Convicted murderer Abu-Ali Abdur’Rahman had his execution vacated for a second time today, the Tennessean reports. Davidson County Criminal Court Judge Monte Watkins overturned the death sentence after the defendant pleaded guilty to three high-level offenses, for which he will serve three life sentences. Abdur’Rahman was convicted of first-degree premeditated murder and sentenced to death for the 1986 slaying of Patrick Daniels, a crime that also left a woman brutally stabbed. In 2019, Judge Watkins issued a similar ruling after claims of racial discrimination in jury selection came to light. But that decision was overturned by the Court of Criminal Appeals on procedural issues. In today's decision, Watkins addressed the requirements set out by the appeals court. Davidson County District Attorney General Glenn R. Funk, who brokered the deal, said in court: "The state does have an interest in the finality of convictions and sentences … That is outweighed by interest of justice, and in some situations by recognition of the sanctity of human life." Abdur’Rahman, who was previously scheduled to be executed on April 16, 2020, will not return to death row.

The Vanderbilt Undergraduate Mock Trial Team will host the Grand Ole Tournament in Nashville on Nov. 13 and 14. The collegiate mock trial competition will take place at the Davidson County Courthouse and volunteers are needed to serve as both scoring judges and presiding judges. Rounds will be held on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2:30 to 6 p.m.; and on Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1:30 to 5 p.m. All times central. Coffee, breakfast and lunch will be provided. Sign up online to volunteer. For questions, contact indraneel.pai@vanderbilt.edu or call 630-492-6578.

The Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments is now accepting applications for the Tennessee Supreme Court vacancy created by the passing of Justice Cornelia A. Clark. Applicants must be licensed attorneys, at least 35 years of age, residents of the state for five years, and residents of the Eastern or Middle Grand Divisions. Applicants must complete the designated application and submit it to the Administrative Office of the Courts by noon CST on Nov. 19. Applicants will be interviewed on either Dec. 8 or Dec. 9 at a location to be determined.

Tennessee Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Mike Bell, R-Riceville, announced today that he will not be a candidate for re-election in 2022. Bell was first elected to the state House of Representatives in 2006 before moving to the Senate in 2010, the Tennessee Journal reports. He has served in several leadership positions during his legislative tenure. In addition to chairing the Judiciary Committee, he led the Senate Government Operations Committee from 2012 to 2018. In the House, he chaired the Children and Family Subcommittee and was freshman leader in the Republican Caucus. In announcing the news, Bell said, “It has been the highest honor of my life to serve in the Tennessee General Assembly. Just as I knew it was time for me to run for office in 2006, I feel it is now time to move to the next chapter of my life and pass the leadership mantle for this district to a new state senator.”

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has appointed Denise E. Barnett as the newest judge on the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Tennessee. She was selected from a field of five applicants. Barnett took the oath of office today, the bankruptcy court reports. Prior to her appointment, Barnett was a trial attorney with the Department of Justice’s United States Trustee Program. From 1997 to 2002, she was in private practice at the Florida firms of Pinkston & Pinkston and Smith Hulsey & Busey. Barnett began her career with a clerkship at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida. She earned her law degree from the William Mitchell College of Law (now known as Mitchell Hamline School of Law) in Minnesota.

The Office of the State Architect (OSA) is seeking a director of compliance to support its interactions with the State Building Commission and review various legal documents for compliance with commission policy and procedure. The position also supervises the OSA compliance officer and monitors legislation affecting the office. A law degree and license to practice law in Tennessee is required, as is a minimum of three years employment in a legal, compliance or audit role, preferably in a government, real estate, design or construction. Read the full job description. To apply, submit a resume to Treasury.Resumes@tn.gov.

Vonda M. Laughlin has been named the new associate dean for distance education at Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law. In her new role, Laughlin will coordinate the school’s distance education offerings, while maintaining teaching responsibilities in business law-related courses such as contracts and sales, secured transactions and insurance law. Laughlin earned her law degree from the school and then a master of law in insurance from the University of Connecticut School of Law. She served as a judicial clerk to Chief U.S. District Court Judge Thomas G. Hull and later practiced with the New York-based firm that is now Milberg, Coleman, Bryson, Phillips & Grossman, and with the Knoxville firm of Butler, Vines & Babb. She also served as in-house counsel for Permanent General Insurance Company.

Benton County attorney Terry Leonard has announced his intention to run for one of two 24th Judicial District Circuit Court seats, The Paris Post-Intelligencer reports. Leonard is seeking the Republican nomination for the Division 2 seat currently occupied by Judge Donald Parish, who is set to retire at the end of the term. Leonard earned his law degree in 1986 from the Nashville School of Law. According to his campaign, he has practiced both civil and criminal defense law in 40 of Tennessee’s 96 counties. In addition to his legal practice, Leonard is a small business owner and farmer.

The Southeast Tennessee Lawyers Association for Women (SETLAW) recently presented its annual Lioness of the Bar Award to Hamilton County Clerk & Master Robin Miller. Those who tried to roast Miller during the ceremony, however, came up short, the Hamilton County Herald reports. “Robin is a difficult person to roast,” said Circuit Court Judge Marie Williams. “She’s well-spoken, incredibly kind, gracious, beautiful and cares deeply about her fellow human beings and her profession.” Miller began her career in Chattanooga as a child abuse investigator, earned her law degree, and became the first female litigator at Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott & Cannon. She spent 20 years there before moving to Spears, Moore, Rebman & Williams. She was named clerk & master in 2014.

Gov. Bill Lee on Friday extended Tennessee's state of emergency for the coronavirus for two weeks, the Tennessean reports. Lee also extended an executive order that allows parents to opt their children out of mask regulations at schools, regardless of local restrictions. Lee said he extended the orders by two weeks while he analyzes the impact of a number of bills recently passed by the state legislature. The orders will now expire on Nov. 19.