Retired Wilson County Criminal Court Judge David Earl Durham died on Oct. 8. He was 66. A graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Law, Durham began his legal career in 1981 as a private practice attorney. He later joined the office of District Attorney General Tom Price as an assistant district attorney from 1986 to 2009. Durham served on the bench as 15th Judicial District Criminal Court judge from 2009-2014. The family has scheduled a celebration of life for Durham on April 20, 2023, at an undetermined location. You can upload pictures and share memories of Durham here. Durham donated his body to Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Anatomical Whole Body Donor program.

Roane County lawyer Christopher Shawn Roberts today received a public censure from the Tennessee Supreme Court’s Board of Professional Responsibility (BPR). Roberts failed to take proper action and failed to expedite litigation concerning the foreclosure of a client’s home. Additionally, Roberts did not respond or communicate to inquiries from his client concerning the foreclosure, failed to keep his clients updated on the status of their bankruptcy proceeding, effectively abandoned the representation and failed to withdraw from the representation.

Results from Tennessee’s 2022 July bar exam were released this week, marking an exciting time for new attorneys across the state. But what happens if you have an unsuccessful attempt? Catch a new episode of the TBA Young Lawyers Division podcast with attorneys Madaleine Gray, Patrick Morrison, Olivia Spears and Austin Warehime who discuss finding success after an unsuccessful bar exam attempt, breaking the stigma of retaking the bar and why it’s important to talk about that journey. Tune in on the TBA’s website or anywhere you listen to podcasts.  

TBA President Tasha Blakney has sent an email to members informing them that TBA Executive Director Joycelyn Stevenson will be resigning from her position and returning to private practice as office managing shareholder of Littler’s Nashville office. “I know I speak for the Board of Governors, the staff, and the entire TBA membership when I say that Joycelyn has been the very director we needed at the time we needed her most,” Blakney wrote. “During her five-year tenure, she ushered us through dynamic and unprecedented times — from the reinvigoration of staff and member engagement, to the navigation of a global pandemic, to the sale of our building, and so much more.” More information will follow regarding the selection process to find a new executive director. Read the email.

Joshua Smith, owner of Nashville members-only club The Standard, has agreed to plead guilty for his role in what prosecutors say was a campaign finance conspiracy benefitting state Sen. Brian Kelsey’s failed 2016 Congressional campaign. According to the Tennessean, Smith and Kelsey, R-Germantown, were indicted last fall after federal prosecutors said they illegally shuffled "soft money" from Kelsey's Tennessee state Senate campaign committee to his authorized federal campaign committee. Kelsey is not seeking reelection to his Senate seat and is scheduled to go to trial in January on the federal charges.

Newly elected Shelby County Circuit Court Judge Damita J. Dandridge will be sworn into office on Friday at 1 p.m. CDT. U.S. District Judge John T. Fowlkes Jr. will preside over the investiture ceremony, which will be held at the Shelby County Commission Chambers, 160 N. Main, Memphis. Dandridge will be sworn in by Judges Rhynette N. Hurd and Gina C. Higgins. Prior to her election, Dandridge worked as a Judicial Commissioner Judge for 20 years and also served 30 years as a professor at LeMoyne-Owen College in Memphis. Read the press release.

Retired Judge Monte Watkins has joined Nashville’s Neal & Harwell PLC as of counsel. Watkins was appointed to Division V of the 20th Judicial District Criminal Court in 2003 by former Gov. Phil Bredesen. Prior to his time as judge, Watkins practiced law for 19 years as a sole practitioner with an emphasis on criminal defense, probate law and real estate. Neal & Harwell Chief Administrator Ronald G. Harris said the firm was looking forward to working with Watkins. “We have always admired the wisdom of his judgments as well as the respect and fairness that he showed to all sides during his time on the bench,” he said. Read the press release.

The TBA Young Lawyers Division, Belmont Law, Legal Aid of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, and Legal Aid of East Tennessee partnered to host a debt relief clinic on Saturday. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the Middle District of Tennessee Charles Walker kicked off the clinic with a presentation to the debtors about bankruptcy. Attorneys from across the state and Belmont Law students then met with clients via Zoom to give advice about bankruptcy and debt relief options. Many clients had their bankruptcy case taken pro bono. Nine debtors were served at the clinic and more than $10,000 in legal service were donated. 

The Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands will hold a veterans clinic tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. CDT at Operation Stand Down, 1125 12th Ave. S., Nashville 37203. To volunteer for the clinic, contact Kendra Cheek, 615-780-7131. See all October clinics.

Prosecutors in Baltimore today announced they have dropped charges against Adnan Syed in the 1999 murder of Hae Min Lee after additional DNA testing excluded him as a suspect, the Associated Press reports. Lee’s murder and Syed’s subsequent conviction were chronicled by the hit podcast “Serial” in 2014. “This case is over. There are no more appeals necessary,” Marilyn Mosby, the state’s attorney for the city of Baltimore said. She also said her office would continue to pursue justice for Lee. A Baltimore judge last month overturned Syed’s conviction and ordered him released to home detention. Syed spent 23 years in prison on the murder conviction.