A reminder that the deadline for applying to be part of the Tennessee Bar Association’s Leadership Law 2024 class has been extended to Friday. Contact Paul Burch if you have questions about the program or the application process.

The Tennessee Bar Association has a new resource for test-takers who were not successful on the bar exam. Faith Watson, a YLD Board member and professor at the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law in Memphis, has pulled together the resources, which include strategies, tips for understanding the results and alternative careers that don't require a law license. If you know someone who did not pass the bar, this information is both helpful and encouraging.

The Knoxville Bar Association (KBA) has begun a search to replace longtime Executive Director Marsha Watson, who will be leaving the post in December after 33 years. As the chief executive officer for the KBA, the director is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the association under the policies determined by the KBA Board of Governors. The director manages a staff of five employees, an annual operating budget of approximately $775,000 and the assets of all entities. Interested applicants should email a cover letter expressing their interest in the position along with a resume and references. Please include your salary requirements. Read the full job posting or contact the KBA Executive Director Search Committee for more information.

The Trial Court Vacancy Commission next month will consider applicants for two court openings. Five applicants for a vacancy on the 16th Judicial District Circuit Court will be reviewed when the commission meets on Aug. 30. They are: Terry A. Fann, Stephen E. Grauberger, Derek R. Howard, R. Michelle Howser and Micheal A. Jones. The commission will meet in the Historic Courthouse’s Rutherford County Commission Meeting Room in Murfreesboro at 9 a.m. CDT. The vacancy is being created by the upcoming retirement of Judge J. Mark Rogers on Sept. 1. Then on Aug. 31, the commission will meet in Franklin to consider four applicants for the 21st Judicial District Circuit Court. They are: Russell D. Gill, B. Todd Martin, Erin W. Nations and David H. Veile. The meeting will take place at 9 a.m. CDT in the Mayor and Aldermen Board Room at Franklin City Hall. This vacancy is being created by the upcoming retirement of Judge Michael W. Binkley on Sept. 29. The commission is expected to vote immediately following each of the meetings and forward three names for each district to Gov. Bill Lee for his consideration.

The Federal Public Defender's Office for the Middle District of Tennessee is now accepting applications for the district's Criminal Justice Act Panel. Members of the panel are private practice attorneys who are appointed to represent individuals accused of violating federal law and are unable to afford private counsel. Applicants for the panel must be members in good standing with the federal bar of the district and the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. Attorneys who lack experience may apply to participate in the CJA Fellows mentoring and training program. Applications for either program may be obtained from and returned to Panel Administrator Ann Card, Office of the Federal Public Defender, 810 Broadway, Ste. 200, Nashville, TN 37203, by emailing Card or by calling 615-695-6904. Completed applications must be received by Aug. 7.

The Trial Court Vacancy Commission is currently accepting applications for two state court judicial positions: Circuit Court judge in the 16th Judicial District, which covers Rutherford and Cannon Counties, and Circuit Court judge in the 21st Judicial District, which covers Williamson County. A public hearing to consider applicants for Circuit Court judge in the 16th Judicial District will be held Aug. 30 in the Rutherford County Commission Meeting Room in the Historic Courthouse located at South Public Square, Murfreesboro 37130, at 9 a.m. CDT. A public hearing for applicants to the Circuit Court judge in the 21st District will held Aug. 31 in the Mayor and Aldermen Board Room in the Franklin City Hall located at 109 3rd Ave S., Franklin 37064, at 9 a.m. CDT. Click here for more information.

“Winning in Your Own Court: 10 Laws for a Successful Career without Burning Out or Selling Out” looks at how attorneys can find or design a new career. Authored by Dena Lefkowitz and published by the American Bar Association, the book is designed to help readers who want to change directions or give their career a tune-up. It shows readers how to assess where they are, determine what needs to change to get where they want to be, and create a plan to get there. The book recently was recognized as a 2023 award winner by Nautilus, an organization that honors books that support conscious living, green values, wellness, social change, social justice and spiritual growth. Read more from the ABA.

The Trial Court Vacancy Commission will consider applicants for three new judicial positions throughout the month of July. The positions, recently approved by the Tennessee General Assembly, will be effective Sept. 1. On July 12, the commission will hear from four applicants for the 19th Judicial District Circuit Court. They are: Gregory D. Smith, Ashleigh L. Travis, Kimberly G. Turner and Jeff K. Walker. The hearing will be held at the Montgomery County Historic Courthouse, 1 Millennium Plaza, Clarksville 37040 at 9 a.m. CDT. On July 13, the commission will consider three applicants for the 22nd Judicial District Circuit Court. They are: Lee E. Brooks, Julie C. Heffington and P. Nicole Long. A hearing will be held at 9 a.m. CDT at the Maury County Tom Primm Commission Meeting Room, 6 Public Square, Columbia 38041. On July 18, the commission will hear from five applicants for the 13th Judicial District Criminal Court. They are: William M. Blaylock, Rebecca Brady, Shawn C. Fry, Brandon S. Griffin and Benjamin Marsee. A hearing will be held at the Stone Memorial High School, 2800 Cook Road, Crossville 38571 beginning at 9 a.m. CDT. The commission is expected to vote immediately following the interviews to forward three names for each position to Gov. Bill Lee for his consideration. For more information, contact John Jefferson, 615-741-2687.

The governor’s office has extended to June 5 the application deadline to fill the post of 10th Judicial District attorney general. The position will be vacant as of July 16 following the resignation of current district attorney Stephen D. Crump, who earlier announced he would be filling the executive director position for the Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference. Candidates must have resided in the state for five years and in the judicial district for one year. The district includes Bradley, McMinn, Monroe and Polk counties. Interested attorneys should submit a resume and cover letter by mail to Erin Merrick, Chief Counsel to the Governor, State Capitol, First Floor, 600 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Nashville, TN 37243 or by email to Katelin.Brown@tn.gov by 5 p.m. CDT on June 5. 

The Trial Court Vacancy Commission is currently accepting applications for three newly established state court judicial positions: a criminal court judge in the 13th Judicial District, a circuit court judge in the 19th District and a circuit court judge in the 22nd District. The new positions, created by the Tennessee General Assembly during the recent session, will be effective Sept. 1. Public hearings on candidates will take place July 18, July 12 and July 13, respectively. The deadline to apply is June 12 at noon CDT. Applicants must be attorneys licensed in Tennessee who are at least 30 years of age, residents of the state for five years, and residents of the relevant judicial district. The application and instructions are available online. For questions, contact Assistant General Counsel John Jefferson.