The Davidson County Trial Courts have approved the establishment of an expedited probate docket. Judge Randy Kennedy and Presiding Judge Joe P. Binkley, Jr. jointly announced the signing of an order that authorizes Special Probate Masters to preside over expedited dockets effective Aug. 16. “The adoption of an expedited probate docket, as distinguished from regular probate dockets, is just another step by the Davidson County Trial Courts to ensure the effective and efficient administration of the Courts.” Judge Binkley said. Download the press release for more information.

Tennessee House Speaker Beth Harwell has joined other state lawmakers asking the state’s Board of Professional Responsibility to investigate allegations of ethical misconduct by 10th Judicial District Attorney General Steve Bebb. "Attorneys licensed to practice law in the State of Tennessee are bound to follow specific and comprehensive ethical rules governing their conduct. These rules are to ensure ethical conduct, maintain the public’s trust, and the integrity of our judicial system. The Board of Professional Responsibility is charged, by statute, with the duty to investigate all allegations of unethical conduct by attorneys.” Harwell spokeswoman Kara Owen said in an emailed statement that offered no specific allegations of misconduct by Bebb. The Chattanooga Times Free Press has the story.

During a town hall speech on college affordability at Binghamton University in New York, President Barack Obama said that law schools would be wise to decrease from three years to two. "I believe, for example, that law schools would probably be wise to think about being two years instead of three years — because by the third year — in the first two years young people are learning in the classroom," Obama said. "The third year they'd be better off clerking or practicing in a firm, even if they weren't getting paid that much. But that step alone would reduce the cost for the student." The Blog of the Legal Times has more.

The pay gap between male and female partners at U.S. law firms is widening, according to a 2012 study conducted by Major, Lindsey & Africa and ALM Legal Intelligence, the Careerist reports. To combat the problem, the American Bar Association's Presidential Task Force on Gender Equity, along with its Commission on Women in the Profession, have released a report titled "Closing the Gap: A Road Map for Achieving Gender Pay Equity in Law Firm Partner Compensation." Tips include being transparent, jumping on the metrics bandwagon, creating a succession plan and diversifying your compensation committee.

The Department of Justice will sue to halt a 2011 Texas law that requires voters to show identification at the polls, signaling a new effort on voting rights enforcement following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling this year that threw out a key part of a landmark federal law. "Today's action marks another step forward in the Justice Department's continuing effort to protect the voting rights of all eligible Americans," Attorney General Eric Holder said in a statement. WCYB has more. 

Four women incarcerated at the J. Alexander Criminal Justice Complex have graduated from the Madison County Sheriff’s Office Re-Entry Program, which is designed to reduce recidivism, the Jackson Sun reports. The step-by-step cognitive-behavioral treatment system is designed to alter how offenders think and how they make decisions about what’s right and wrong. Sheriff David Woolfork along with Madison County Mayor Jimmy Harris, City Court Judge Blake Anderson and Circuit Court Judge Nathan Pride were at the graduation to show their support.

Shawn Patrick Sirgo received a public censure from the Board of Professional Responsibility on Aug. 12 for practicing law while his license was suspended. Download the BPR notice.

Tennessee Tea Party activists are launching a set of “vetting” sessions to find a challenger to U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander in next year’s Republican primary, the Tennessean reports. “Everybody has agreed that we need to get behind a single candidate and put our efforts behind someone who can challenge Lamar, debate his public record and basically just push back against the Republican establishment that is trying to bully and intimidate anyone who wants to run against him,” Nashville Tea Party president Ben Cunningham said.

Attorneys meeting the Tennessee Supreme Court’s minimum goal of 50 pro bono hours annually will be named “Attorneys for Justice” and honored at regional events throughout the state. Justices will present the attorneys with certificates, each honoree’s name will be included on an Honor Roll published on the Court’s website and recipients may use a seal indicating the honor on firm websites and marketing materials.

Williamson County Commissioners will appoint a new general sessions judge at the Sept. 9 commission meeting to finish the term of Judge Al Nation, who retires Sept. 30. His term ends Aug. 31, 2014. The commission is accepting applications to fill the position until Aug. 26. The Brentwood Home Page has more.