On Nov. 6, Gov. Bill Haslam issued Executive Order No. 41 establishing the Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments, a group of 11 members who will recommend candidates to fill vacancies for state trial and appellate courts.

537 New Lawyers to Join the Profession

Results from the July Tennessee bar exam were released earlier this month with 537 applicants successfully passing the exam. Congratulations to all! The legal profession will welcome these colleagues to the practice of law next week at admission ceremonies across the state.

Chief Justice Lee lays out Goals, Plans

Former Criminal Court Judge and TBA senior counselor FRED A. KELLY died Sept. 27 at the age of 93. Kelly graduated from the University of Tennessee and later served in World War II, earning the rank of captain. He graduated from Vanderbilt University Law School in 1948 and began practicing law in Gallatin. A native of the city, he went on to serve on the city council and as mayor (1974-1977). In 1983, Kelly was appointed to, and later ran unopposed for, the 18th Judicial District Criminal Court.

Law Students Gather in Memphis to Learn Value of Pro Bono Work

Third Annual Summit Highlights Opportunities for Partnership

October is “Celebrate Pro Bono Month” and Tennessee lawyers are joining their colleagues across the country to provide free legal services to those in need and honor the good work performed by lawyers every day as part of the annual National Pro Bono Celebration.

Now in its sixth year, the TBA’s statewide Celebrate Pro Bono initiative brings together legal services providers with local bar associations, law schools, law firms and individual lawyers to offer free services to those unable to afford a lawyer.

Herbert Slatery is new attorney General & Reporter

Herbert H. Slatery III was unanimously selected the new Tennessee Attorney General by the state Supreme Court Sept. 15. He will replace Robert Cooper Jr., who has served in the capacity for eight years.

Slatery has been Gov. Bill Haslam’s chief counsel since 2011. Prior to that appointment, he was in private practice in Knoxville with Egerton, McAfee, Armistead & Davis PC for 30 years. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia and law degree from the University of Tennessee.

Field Narrows to 6 for Attorney General After Hearings

Public hearings to choose Tennessee’s next attorney general wrapped up in Nashville today after nearly five hours of statements from each of the eight candidates, members of the public, those speaking on behalf of candidates, and a series of interviews by the five state Supreme Court justices.

Justices Retained in Statewide Election

Tennessee voters chose to retain all three Supreme Court justices in the Aug. 7 election. Despite a big money campaign against them, Chief Justice Gary Wade and Justices Connie Clark and Sharon Lee all survived to new eight-year terms on the state’s highest court. Complete results compiled by the Secretary of State’s office show all three held a margin of about 56 percent to 44 percent. All judges on the Court of Appeals and Court of Criminal Appeals also were retained by voters.

Voters Retain Justices in Widely Watched Race

Tennessee voters chose to retain all three Supreme Court justices in Thursday's election.