Tennessee Courts have reversed course on a paperwork change for designating parties in parenting plans. Titles on Permanent Parent Order forms have been changed from “Parent 1” and “Parent 2” back to the original wording of “Mother” and “Father”, WZTV reports. The Court's Communications Director Michele Wojciechowski confirms the courts' reversal, saying they received many complaints from legislators and the general public. The court has referred the matter to the Tennessee Judicial Conference Domestic Relations Committee for possible consideration. 

Sullivan County Commissioners appointed four magistrates to make the county compliant with a state law requiring criminal warrants issued during non-business hours to be performed by a neutral party. The magistrates will be responsible for meeting face-to-face with arresting officers at night and on holidays to determine probable cause exists to secure the issue of an arrest warrant, The Kingsport Times-News reports. Lowell “Butch” Adkins, Joseph Harrison, Eric Senter and John D. Parker Jr. assume their duties Sept. 1.

Oklahoma-based Hall Estill announced the opening of its fifth office in Nashville. Civil and Criminal Litigation Attorney Susanna Gattoni will oversee the the firm’s newest business. “The Nashville market presents a great opportunity for growth in our firm,” Michael D. Cooke, Hall Estill’s managing partner said. Gattoni previously worked as a federal prosecutor with the U.S. Attorney’s office in the Western District of Oklahoma, where her focus was violent crime and white collar crime.

Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood will retire at the end of August following nearly 30 years on the bench as a Circuit Court and Senior Judge. “These last 10 years [as senior judge] have been the most physically and mentally demanding of my career”, Blackwood told the Knoxville News Sentinel. “[Judge Blackwood's] commitment to justice has been extraordinary," Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Sharon Lee said, "and we are grateful for his dedication."

The Tennessee Coalition for Open Government and several media agencies support the TBA’s alternative amendment to proposed Supreme Court rules on how reporters can use electronic devices in courtrooms, The Tennessean reports. Seventeen media organizations filed comments opposing the changes to Rule 30; no comments were filed in support by the Aug. 14 deadline.

Katrice W. Jones Morgan was named the University of Tennessee College of Law’s first director of diversity and inclusion. The new position was created as part of Dean Melanie D. Wilson’s initiative to promote diversity at UT Law. Morgan has worked at the College of Law since 2007, previously serving as assistant dean for student affairs before beginning her new role on Aug. 1.

The Tennessee Supreme Court is soliciting comments on a number of proposed "plain language" forms and instructions for self-represented litigants to use in uncontested divorces with minor children. The forms were developed by the court's Access to Justice Commission, with input from judges, court clerks, legal aid organizations and others. Comments are due by Oct. 19. Read the order and forms here.

Former inmates at a privately run Nashville jail said they worked without pay to build items that officials sold at a flea market. Larry Stephney and Charles Brew say they worked in the jail’s woodshop for Stand Firm Designs “under fear of retaliation," WKRN reports. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is probing allegations of misuse of inmate labor at the facility.

Councilman Chip Henderson wants to remove nondiscrimination and anti-harassment policies from Chattanooga’s city handbook, Nooga.com reports. Henderson would like the handbook to include guidelines written by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which are based on the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and do not mention sexual orientation or gender identity. Chattanooga’s city handbook currently includes policies that list sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes.

Preliminary tests show the possibility of unsafe mold at the Sumner County Courthouse, according to WKRN. County Executive Anthony Holt said a chancery judge reported some health issues since starting his tenure with the court about a year ago. The courthouse was built in 1939. Holt said more inspection is needed at the 76-year-old courthouse.