexpected” and made clear the state still plans to advance the case to the Supreme Court and submit evidence that landmark abortion cases Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey were wrongly decided.

The third annual Faith & Pro Bono Days, hosted by the Tennessee Faith & Justice Alliance, will wind down on Thursday with a final event in Chattanooga. This year's program partners with National Interfaith Alliance Against Domestic and Sexual Violence and Tennessee Senior Law Alliance for special resource presentations on community legal care for those experiencing abuse and domestic violence. Chattanooga is hosting the fourth program of the Pro Bono & Faith Days series, which featured additional programs in each grand division earlier this month. Learn more about the program and register here.

Gov. Bill Lee has appointed Eric Lutton as the interim public defender for Knox County, effective Nov. 1. He fills the vacancy made by outgoing public defender Mark Stephens, who announced in August he was resigning at the end of this month. Lutton will hold the interim position until a special election is held in 2020 to determine who will fill the remaining term. Lutton will be sworn in at 9 a.m. on Nov. 1 by the Hon. Steven Sword in Criminal Court Division 1.

A memorial service was held over the weekend for Lebanon attorney Comer Lewis Donnell, who died Oct. 24 at 79. Donnell earned his law degree from Vanderbilt University Law School, afterwards serving as city attorney for Lebanon and Watertown, Wilson County attorney, and director of petroleum taxes for the state. In 1989, Donnell was appointed, and later elected, public defender in the 15th Judicial District where he worked until his retirement in 2018. Memorial donations may be made to College Hills Church of Christ, 1401 Leeville Pike, Lebanon 37090; Lebanon Gideon Camp, P.O. Box 591, Lebanon 37088; or the Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 530 Church St., Ste. 300, Nashville 37219.