Results from Tennessee’s 2022 July bar exam were released this week, marking an exciting time for new attorneys across the state. But what happens if you have an unsuccessful attempt? Catch a new episode of the TBA Young Lawyers Division podcast with attorneys Madaleine Gray, Patrick Morrison, Olivia Spears and Austin Warehime who discuss finding success after an unsuccessful bar exam attempt, breaking the stigma of retaking the bar and why it’s important to talk about that journey. Tune in on the TBA’s website or anywhere you listen to podcasts.  

The latest episode of the state Supreme Court’s “Tennessee Court Talk” podcast is out with a focus on everything attorneys need to know about taking appointed case work in criminal defense, guardian ad litem, juvenile or judicial hospitalization cases. The podcast walks attorneys through filing for payment, expense claims, experts, investigators and more. Tune in and learn how to avoid common pitfalls and why this work is essential to the administration of justice in the state. Access it on the Tennessee Court Talk page or podcasts sites, including Apple podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio and more.

As Montgomery County continues to grow, area leaders are looking to create their own juvenile resource center, WKRN reports. Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden tells the station that often times youth are placed two hours or more away from the county and sometimes, they are just sent home for the night because staff cannot find a spot for them. The situation is draining county resources, Golden says, as two officers must accompany juveniles to doctor’s appointments and court appearances. This week, the Montgomery County Commission formally asked its state legislative delegation to support funding for a juvenile center.

An oversight board tasked with reforming Rutherford County’s Juvenile Detention Center met for the first time this week, Nashville Public Radio reports. The five-member board includes Rutherford County Mayor Joe Carr, retired judge Steve Daniel, longtime juvenile court prosecutor Leslie Collum, pastor and attorney Michael McDonald, and school board member Claire Maxwell. The board was created to bring greater accountability to the county’s long-troubled juvenile justice system. It also has hiring and firing power over the detention center director. One of the board’s first tasks will be to review the center’s operating procedures.

Most users of the judiciary’s PACER electronic court records platform would receive refunds for fees they incurred under a $125 million settlement agreement between three nonprofits and the U.S. government, Bloomberg Law reports. Under the agreement, the government must reimburse “the vast majority of PACER users in full” for past charges. The deal still must be approved U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman. This week’s action comes after the parties announced a tentative deal last November. The nonprofit groups first filed suit arguing that the fees being charged by Pacer were excessive.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee launched a $100 million Violent Crime Intervention Fund this week and invited local law enforcement agencies to apply for grants that can be used to reduce violent crime and strengthen public safety. The fund was a cornerstone of Lee’s crime prevention agenda and funding was included in this year’s state budget, Chattanoogan.com reports. Eligible uses include evidence-based crime intervention models, hiring and training of specialized violent crime units, purchase and application of technology and equipment, and law enforcement-led partnerships with community organizations. Law enforcement agencies can apply for funding through January 2023.

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti is leading a coalition of 13 state attorneys general demanding U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland respect the First Amendment rights of those who criticize "irreversible transgender treatments" for minors. The letter, according to the group, is in response to a letter from medical organizations calling on Garland to investigate and prosecute those who commit, threaten or provoke violence against adolescent gender clinics. The attorneys general argue that targeting those who “provoke” such threats is a violation of the Constitution’s free speech rights.

TBA President Tasha Blakney has sent an email to members informing them that TBA Executive Director Joycelyn Stevenson will be resigning from her position and returning to private practice as office managing shareholder of Littler’s Nashville office. “I know I speak for the Board of Governors, the staff, and the entire TBA membership when I say that Joycelyn has been the very director we needed at the time we needed her most,” Blakney wrote. “During her five-year tenure, she ushered us through dynamic and unprecedented times — from the reinvigoration of staff and member engagement, to the navigation of a global pandemic, to the sale of our building, and so much more.” More information will follow regarding the selection process to find a new executive director. Read the email.

Joshua Smith, owner of Nashville members-only club The Standard, has agreed to plead guilty for his role in what prosecutors say was a campaign finance conspiracy benefitting state Sen. Brian Kelsey’s failed 2016 Congressional campaign. According to the Tennessean, Smith and Kelsey, R-Germantown, were indicted last fall after federal prosecutors said they illegally shuffled "soft money" from Kelsey's Tennessee state Senate campaign committee to his authorized federal campaign committee. Kelsey is not seeking reelection to his Senate seat and is scheduled to go to trial in January on the federal charges.

Retired Judge Monte Watkins has joined Nashville’s Neal & Harwell PLC as of counsel. Watkins was appointed to Division V of the 20th Judicial District Criminal Court in 2003 by former Gov. Phil Bredesen. Prior to his time as judge, Watkins practiced law for 19 years as a sole practitioner with an emphasis on criminal defense, probate law and real estate. Neal & Harwell Chief Administrator Ronald G. Harris said the firm was looking forward to working with Watkins. “We have always admired the wisdom of his judgments as well as the respect and fairness that he showed to all sides during his time on the bench,” he said. Read the press release.