Shelbyville lawyer James “Jim” Cannon Burns Jr. died Dec. 1 at the age of 100. Originally from McKenzie, Burns attended Vanderbilt University and served in World War II for three and a half years before earning a law degree in 1948 from Vanderbilt University Law School. He opened his first law practice in Shelbyville and served that community until being recalled to active duty during the Korean War as an electronics engineer. Following the war, Burns practiced law in Memphis for three years but returned to Shelbyville in 1955 and practiced law there until moving to Florida in 1998. He died at the Penney Retirement Community outside of Jacksonville, Florida. A celebration of life service was held today in Florida. Memorial donations may be made to Penney Retirement Community, 3495 Hoffman St., Green Cove Springs, FL 32043.

The TBA's popular ethics CLE with Brian Faughnan of Lewis Thomason, normally known as the Ethics Roadshow, is back as the "Homeshow" with two days of virtual content starting tomorrow and continuing on Dec. 14. Each day will feature a one-hour program that utilizes a game format to delve into 30 unique topics of ethical discussion. Attendees may register for Day 1, Day 2 or both days.

The Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands will hold four clinics next week. A phone clinic will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. to provide general advice. The first 15 callers will be accepted. On Wednesday, LAS will hold a clinic specifically for veterans from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Operation Stand Down, 1125 12th Ave. S. Nashville 37203. On Thursday, a clinic will be held from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at Greenhouse Ministries, 309 S. Spring St., Murfreesboro 37130. And on Saturday, a clinic will be held from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at the McHugh Clinic, 2005 12th Ave. S., Nashville 37204. All times central. To volunteer contact Kendra Cheek, 615-780-7131. See all December clinics.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation Legal Division is looking to hire an associate counsel to provide advice and assistance regarding contract and procurement matters. Responsibilities will include drafting contracts, negotiating contract modifications, reviewing professional service contract procurement documents, attending Fiscal Review Committee hearings, representing the department in administrative contested case hearings, and performing legal research on internal matters and assisting the Office of the Attorney General regarding claims as assigned. The position is based in Nashville and includes a hybrid work schedule. Interested candidates should email leslie.south@tn.gov by Dec. 8.

The Administrative Office of the Courts reports that four judges recently participated in swearing-in ceremonies for their children. On Nov. 16, Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Jeff Bivins swore in Meredith Joy Maroney after her father, 26th Judicial District Chancellor Steven W. Maroney, presented the motion to grant her admission. Bivins also swore in Paul Estep, who was presented to the court by his father, Claiborne County General Sessions Court Judge Roger Estep. On Nov. 17, Hamilton County Chancellor Pamela Fleenor administered the oath of office to her daughter, Christina Michelle Fleenor. On Nov. 29, Hamilton County Circuit Court Judge L. Marie Williams administered the oath to her son, Jonathan Cleary, after he was announced by his father and uncle who are both attorneys. Read reflections from the judges.

Knox County lawyer Melvin Jacob Werner was suspended from the practice of law today after the Tennessee Supreme Court found that he misappropriated funds and posed a threat of substantial harm to the public. The suspension will remain in effect until modified or dissolved by the court.

The deadline for submitting nominations for the TBA’s Public Service Awards has been extended to Dec. 8. The annual awards recognize outstanding commitment to access to justice in three categories: work performed by an attorney employed by an organization primarily involved in providing legal representation to the indigent; pro bono work performed by a private attorney; and a strong commitment to pro bono service by a Tennessee law student or recent graduate. Nominators are welcome to include supplemental information including letters or videos of support. For more information, contact TBA Director of Access to Justice & Special Projects Liz Todaro.   

The Council of the American Bar Association’s Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar has released a revised proposal designed to bolster the existing diversity and inclusion standard for law schools, the ABA Journal reports. When the council approved preliminary revisions to the ABA Standards and Rules of Procedure for Approval of Law Schools in May, it included a provision requiring law schools to take “effective actions that lead to progress” to further the goals of the standard. Based on comments filed, it has now issued a revised proposal that outlines three steps law schools must take. They are: providing full access to the study of law and membership in the profession to all persons, particularly underrepresented groups; providing data and agreeing to be assessed through the ABA Annual Questionnaire; and submitting to an annual assessment of the inclusivity and equity of their educational environments. The new revisions will now be open for comment.

Criminal justice reform advocate and former public defender Keeda Haynes will discuss and sign copies of her book “Bending the Arc: My Journey from Prison to Politics” on Sunday at the Williamson County Library. The event will run from 3-4:30 p.m. CST, the Williamson Herald reports. Arrested while in college, Haynes spent four years in prison for helping her boyfriend traffic drugs. She has maintained that she did not know the nature of the work. After her release, Haynes earned a law degree. The book traces her journey through the prison system and into politics while also exploring criminal justice reform, racial justice, solution-based change and community activism. The book is available at www.keedahaynes.com.

Hamilton County Criminal Court Clerk Vince Dean recently announced that his office has streamlined the process for criminal expungement, Chattanoogan.com reports. Beginning Jan. 3, 2022, residents of Hamilton County can go to one office for an expungement regardless of whether the original case was in the Circuit Criminal Court or General Sessions Criminal Court. Currently, residents must visit the court in which the crime was adjudicated. Dean said the move is part of an effort to make court processes more efficient. The office also recently opened a one-stop payment center where county residents can pay fines and court costs for both criminal courts.