The Shelby County General Sessions Civil Court is seeking commitments from lawyers to volunteer as special judges when other sitting judges are not available to preside over a case. Those interested in serving in this capacity must meet the basic qualifications of TCA 8-18-101, be at least 30 years of age, a resident of the state for five years, a resident of the circuit or district for one year, and licensed to practice law in Tennessee. To be considered submit a letter of interest by email to Michelle McElhaney or by fax to 901-222-3415.

The Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference (TNDAGC) will host the South East Prosecutor Job Fair on June 24. The event will feature representatives from a variety of prosecutor offices from Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, Florida and South Carolina. Attendance is free, but participants must register in advance by June 20. For questions, contact Brittany Lavalle at bllavalle@tndagc.org. View a flyer with more information.

The Trial Court Vacancy Commission will consider 16 applicants for two circuit court judge positions. The commission will meet July 11 in Sevierville to select nominees for a circuit court judge in the 4th Judicial District, which covers Cocke, Grainger, Jefferson and Sevier counties. The applicants are Jeremy D. Ball, Jeremy D. Churchwell, Brad L. Davidson, Jeffery S. Greene, R. Alexander Johnson, Melissa Moore, Adrienne Waters Ogle and Nella R. Vargas. Then on July 17, the commission will consider eight applicants when it meets in Charlotte to select nominees for a circuit court judge in the 23rd Judicial District, which includes Cheatham, Dickson, Houston, Humphreys, and Stewart counties. Those applicants are Jack Arnold, Leonard G. Belmares II, Erin D. Bryson, Marion C. Fordyce, Jennifer F. Noe, David C. Risner, Joshua Turnbow and Talmage M. Woodall. Information on the candidates, plus hearing locations and times, is available at the links above.

Henry Martin will retire in 2025 after 40 years as the federal public defender for the Middle District of Tennessee, the Nashville Banner reported in a recent newsletter. The office represents people accused of federal crimes who cannot afford an attorney and has a unit dedicated to representing Tennessee death row inmates in federal court. Martin recently announced his retirement plans internally and the court announced the forthcoming vacancy online, with a June 20 deadline for applications from those interested in the position. Martin joined the public defender’s office in 1985. His service has included membership on the U.S. Judicial Conference’s Advisory Committee on Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure and as president of the Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. In 2020, Martin received the TBA’s first annual Claudia Jack Award, which recognizes a public defender or court-appointed lawyer who serves their clients in an exemplary fashion.

The Trial Court Vacancy Commission is currently accepting applications for judicial positions in the 4th, 19th and 23rd Judicial Districts. The new positions will be effective Sept. 1. The deadline to apply is June 11 at noon CDT. Applicants must be licensed Tennessee attorneys who are at least 30 years of age, residents of the state for five years and residents of the relevant judicial districts. The new position in the 4th Judicial District, which includes Cocke, Grainger, Jefferson and Sevier counties, is for a circuit court judge. The new position in the 19th Judicial District, which includes Montgomery and Robertson counties, is for a chancellor. The new position in the 23rd Judicial District, which includes Cheatham, Dickson, Houston, Humphreys and Stewart counties, is for a circuit court judge. The commission will hold a public hearing with applicants for the 4th Judicial District on July 11, with applicants for the 19th Judicial District on July 18, and with applicants for the 23rd Judicial District on July 17. Visit the Administrative Office of the Courts' website for more information.

The Tennessee Bar Association is now accepting applications from candidates interested in the position of Communications Coordinator. This full-time position is responsible for maintaining an effective TBA presence on social media, gathering news and court opinions for the TBA Today e-newsletter, contributing content for the TBA website and other publications, and producing TBA’s podcasts. The TBA currently works in a hybrid arrangement. To apply, send a cover letter explaining interest in the position and a resume by email to Human Resources and Administrative Coordinator Tanja Trezise. The full job description can be accessed here.

The Shelby County Election Commission is accepting petitions through April 12 at noon CDT to fill the Criminal Court Division 9 seat formerly held by Melissa Boyd. The Daily Memphian reports that candidates must be at least 30 years old, be a resident of Shelby County and be licensed to practice law. Accepted petitioners’ names will appear on the Aug. 1 ballot. Early voting is July 12-27. Shelby County Elections Administrator Linda Phillips said in a release to the news outlet that all petitioners should be aware of pending legislation that could remove Boyd’s former seat, making any petitions null and void.

The Tennessee Trial Court Vacancy Commission is accepting applications for a circuit court judge in the 18th and 22nd Judicial Districts. The position in the 18th Judicial District, which serves Sumner County, is a new seat that will be in effect as of Sept. 1. The position in the 22nd Judicial District — which serves Maury, Giles, Lawrence and Wayne counties — will be created with the retirement of Judge David Allen on Aug. 3. Those interested in either position should complete the application and submit it to the Administrative Office of the Courts by noon CDT on April 17. The commission will hold a public hearing to consider applicants for the 22nd District seat on May 20 at 9 a.m. CDT at Columbia Central High School, 921 Lion Parkway, Columbia 38401. It will hold a public hearing to consider applicants for the 18th District seat on May 21 at 9 a.m. CDT at Volunteer State Community College, 1480 Nashville Pike, Gallatin 37066. Get more information about applying.

The Nashville Bar Association (NBA) is seeking an executive director to provide leadership and direction to the organization. The executive director serves as the chief executive of the association and is responsible for day-to-day administration and management. The position also serves as the executive director of the Nashville Bar Foundation (NBF) and works with its board of trustees. Read more about the position.

Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) Duncan School of Law is seeking attorneys and judges who would be willing to be interviewed for 30 minutes by law students in the spring semester of 2024. As part of a new required 1L class, students will be interviewing attorneys and judges about the role that one of the following values has played in their legal careers: service, excellence, resilience, integrity, empathy and self-awareness. Interviews may be done via Zoom, telephone or an in-person meeting, as convenient to the interviewee. If you are interested in participating, please share your contact information by filling out this form.