The American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee has announced that after a nationwide search, Nashville attorney Kathy Sinback has been selected to lead the organization as its new executive director, beginning Sept. 6. “From her work seeking clemency for Cyntoia Brown Long to her role in the remarkable transformation of the Davidson County Juvenile Court, Kathy is a proven leader and well-respected advocate in our state,” said ACLU-TN Board Chair Paula Williams. Sinback has served as the Davidson County Juvenile Court administrator since 2014. She will replace Hedy Weinberg, who led the organization for more than 37 years. Read the full press release.

Former Federal Judge and Prosecutor Harry S. "Sandy" Mattice, Jr., who recently stepped down from the federal bench in East Tennessee, has announced the opening of The Mattice Group, a law firm with offices in Chattanooga. The opening marks Mattice’s return to the private practice of law after 20 years of service in the executive, legislative and judicial branches of the federal government. The firm will focus its practice in the areas of investigations, complex civil litigation, white collar criminal defense, crisis management and communications, governmental affairs advocacy and mediation. Read the full press release.

Incumbent and newly-elected Knox County judges and chancellors are among judicial officials being sworn in during a ceremony at 3 p.m. EDT Aug. 31, on the second floor of the Supreme Court Building at 505 Main St., Knoxville. Knoxville Bar Association President Jason H. Long will preside over the Sixth Judicial District event. Supreme Court Justice Sharon G. Lee will swear in 13 of the judges, Public Defender Eric Lutton and court clerks Charles D. Susano III and Mike Hammond. Chancellor John F. Weaver will swear in J. Scott Griswold as the new clerk & master. District Attorney General Charme Allen will have the oath administered by Judge Steve Sword. A reception will follow the ceremony. Guests are asked to register for the event.

U.S District Judge Travis McDonough has agreed to grant class-action status to a lawsuit regarding the April 2018 raid of Southeastern Provision slaughterhouse in Grainger County, the Tennessee Lookout reports. According to the ruling, there is "ample evidence" to show that agents targeted the workers in what turned out to be "the largest immigration raid in recent Tennessee history." Jamie Satterfield reports that "court records show agents and federal prosecutors had been meeting for months prior to the search warrant request to plan a round-up of Latinos working at the plant." 

The TBA is hitting the road and coming to Covington! This three-hour program on Sept. 21 is designed to provide attorneys with the latest developments in multiple areas of the law. Kickoff the afternoon with a lunch and learn networking session with TBA leadership. Register here.

Do you want to help domestic violence and crime victims while working in a collaborative environment? Looking for a job that is more than just a job and truly makes a difference in people’s lives? Wanting to use your law license but seeking work/life balance? West Tennessee Legal Services has an immediate opening for an attorney in its Victim Rights Project. The attorney will provide civil legal assistance to domestic violence and crime victims. Litigation experience and prior work with victims or low-income communities is preferred but not required. Read more and apply on the JobLink portal.

The TBA Animal Law Section will host a free webinar on the relationship between animal cruelty and family violence on Aug. 23 from noon to 1 p.m. CDT. Presented by Erin Aiello, a law enforcement trainer with the Humane Society of the United States, and University of Tennessee College of Law Professor Joan Heminway, the event will provide insights into intimate partner violence cases and offer strategies to help keep people and their pets safe. The free event is open to everyone but registration is required. Connection information will be sent the week of the program. One hour of CLE credit is available for TBA members for a fee of $50. Contact jword@tnbar.org about that option.

Former U.S. Sen. Bob Corker will lead a statewide, bipartisan coalition of elected leaders urging Tennesseans to approve a ballot measure that would delete a reference to slavery from the Tennessee Constitution. The “Vote Yes on 3” campaign is aimed at removing language that allows slavery and involuntary servitude as punishment for a criminal conviction. The exact provision reads: “That slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, are forever prohibited by this State.” The amendment will be on the Nov. 8 ballot, Tennessee Lookout reports.

A retirement gathering for Sixth Judicial District Clerk and Master Howard G. Hogan will take place Sept. 1. The event will be held from 8-10 a.m. EDT in the Probate Courtroom of the City-County Building, 400 W. Main St., Knoxville 37902. Light refreshments will be served. Hogan has served in the role since 1998.

Vanderbilt University Law School has added two new faculty members for the upcoming academic year. Sean Seymore joins the school as Centennial Professor of Law. Seymore is an expert in patent law whose research focuses on how patent law and policy should evolve in response to advances in science and technology. He previously taught at the school from 2010 to 2021. In addition, Francesca L. Procaccini joins the faculty as assistant professor of law. She will teach constitutional law and federal courts. Procaccini most recently was with Harvard Law School, where she focused on political rights and the courts. She previously oversaw the Media Freedom and Information Access Clinic at Yale Law School, worked in the U.S. Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and was a legal fellow in the White House Counsel’s Office.