Belmont University is kicking off its new College of Law Speaker Series with a discussion on “First Amendment Challenges Posed by New Media Technology.” The presentation will be led by award-winning journalist and First Amendment advocate John Seigenthaler. The event will take place at Belmont’s Massey Concert Hall on Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. It is free and open to the public, although tickets are required due to limited seating. View the invitation here

As part of Celebrate Pro Bono Month, the Memphis Bar Association and Memphis Area Legal Services are hosting a monthly legal clinic this Saturday at Ben Hooks Central Library, 3030 Poplar Ave. The event will last from 10 a.m to noon. It is free and open to the public. Contact Linda Seely for more information. See a list of all events here

This Saturday, the Rutherford-Cannon County Bar Association and the Young Lawyers Division of the Tennessee Bar Association will host Wills for Heroes, a free legal clinic that provides basic wills, living wills and health care and financial powers of attorney to first responders and their spouses/partners. The event will run from 9 a.m to 4 p.m. at the Smyrna Town Center, 526 North Walnut St. in Murfreesboro. For more information, contact event organizer Aimee Luna.

The Cocke County courthouse must find alternatives to address overcrowding issues says the state fire marshal, who cited county officials for occupancy violations. According to the Newport Pain Talk, only 49 people are allowed in the courtroom due to safety issues, which will pose a problem when the criminal court and the grand jury meet at the same time later this month. Local Judge John Bell responded, saying several issues are being addressed, including courtroom doors, additional exits and postings to prevent overcrowding.

The Bradley County Bar Association and the Cleveland Bradley County Public Library will host a Community Legal Forum on Thursday, Oct. 26 focusing on the legal challenges adult children face in caring for elderly parents. Learn more about the event at the Cleveland Banner.

Gov. Haslam said this week that he has not made a final decision about what to include in a workers’ compensation reform package and is weighing all options, but revealed that he is seriously considering removing disputes from the court system. Outside consultants recently submitted a report to the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development suggesting the same idea. The Nashville Business Journal has the story.

Former Vanderbilt Law School administrative manager Mark Hunt has been sentenced to 22 years in prison after pleading guilty to 17 counts of fraud, theft and statutory rape, the National Law Journal reports. According to prosecutors, Hunt embezzled more than $530,000 from the university between April 2010 and October 2011 using school-issued credit cards and fraudulent checks. Hunt and his partner also had sexual relations with two 17-year-old boys who cashed the checks, leading to the statutory rape charges.

The Tennessee Court of Appeals has agreed to hear a challenge to the state's new voter identification requirement law. Last month, Davidson County Chancellor Carol McCoy ruled against the city of Memphis in a suit it brought seeking to satisfy the identification requirement through the issuing of library cards with photos. Oral arguments are set for Oct.18, one day after early voting starts in Tennessee. The Tennessean has the story

The Judicial Nominating Commission has announced procedures for filling a vacany in the Sixth Judicial District Circuit Court following the retirement of Judge Wheeler A. Rosenbalm. Applications are due Nov. 9. The successful applicant will take office Jan. 1, 2013. Learn more about the position and download application forms on the AOC website.

Legal Aid of East Tennessee (LAET) will host two free legal clinics on Saturday -- one in Chattanooga and one in Knoxville. The Chattanooga clinic will be at Hope for the Inner City, 1800 Roanoke Ave. Those interested in more information should contact Charlie McDaniel. The Knoxville event will take place at 502 South Gay St., Suite 404. Contact Terry Woods to learn more. Both clinics will run from 9 a.m to noon, and are free and open to the public. See a list of all Celebrate Pro Bono Month events