Putnam County Judge Nolan R. Goolsby was honored with the 2013 McCain-Abernathy Memorial Award, the highest distinction conferred by the Tennessee Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (TCJFCJ). Judge Goolsby was nominated by his colleagues in recognition of decades of outstanding service and dedication to the improvement of juvenile justice for the benefit of children and families in Tennessee. The Administrative Office of the Courts has more.

Special elections will be held in Memphis on Oct. 8 and Nov. 21 to fill the seat in the House of Representatives left open with the death of state Rep. Lois DeBerry. The Tennessean reports that Gov. Bill Haslam set the dates on Tuesday for the primary and general elections for the 91st House District, which stretches south of midtown Memphis as far as the Whitehaven neighborhood.

Gov. Bill Haslam named Larry Martin commissioner of the state Department of Finance and Administration, the Chattanoogan reports. Martin has served as the interim commissioner since June 1 after former commissioner Mark Emkes’ retirement. “I want to thank Larry for continuing to serve Tennesseans as the F&A commissioner,” Governor Haslam said. “Putting together the budget is one of the most important things we do, and Larry’s skills and experience with complex systems and organizations is unmatched.”

Carter County attorney and former state representative Jerome Cochran confirmed Monday he intends to challenge District Attorney General Tony Clark in next year’s general election, the Johnson City Press reports. Cochran was first elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives in 2002 when he unseated longtime state Rep. Ralph Cole.

When U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder talked this week about “a fundamentally new approach” to the crimes federal prosecutors pursue and the sentences they seek, he outlined an approach that has been taking shape in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee for several years, the Memphis Daily News reports. According to the publication, Holder’s “Smart on Crime” initiatives include the re-entry and drug court dockets already in use in the Western District of Tennessee to continue direct supervision by a judge of offenders after they serve their federal time. “Diversion was something that was somewhat nonexistent,” said Ed Stanton, U.S. Attorney for West Tennessee. “It’s been my policy that diversion should certainly be a tool to be considered when warranted.”

Knoxville’s Industrial Development Board is considering a proposal to develop the site where the Tennessee Supreme Court building used to stand into an $84 million hotel, residential, retail and restaurant development. Gateway Knoxville LLC has been chosen from among five companies vying for the prime real estate located in downtown Knoxville. "Rarely do you get to redevelop a full block of city property. We're going to try to take our time and look at a couple of options before we move forward," said the city's director of redevelopment, Bob Whetsel. WBIR has the story.

The Tennessee Supreme Court ruled unanimously yesterday that the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department Civil Service Board exceeded its statutory authority in ordering Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Hammond to equalize the pay of six sergeants in the department who filed a grievance contending pay disparity. The Supreme Court reversed the Tennessee Court of Appeals decision and determined that the sheriff did not have to pay all the sergeants the same rate when there was no proof that the sheriff violated state law or terms of the Civil Service Manual. Read the opinion here, authored by Justice Lee.

Nancy-Ann DeParle, a former Nashville attorney and one of President Barack Obama’s chief advisors on health care reform, has joined the private equity firm Consonance Capital Partners, the Tennessean reports. The firm, located in New York City, focuses exclusively on investing in the U.S. health care industry. From 2009 to January 2013, DeParle served in the Obama White House, first as counselor to the president and then as director of the White House Office of Health Reform, where she spearheaded Obama’s effort to enact the Affordable Care Act and managed initial implementation of the law. Earlier in her career, she was commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Human Services.

Marianne Schroer has been hired as the new executive director of Williamson County CASA (WCCSA). She will take over as of Sept. 3, the Nashville Post reports. Schroer has more than 30 years experience as a licensed psychological examiner and has an extensive background in nonprofit work. “Marianne possesses a unique set of skills that will only enhance this challenging and critical role,” Alex Marks, WCCASA board president, said in a release. “With a background in both the nonprofit and counseling sectors, the board believes that she is in the position to quickly make a deep imprint on the community we serve. We are looking forward to seeing the ripple effects of her work.”

With a combined 50 years of legal experience, Chattanooga attorneys Alix Michel and David Ward have formed their own firm. Formerly with Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel, the pair will operate a general practice firm focusing on personal injury, long term care, professional and medical malpractice, defense of health related board investigations and other civil matters. “Our practice has made us legal problem solvers. Understanding your client and their needs, and tailoring a solution to their unique problem...is very satisfying,” Michel said. The firm of Michel and Ward is located in Chattanooga's Business Development Center at 100 Cherokee Blvd. The firm may be reached at (423) 602-9521. The Hamilton Herald has more.