In a new video, Justice At Stake Executive Director Bert Brandenburg cautions that what appears to be turning into a big-spending contest in Tennessee’s judicial campaign could harm fair and impartial courts. “The more we subject our judges and justices to outside pressures — to big money and special interest pressure — the more we pressure them to make decisions based on special interest pressure instead of the law and the constitution,” Brandenburg says in the video. Gavel Grab has more.

Voters in Washington County may have to wait until August 2016 to decide Johnson City Juvenile Court Clerk, WJHL reports. News Channel 11 found that the position may be required to be filled by an elected clerk. Charlene Davenport has held the position since 2007, when the city promoted her. City officials are currently looking into the issue.

As lead detective of a murder case in 2006, John Patrick Henry posed as a lawyer in an effort to glean information from a suspect. Court records show Henry ran the scheme by Monroe County prosecutor and believed his tactics were approved by the 10th Judicial District Attorney General’s office. The case was dismissed and Henry left law enforcement. He recently graduated from Lincoln Memorial University’s Duncan School of Law, but was initially refused permission by the state bar exam board to sit for the bar due to his previous ruse. Knoxnews has more. 

Tens of thousands of federal inmates serving time for drug crimes may be eligible for early release under a cost-cutting proposal adopted today that would dramatically reduce the nation's prison population over time. The U.S. Sentencing Commission, which earlier this year voted to substantially lower recommended sentences for drug-dealing felons, voted unanimously to retroactively apply that change to more than 46,000 prisoners now behind bars. WRCB has more.

Lipscomb University's Institute for Law, Justice and Society will host Justice William C. Koch, Jr. July 24 at 6:30 p.m. for a Conversation of Significance as he retires from the Tennessee Supreme Court and begins work as Dean of the Nashville School of Law. The conversation with Justice Koch will touch on the future of the Nashville School of Law, Justice Koch's career in the judiciary, judicial independence, the upcoming judicial retention elections, and the difficult legal issues that are on the horizon in Tennessee. This event is free and open to the public.

Charles Powell Jackson III was suspended on July 3 for failing to respond to the Board of Professional Responsibility regarding two complaints of misconduct. View the BPR notice.

Elbert Jefferson Jr. was temporarily suspended for failing to respond to the Board of Professional Responsibility regarding a complaint of misconduct. View the BPR notice.

The law license of Mary Ellen Stevens was transferred to disability inactive status on July 15. Stevens may return to the practice of law after reinstatement by the Tennessee Supreme Court upon showing of clear and convincing evidence that the disability has been removed and she is fit to resume. View the BPR notice.

Matthew Bastian was suspended for 11 months and 29 days, ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $3,000 and contact the Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program for evaluation. Bastian improperly used his trust account for personal transactions, failed to timely respond to discovery requests, failed to appear at a hearing and failed to timely respond to pleadings resulting in default and dismissal of his client’s case. View the BPR notice.

Joseph Scott Bean Jr. was suspended from the practice of law on July 3 based upon his guilty plea to theft in an amount over $10,000. View the BPR notice.