Shelby County lawyer Charles Edgar Waldman received a public censure today from the Board of Professional Responsibility. The board found that Waldman failed to timely file a motion for a new trial after sentencing of a criminal client. That resulted in the loss of jurisdiction over the case by the trial court and passing of the appeal deadline. Waldman thereafter failed to protect the client’s interests by failing to request permission to late-file the appeal and instead withdrew from further representation. His actions were determined to have violated Rule of Professional Conduct 1.16(d) and 8.4(a) and (d).

The Tennessee Faith & Justice Alliance is celebrating its third annual Pro Bono & Faith Days with training events in each grand division of the state this month. The programs are held to inform faith leaders and community partners of free legal resources and help in their areas. The next session will be Oct. 24 in Gallatin at the First Baptist Church Gallatin, 205 E. Main St. Get registered for this event here. Additional sessions will be held in Memphis on Oct. 29 and Chattanooga on Oct. 31. Learn more about these events or find a session in your area.

Public hearings on the proposed Medicaid block grant amendment drew large crowds in Memphis and Chattanooga this week, with many expressing concern and sometimes anger over the proposal. Out of dozens of speakers at the Memphis forum on Tuesday, not one spoke in favor of the amendment, reports the Daily Memphian. During the Chattanooga hearing on Wednesday, 35 of 36 spoke against the block grant system, the Knoxville News Sentinel reports. Gov. Bill Lee was not present at either of this week’s hearings. Public response was similar at additional hearings in Nashville, Knoxville and Jackson earlier this month. The deadline for the public to submit a comment on the proposal is Friday.

Memphis attorney Lenard Hackel died last weekend. He was 79. Born and raised in Memphis, Hackel earned his law degree from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law in 1967. After graduation, Hackel worked in civil rights for a social service organization. He then went into private practice with the firm, Nicholson, Hackel and Nicholson. Funeral services were held today at Baron Hirsch Cemetery.

A panel of judges on Wednesday rejected a request for the full 6th Circuit Court of Appeals to reconsider the state’s lawsuit against the federal government over a refugee resettlement program, the Tennessean reports. The lawsuit claims the federal government is forcing states to pay for costs related to refugee resettlement while violating the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The state petitioned to have the full court reconsider the suit's dismissal by a panel of appellate judges in July of this year. The court denied the request in a one-page order. Attorneys for the state say they now plan to petition the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Community Legal Center (CLC) will celebrate 25 years of service with a Silver Celebration next month. Guests will be treated to a seated dinner by Chef Kelly English’s Iris restaurant and music from The Mighty Souls Brass Band. The CLC is a non-profit organization that provides legal services to those with limited means. The Silver Celebration will take place on Nov. 19 at the Crosstown Concourse Theater in Memphis. Learn more about the event and get tickets.

The third annual Pro Bono & Faith Days, hosted by the Tennessee Faith & Justice Alliance, begins next week in Morristown. This is the first in a series of programs held to inform faith leaders and community partners of free legal resources and help in their areas. Get registered for this event that will be held on Oct. 21 from 1 to 3 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Church in Morristown, 2518 W. Andrew Johnson Hwy. Additional sessions will be held in each grand division this month. Learn more and find a session in your area.

Shelby County Criminal Court Judge Paula Skahan is expected to issue a ruling on Nov. 18 on whether to allow post-conviction DNA testing in the case of Sedley Alley, the Daily Memphian reports. Alley was executed in 2006 for the rape and murder of Marine Lance Corporal Suzanne Marie Collins in 1985, but DNA evidence pulled from the crime scene was never tested. Alley’s daughter, April Alley, renewed the push for DNA testing at a hearing in May. Her legal team, which includes Barry Scheck, co-founder of the Innocence Project, argued Monday that there are allegedly two other potential suspects in the murder case, making the need for DNA testing all the more important. If testing were to clear Alley of the crime, it would mark the first time that DNA testing has exonerated a person posthumously in the United States.

Shelby County lawyer Randy N. Songstad was censured today after the Tennessee Supreme Court found that he held over $350 in personal funds in his trust account, resulting in a commingling of funds. Several months later, Songstad deposited over $11,000 of earned fees into trust because he did not have an operating account, resulting in the further commingling of client funds and personal funds. These actions were determined to violate Rules of Professional Conduct 1.15 (safekeeping funds). 

Legal Aid of East Tennessee will celebrate pro bono volunteers at its annual “Forging Justice” event this Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. at Ironwood Studios. The event will feature live music, food and drink, and a silent auction. The agency also will recognize key volunteers. Tickets are available online.