John Jay Hooker, a Nashville lawyer who has been filing lawsuits challenging the state's judicial selection process for decades, has now filed a motion stating Supreme Court Chief Justice Sharon Lee should resign for a letter she sent to members of the Tennessee Bar Association in support of Amendment 2. Hooker argues Lee violated judicial ethics and, if she refuses to resign, her actions could be considered “an impeachable offense.” John Avery Emison, state coordinator of the “Vote No on 2” campaign committee, also weighed in on Lee's letter saying she should withdraw her endorsement of Amendment 2. In a scathing letter sent to the chief justice, Emison accuses her of chilling debate on the amendment. Lee “stands by the statements she has made regarding Amendment 2,” a spokeswoman said in response to the letter. Knoxnews reports.

The system installed in the Washington County Courthouse to electronically display court dockets should be complete in a few weeks, the county sheriff’s office says. The office reports that it will take all measures necessary to ensure security of personal information before the system goes live. The county is still looking for a new computer service vendor, which will provide software for all departments, including accounting, purchasing and the court system. The Johnson City Press has more.

The TBA Young Lawyers Division is seeking attorneys to volunteer at a Wills for Heroes legal clinic in Gallatin on Nov. 8. Over 60 emergency first responders have signed up to receive estate planning documents that day. The clinic will start at 9 a.m. at the Gallatin Civic Center. Those available to volunteer should contact YLD District 8 Representative Cherrelle Hooper, (615) 451-1880. The YLD has been conducting Wills for Heroes clinics since 2008 and has served more than 2,500 first responders and their families. Learn more about Wills for Heroes.

Endorsements for Amendment 2 continue to pour in as the Nov. 4 election nears. Tennessee Voices for Victims, a leading advocate for victims of crime, and the Greater Memphis Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee have announced their support for the amendment, joining a growing list of organizations from across the state encouraging their members and supporters to Vote Yes on 2. The second of four proposed constitutional amendments, Amendment 2 is intended to bring greater clarity and accountability to the way state appellate court judges are selected.

Republican state House Speaker Beth Harwell is open to a possible run for governor, the Tennessean reports from the Associated Press. In an interview with the Paris Post-Intelligencer, Harwell said she would “certainly be interested” in running for statewide office. Harwell became the state’s first female House speaker when she was elected by the chamber in 2011.

Tennessee is the sixth least politically engaged state, according to a new report from personal finance site WalletHub.com. WalletHub analyzed the 50 states and Washington, D.C., across six metrics to generate its rankings. Factors considered included turnout for the 2010 midterm elections, in which Tennessee ranked second to last. The Volunteer State ranked 46 in turnout in the 2012 presidential election and also ranked in the bottom third of states for the percent of citizens registered to vote in the last presidential election. The Nashville Business Journal has the story.

Shelby County lawyer Paul Neil Royal received a public censure on Oct. 24 for agreeing to file an eviction action for a client but failing to do so. Over the next year, Royal made at least five affirmative misrepresentations to the client that the eviction action had been filed and was delayed due to various reasons. The client later hired new counsel who evicted the tenant. View the BPR notice.

Former White House counsel Kathryn Ruemmler told President Obama this week he should take her name out of consideration for the post of attorney general, White House officials confirmed today. The Associated Press first broke the news, reporting that Ruemmler recused herself as a candidate to succeed Eric Holder out of concern that it could prompt a contentious confirmation battle on Capitol Hill. White House officials would not say who else they are considering for the post, though they said they would not nominate anyone until after the mid-term elections. The Washington Post has the story.

Nashville lawyer Mark Anthony Kovach received a public censure on. Oct. 21. Kovach practiced law while his license was suspended and he engaged in provocative and aggressive behavior toward another lawyer during a court recess. View the BPR notice. 

Jeana Hendrix has been named assistant general counsel for the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts. In this role, she will be tracking proposed legislation, preparing fiscal notes, providing legal and procedural advice, and preparing judicial publications, reports and manuals. She will also participate as legal staff support for task forces, commissions and committees. The AOC website has more.