Susan Gruber, Rick Taylor and Kirsten Jacobson accepted awards at the TBA’s annual Public Service Luncheon, Jan. 14. Read more about each of them in this month's News.

Legal Aid of East Tennessee (LAET) held its annual Celebrate Pro Bono Dinner this week in Johnson City. The event honored Tri-City lawyers who volunteered for the group’s Pro Bono Project. Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Jeff Bivins was on hand for the recognitions. Access to Justice Awards were given to Curt Collins, Mike Forrester, Suzanne Queen and Tony Seaton. Outstanding Service Awards went to Art Fowler III, Adam Kneisley, Rachel Mancl, Dave Robbins, Bart Rowlett, Mark Skelton and Aleania Smith. Karen Boyd was recognized with a special Above & Beyond Award for her work with pro se divorce clinics in the Tri Cities. Several weeks ago, LAET recognized Knoxville lawyers Tom Hale and Betsy Beck at a National Philanthropy Day Celebration in Knoxville. The pair were honored for their service to the community and their longstanding support for LAET.

Court Issues Order Amending TCCA Rule 7

November 10, 2016

The Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals issued an order today amending Rule 7 of its rules. The order deletes Rule 7 in its entirety and substitutes the following language: “Motions in this Court shall be in conformity with Rule 22, Tennessee Rules of Appellate Procedure. The proponent of a motion is not required to submit a proposed order.” Get the order here.

Legal Aid of East Tennessee hosted its Annual Celebrate Pro Bono evening in Knoxville last Friday. The event, Forging Justice, celebrated local attorneys who donated civil legal services during the past year. Pro Bono Project Awards also were presented. Knox County Assistant Public Defender David Gall received the Pro Bono Advocacy Award. Hodges, Doughty & Carson was named Law Firm of the Year. University of Tennessee College of Law student Garret Ward was named Law Student of the Year. And Knoxville Community Development Corporation received the Pro Bono Partner Award. The evening concluded with the induction of Douglas A. Blaze into the Donald F. Paine Memorial Pro Bono Hall of Fame.

The Music City Community Court Expungement Clinic was Oct. 1, kicking off Celebrate Pro Bono Month.

Legal Aid of East Tennessee (LAET) hosted its Annual Celebrate Pro Bono evening in Knoxville Friday. The event, Forging Justice, celebrated local attorneys who donated civil legal services during the past year. Pro Bono Project Awards also were presented. Knox County Assistant Public Defender David Gall received the Pro Bono Advocacy Award. Hodges, Doughty & Carson was named Law Firm of the Year. University of Tennessee College of Law student Garret Ward was named Law Student of the Year. And Knoxville Community Development Corporation received the Pro Bono Partner Award. The evening concluded with the induction of Douglas A. Blaze into the Donald F. Paine Memorial Pro Bono Hall of Fame.

Three legal advice clinics will take place tomorrow as Celebrate Pro Bono Month enters its last week of activities. The Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands will hold its standing McHugh Clinic in Nashville at 8:30 a.m. The group also will hold a clinic from 9 a.m. to noon at Tennessee Tech in Cookeville. The TBA Young Lawyers Division will round out the day with a free Wills for Heroes clinic for first responders from 9 a.m. to noon in Lebanon. Get details on these and other remaining events on the Celebrate Pro Bono web page.

A Celebrate Pro Bono news item in the Oct. 13 issue of TBA Today had an incorrect address for the Oak Ridge office of the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands. The group is holding a legal advice tomorrow at 4:30 p.m. at its offices at 575 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Suite 201, Oak Ridge, TN 37830. Volunteers are still needed. For more information or to help contact Jarod Wood, 865-483-8454 or 800-483-8457.

Legal Aid of East Tennessee will celebrate Pro Bono Month with a fundraising event Oct. 28 at Ironwoods Studios, 119 Jennings Ave. in Knoxville. The evening’s festivities will begin at 6 p.m. and feature the induction of Doug Blaze into the Donald F. Paine Memorial Pro Bono Hall of Fame. Tickets are $35. Email forgingjustice@laet.org or visit the event website for more information.

Lipscomb University's Institute for Law, Justice & Society will host a legal clinic Tuesday from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at St. James Missionary Baptist Church, 600 28th Ave. N., Nashville 37209. The clinic will be advice-only clinic with no expectation that you take on continuing representation. Each volunteer will receive an informational packet that address common legal clinic questions. Contact Randy Spivey, 615-966-2503, with the institute for more information or to volunteer. See a list of all Celebrate Pro Bono events taking place this month.