The first of six forums from the USA TODAY Network Tennessee, the University of Tennessee and Lipscomb University begins tonight at 6 p.m. EDT on UT’s campus in Knoxville. Each forum will focus on gubernatorial and congressional candidates and will be held in-person as well as live-streamed on the Tennessean’s website. Tonight’s guests will feature a one-on-one conversation between Gov. Bill Lee and Tennessean editor Michael Anastasi, a discussion between Democratic gubernatorial candidates Carnita Atwater, Jason Martin and JB Smiley, moderated by UT President Randy Boyd, and a conversation with Democratic candidates Cameron Parsons and Mark Harmon, running for congressional seats in Districts 1 and 2, respectively. The live events are free but require tickets. The next forum will be held at Lipscomb on May 19 at 7 p.m. CDT. Read the full forum schedule.  

Melydia Clewell, wife of Hamilton County District Attorney Neal Pinkston, has resigned her position as chief of staff in the DA’s office, Chattanooga’s News Channel 9 reports. Clewell had recently been placed on administrative leave from the office following a report from the Tennessee Comptroller that Pinkston had violated the state’s nepotism policy by employing Clewell and her brother, Kerry Clewell. According to the Chattanoogan, Clewell has accepted a research position with a Hollywood production company. An email between two county officials late last month reveals Kerry Clewell is set to be terminated on May 17. Pinkston lost his bid for reelection to Coty Wamp during the county’s Republican primary.

The TBA’s BarBuzz podcast recently released its May episode, featuring special co-host Tasha Blakney of the Knoxville law firm Eldridge & Blakney. Currently serving as TBA president-elect, Blakney details plans for her upcoming year as president and what she hopes to accomplish. Tune in for that discussion and stick around to hear Blakney deliver the latest legal news and bar association events and updates. BarBuzz is part of the TBA Podcast Network and can be found on the TBA’s website or wherever you listen to podcasts.  

The Tennessee Department of Health has appointed attorney Elizabeth Foy as its assistant commissioner for legislative affairs, the Williamson Source reports. In that role, Foy will help develop the department’s annual legislative package and work with key members of the Tennessee General Assembly to ensure the passage of key initiatives. Foy worked in civil private practice and as an assistant district attorney for the 20th Judicial District before joining the Department of Health as a legislative liaison. Foy is a member of the Tennessee Bar Association and a member of the TBA Leadership Law Class of 2017.

The TBA Criminal Justice Section next week will present a CLE like you’ve never experienced before. The CL(U)E event is an interactive adventure where you and a team of fellow lawyers will solve a murder mystery using information about recent changes to Tennessee criminal law. The event will take place on May 20 at 12:30 p.m. CDT at various landmarks across downtown Nashville, including, the Ryman, Polk’s Tomb, St. Mary of the Seven Sorrows and The Hermitage Hotel. Participants will use clues involving new laws to progress to the next stations. Covered in the event are changes related to DUIs, drug offenses, burglary, homicide and more. Participants can earn up to three hours of CLE credit and prizes will be awarded to the first three winning teams. Participation is limited, so register today before you miss this CLE event.

Throughout the last several weeks, #TeamTBA has highlighted the TBA CLE crew. Now it's time to meet their manager, Jennifer Vossler! As the TBA Director of Education & Professional Development, Jennifer leads her team in providing TBA members with the best CLE courses, education and professional opportunities. Aside from her CLE talents, she can sing virtually any Disney song on command, thanks largely in part to her two-year-old daughter, Emily!

The #TeamTBA series offers members a behind-the-scenes look at the inner workings of the TBA and how each staff members makes the association run. Check back every Wednesday for a new staff profile in TBA Today and on the TBA's Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.

The Nashville Predators hockey team has awarded a $5,000 grant to the 23rd Judicial District Recovery Court to provide bicycles, tricycles and ride-on toys for the children of Recovery Court participants. The court, which serves Cheatham, Dickson, Houston, Humphreys and Stewart counties, is presided over by Circuit and Recovery Court Judge Suzanne Lockert-Mash. “We appreciate the Nashville Predators for giving us the means to teach important parenting skills,” Lockert-Mash said. “Simple things like teaching a child to ride a bike or tricycle creates a bond between parents and their children.” Read more here.  

Knoxville’s Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law is seeking applications for an Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to begin July 1. The new position is envisioned as a key leadership role at LMU Law and would collaborate closely with the dean, other law school and university leaders, students, faculty, and staff to develop, promote, and facilitate LMU Law’s strategic goals and concrete actions to forward progress in diversity, equity and inclusion. Inquiries and letters of interest may be sent to Melissa Montroy or submitted electronically. Applications will be accepted until May 31. Read more about the position on TBA’s JobLink page.

Davidson County Criminal Court Judge Monte Watkins today vacated the conviction of Claude Francis Garrett who in 1992 was found guilty of murdering his girlfriend, Lori Lee Lance, the Tennessean reports. Lance died in a Nashville house fire that Garrett was accused of intentionally starting. The dismissal comes after reports and testimony by witnesses for the Innocence Project and the Davidson County District Attorney’s Conviction Review Unit, that said the fire was not intentionally set. The DA’s office in a statement today said Garrett’s original conviction was "based on outdated investigative methods and baseless conclusions.” In his ruling vacating the conviction, Watkins wrote that Garrett has shown “actual innocence” and would not have been convicted by a jury “in light of the new scientific evidence.”

Law books from the judge’s chambers at the Estes Kefauver Federal Building U.S. Courthouse in downtown Nashville are seeking a new home. If you are interested in reserving the books, contact Hardi Ibrahim. More pictures of the books can be found here.