Shelby County Juvenile Court Judge Tarik Sugarmon this week announced two additions to his leadership team at the juvenile courthouse, the Commercial Appeal reports. Stephen Bush, a former public defender, will serve as the chief administrative officer. Bush is behind the Jericho Project, a pre-trial diversion program in Shelby County. Stephanie Hill will serve as deputy chief administrative officer and the chief of strategy and innovation. Hill has most recently served as the impact assessment associate for Slingshot Memphis, a local group that funds non-profits that focus on fighting poverty. Sugarmon said the new hires bring experience that will help develop a roadmap for true reform that not only ensures fairness for every child but will also hold youth accountable in ways that advance public safety.”

The Trial Court Vacancy Commission has forwarded the names of Audrey Lee Anderson, Stanley A. Kweller and Stephanie J. Williams to Gov. Bill Lee for his consideration in filling the 20th Judicial District circuit court vacancy. The seat was made vacant by the passing of Judge Philip E. Smith in September. The 20th Judicial District covers Davidson County. Read more on each candidate from the Administrative Office of the Courts.

Tennessee Bar Association Executive Director Joycelyn Stevenson has been named among this year's “Women of Influence” by the Nashville Business Journal. She sat for an interview with the publication recently and answered questions such as what she would change about Nashville, the best business or life lesson she has learned, and her advice for young professionals, among other topics. Her parting thought? Schools should be teaching more civility, professionalism and leadership development. “Social media has made it so easy to create distance and division. The basic tenets and fundamentals related to professionalism and treating people respectfully even in times of disagreement are crucial.”

Henry County General Sessions and Juvenile Court Judge Vicki Snyder tells the Administrative Office of the Courts that The Clothesline Project — which allows domestic violence survivors to creatively express their thoughts and feelings on a t-shirt — was “one of the most raw and emotional events” in her 32 years as a judge. Snyder was invited to view the project in another location but was so moved, she decided to bring the project to Henry County. Hoping for 30 participants, the project ultimately saw 90 survivors create a shirt.

The Nashville mayor’s Community Safety Partnership Fund Board has recommended that two local groups — Gideon’s Army and the Raphah Institute — split $1.5 million in funding for violence interruption efforts. If approved, the arrangement would push the two organizations to work together, despite having very different approaches, WPLN reports. Gideon’s Army relies on people on the street who work to stop violence, while the Raphah Institute runs a diversion program with the juvenile court. If approved by the Metro Council, $375,000 would be distributed to each organization each year for two years.

A federal judge in Texas ruled Friday that the federal DACA program can continue, at least temporarily, the Associated Press reports. U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen — who last year declared the DACA program illegal — says the policy, which is set to proceed under new regulations at the end of the month, can continue with limitations he previously set. During a hearing Friday, Hanen ordered government attorneys to provide more information on the new regulations but no timetable was set for future hearings. Last week, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Hansen’s decision that the program was illegal but sent the case back to him for further review in light of the new procedures.

After 32 years in private practice and eight years as a prosecutor, Gary Howell is set to retire, according to 22nd Judicial District Attorney Brent Cooper. Howell graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1981 and began practicing law with the Columbia law firm of Jack and Edwards. He opened a solo practice in Columbia in 1987 and moved his office to Mt. Pleasant in 2000. He joined the district attorney’s office in 2014, and served his entire tenure in the Lawrence County office, handling a number of high profile murder cases. “Having prosecuted several cases with Gary on the opposing side certainly made me better as an attorney and a prosecutor," Cooper said in a release. “Because of that, I didn’t hesitate to offer him a job when he asked to close out his career as a prosecutor.” The Daily Herald has more on Howell’s career.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced two new grant programs to support local law enforcement on Friday, Chattanoogan.com reports. The move comes after the recent launch of the $100 million Violent Crime Intervention Fund and continued Proven Crime Prevention investments. The initiative includes $24 million to support basic training and $30 million for recruitment bonuses. Gov. Lee also announced these additional steps to fight crime: funding for 100 additional Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers; increased frequency of training for new recruits; creation of a statewide network of correctional officer training programs; more than $4 million in professional development programs for correctional officers; and more than $25 million for jails to operate crime and recidivism reduction programs.

Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp has informed County Attorney Rheubin Taylor that he will not be reappointed, Chattanooga Times Free Press reports. In a news release issued late today, Wamp says he came to the decision based on concerns about private legal work Taylor was conducting during business hours, a breach of attorney-client privilege with the mayor's office, and previous admissions from Taylor that his office had “systematically destroyed thousands of documents related to open records requests." In the release Wamp says, "I respect Mr. Taylor and appreciate his service to Hamilton County, however my transition team recommended we pursue a new direction in the County Attorney's office as we seek to increase transparency and accountability in county government."

The Tennessee Board of Law Examiners filed a petition with the Tennessee Supreme Court on Wednesday to amend Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 6, which governs the admission of attorneys, and Rule 7, which governs the licensing of attorneys. The board said that the proposal reflects changes adopted during the pandemic that “positively impact the licensing and admissions process.” The petition includes a red-line copy of the proposed changes.