The Judicial Nominating Commission has recommended to Gov. Bill Haslam three applicants to  fill the 6th District Circuit Court vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. Wheeler A. Rosenbalm. The candidates are Kristi M. Davis of Hodges, Doughty & Carson; Mary Elizabeth Maddox of Frantz, McConnell & Seymour; and Deborah C. Stevens of Lewis, King, Krieg & Waldrop.

Should Congress fail to avoid the “fiscal cliff,” federal courts risk losing $555 million and could be forced to lay off as many as 2,000 non-judicial employees under the budget cuts, Gavel Grab reports. Charles Hall, spokesman for the federal Administrative Office of the Courts, said individual district and circuit courts will decide whether to absorb the cuts through layoffs, furloughs or a combination of both.

Leading House Democratic Craig Fitzhugh has been rumored to be considering a run for governor in 2014, according to reports. When asked directly by the Nashville City Paper, he said, “I wouldn’t rule it out at all.” Fitzhugh has served in the legislature for almost 20 years, largely as the caucus’ budget expert. He ran for minority leader in 2010 and was re-elected to the post Wednesday.

Gov. Bill Haslam has selected Assistant District Attorney Lila Statom to fill the Hamilton County General Sessions Court seat held by Judge Ron Durby, who left the bench citing medical reasons. Statom joined the prosecutor’s office in Nashville in 1989 and joined the staff of District Attorney Bill Cox in 1998. She will be the second female judge on the court, joining Christie Sell. The Chattanoogan has the story.

Criminal Court Judge Lynn Brown of the First Judicial District announced Wednesday that he will retire at the end of March 2013, the Johnson City Press reports. Brown has served as Criminal Court judge since 1988, after 11 years as a prosecutor with the First District Attorney General’s Office. Assistant District Attorneys Dennis Brooks and Ken Baldwin have already stated their desire to succeed Brown.

Tennessee will receive $1.1 million as part of a $42.9 million agreement with Pfizer and 33 other states over the drug maker’s alleged unfair and deceptive practices in promoting its Zyvox and Lyrica products. Under the settlement, Pfizer does not have to admit wrongdoing, but says it will change how it markets the drugs.

Heidi A. Barcus of London & Amburn P.C. assumed presidency of the Knoxville Bar Association today at its annual meeting. Other new officers include President-Elect Wade V. Davies, Treasurer Tasha C. Blakney and Secretary Wayne R. Kramer. Doug Blaze, Chris McCarty, Hanson Tipton and Chancellor John Weaver were elected to the Board of Governors. Also at the meeting, Thomas M. Hale was presented with the prestigious Governor’s Award, the highest award of the KBA. It is awarded to a lawyer whose peers believe to be deserving of special respect. William R. Searle III was honored posthumously with the Courage in the Face of Adversity Award. His widow, Sarah Searle, accepted the award on his behalf.

Chattanooga mayoral candidate Rob Healy announced this morning that he is dropping out of the race, the Chattanooga Times Free Press reports. He cited the staggering amount of money needed to pay for campaigns as a reason for his withdrawal. His departure leaves two candidates for mayor: former Democratic State Sen. Andy Berke and former city employee Guy Satterfield

Tennessee Democratic Party Caucus chairman Mike Turner of Old Hickory fended off a challenge from Rep. Johnny Shaw of Bolivar, who said he would bring a more cooperative spirit to the position. With reelection, Turner said he expects to be as fiery as ever. Democrats in both chambers return to the upcoming session with historically low numbers as Republicans hold two-thirds majorities.

The Senate gave final approval on Tuesday to legislation that would create a single standard for the treatment of privileged information submitted to all federal agencies that supervise banks and other financial institutions. The legislation, supported by the American Bar Association and the Tennessee Bar Association, clarifies and provides consistent regulation for privileged information submitted to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and across all federal banking agencies. Tennessee Senator Bob Corker is a cosponsor of the measure, which President Obama is expected to sign into law.