The Shelby County District Attorney's Office is now hiring, and looking for lawyers who believe in equal justice under the law. Those with litigation experience, particularly in the areas of criminal justice, civil rights, or both, are encouraged to apply. The office reports that this “is an opportunity to get in on the ground floor of a transformative reform effort to remake the office in line with best practices across the country.” The office is seeking candidates with a range of experience, from recent law school graduates to veteran lawyers. To read the full job posting and get instructions for applying visit the TBA’s JobLink platform.

Don't miss the opportunity to catch up on ethics CLE hours on Sept. 29 with three virtual programs hosted by the “CLE Performer” Stuart Teicher. From 9-10 a.m., Teicher’s will present on mastering the art of correspondence, Then from 10:30-11:30 a.m., he will focus on the question of Can Lawyers Really Do That? Finally, from noon to 1 p.m., join Teicher as he highlights important ethics lessons from “My Cousin Vinny." Attend all three or just the ones you want to purchase. All times central.

Members from across the state made their way to the Tennessee Bar Association today to tour the organization’s new office space and talk with staff and fellow members. The TBA moved to the new office, located at 3310 West End Ave., Ste. 590 in Nashville, earlier this summer after 20 years at its downtown location. 

Lincoln Memorial University is seeking to hire an Assistant Professor of Law in its Academic and Bar Success Program in Knoxville. The program is designed to benefit all students by enabling them to succeed throughout law school, preparing them to pass the bar exam, and equipping them to practice law at the highest levels. As one of four full-time faculty members in the department, the assistant professor will teach courses designed to introduce, reinforce and develop skills to enable students to be successful in law school and beyond. Academic and Bar Success faculty also work with students one-on-one to provide individualized instruction and coaching, as well as teach courses outside of the Academic and Bar Success Program as resources allow.

The TBA Young Lawyers Division is partnering with the Tennessee Supreme Court Access to Justice Initiative, Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, Legal Aid of East Tennessee, Belmont Law and others to offer a virtual debt relief clinic to Tennessee citizens. In celebration of Celebrate Pro Bono Month in October, the next clinic will be held on Oct. 8 from 9 to 11 a.m. CDT. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Charles Walker will begin the clinic with an overview about bankruptcy. Clinic clients then will be paired with volunteer attorneys in break-out Zoom rooms for counsel and advice about debt relief options, with referral for pro bono representation for those who qualify for chapter 7 bankruptcy. If you are able to serve on October 8 from 9 to 11 CDT, please sign up here. For questions, please contact Alix Rogers at Alexandra.rogers@belmont.edu.

A group of 15 Roane County middle and high school students entered school this fall after completing an eight-week court ordered juvenile justice program. The Child Attitude Motivation Program (CAMP) is designed to "motivate some of our local youth who grow up in bad circumstances or who were making their circumstances worse," program founder and Roane County General Sessions Court Judge Terry Stevens says. CAMP works with community partners to teach students valuable life skills and prevention education, dealing with such topics as drug and alcohol abuse, suicide prevention, the importance of teen mental health and character building. It operates as a partnership with Roane County Anti-Drug Coalition (RCADC) and Roane County Juvenile Courts and Probation. Read more from the Administrative Office of the Courts.

Dickson County Chancery Court Clerk and Master Nancy Miller is set to retire this week after 50 years of service, the Tennessean reports. Miller was hired in 1972 and spent nearly five years as chief deputy to former Clerk and Master Jesse Miller. She was sworn in by Chancellor Alex Darnell in 1977 at the age of 26, becoming one of, if not the youngest clerk and master in the state. The 23rd Judicial Circuit Judges David Wolfe, Larry Wallace and Lockert-Mash have announced the appointment of Miller’s Chief Deputy Lynn Collins as the next clerk and master for Dickson County.

Knox County lawyer Daniel Forrest Wilkins was today temporarily suspended from the practice of law by the Tennessee Supreme Court. Wilkins failed to respond to the Board of Professional Responsibility regarding a complaint of misconduct, resulting in immediate summary suspension of his law license. Wilkins must cease representing existing clients by Oct. 15.

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti is joining 17 attorneys general in urging President Joe Biden to classify fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction in response to the increase in overdose deaths nationwide. “Fentanyl has caused too many tragic deaths on an individual level and, as we have seen overseas, it can also be weaponized to cause mass casualties,” Skrmetti said. He called on “governments at every level” to take a “broad-spectrum approach” to protect Americans from the drug. According to the AG’s office, classifying fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction would require the Department of Homeland Security and the Drug Enforcement Administration to coordinate a response with other agencies, including the Department of Defense. Read the letter from the attorneys general.

The University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law will host the second annual Counselor’s Closet Clothing Drive on Sept. 20 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. CDT. The event, co-sponsored by the Memphis Bar Association, aims to help all law students gain access to professional clothing. Donated clothing should be gently used, dry cleaned and ready to wear. To make a donation, drive to the back of the law school at 3720 Alumni Ave. and a volunteer will meet you and pick up your donation.