An End to Merit Selection?

The Tennessee General Assembly wrapped up its 2013 session early, but not without acrimony, sending senators and representatives home without passing a number of key pieces of legislation.

Judicial Selection Bill Fails in Final Days of Session

Legislation to extend the life of the Judicial Nominating Commission failed to win approval Friday, falling by the wayside along with key measures on issues ranging from charter schools to judicial redistricting.

Elected Vice President

Nashville attorney William L. “Bill” Harbison has been elected the Tennessee Bar Association’s vice president, a position that will lead to president-elect next year, followed by the presidency in 2015.

3rd Annual TBA Diversity Job Fair Set

The 3rd Annual TBA Diversity Job Fair is set for August 23-24 in Nashville. Building on the success of past events, this year’s job fair will provide legal employers the opportunity to interview diverse 2L and 3L law students from law schools in Tennessee and surrounding states. All legal employers in Tennessee are invited to take part, regardless of size or sector. Participants are asked to consider candidates for summer associate positions, clerkships and associate attorney positions.

CASA professionally trains and carefully screens volunteers to become advocates for abused and neglected children in juvenile court. Volunteers are appointed by judges to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children and to ensure that children do not get lost in an overburdened legal system or languish in an inappropriate group or foster home. The goal of every CASA volunteer is to find a safe, permanent home for victimized children.

CASA of Henderson County
“Sponsor a Child.” $120 sponsorships to help provide a voice for abused and neglected children in Henderson County Juvenile Court Donations can be made via PayPal at www.hendersoncountycasa.org. Contact Dana Cameron at 731-249-5536

Williamson County CASA
“Voices for Children” Concert and Silent Auction. April 30 at the Franklin Theatre. Contact Danielle McMorran at danielle@williamsoncounty casa.org or 615-591-2699.

Ethical Responsibility

Corporate counsel and private bar lawyers, along with a diverse group of sponsors, were honored at the Seventh Annual Corporate Counsel Pro Bono Initiative Gala in Nashville in March. Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Gary R. Wade gave the keynote address, praising the initiative’s emphasis on pro bono service and encouraging all lawyers to fulfill the ethical responsibility of providing legal assistance to those in need.

In recent years, Tennessee has taken great steps to improve access to justice and eliminate barriers to pro bono service. This is a brief overview of some of the rule and legislative changes that were accomplished through a collaboration of groups working with the Supreme Court, including the Court’s Access to Justice Commission, Tennessee Bar Association, the Tennessee Bar Foundation, Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services and others.

2003

The Tennessee Secretary of State’s office will soon allow Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filings to be handled online as part of an effort to make it more convenient and efficient for business to send required documents to the state. Secretary Tre Hargett said a new filing system, which will launch July 1, will make it possible for UCC filings to be handled through an automated process.

‘Attorneys for Justice’ Designation

The Tennessee Supreme Court launched in February a volunteer recognition program to honor lawyers who provide at least 50 hours of pro bono service annually. The program is entirely voluntary and based on self-reporting. Attorneys are encouraged to begin tracking their work this year. Those who meet the goal will be named “Attorneys for Justice” by the court and will be honored at regional events across the state.