The Tennessee Department of Correction now has a suicide prevention hotline that friends and family of inmates can call if they are concerned about their loved one. The department says calls will be routed to its Central Communication Center, which is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the Associated Press reports. Analysts at the center will notify the facility where the inmate is housed so intervention can take place immediately. The hotline number is 1-833-421-SAVE.

Legal Aid of East Tennessee is seeking full-time staff attorneys for its offices in Chattanooga and Knoxville. In Chattanooga, the attorney will work with the organization’s Eviction Prevention Initiative focusing on housing litigation. In Knoxville, the attorney will handle general litigation with a focus on housing. To apply, submit a letter of interest, resume, writing sample and three references to Deborah Yeomans-Barton, Human Resources, Legal Aid of East Tennessee, 311 West Walnut St., Johnson City, TN 37604 or by email to dyeomans@laet.org.

For two days in a row last week, court watchers with Just City were denied access to Shelby County criminal courtrooms, the Commercial Appeal reports. The sheriff's office says the denial was an error and the issue has been rectified. On Thursday and Friday, advocates tried to enter courtrooms and were barred by sheriffs’ deputies. A spokesperson for the sheriff’s office said deputies had been instructed during the pandemic to keep the number of people inside the courtrooms to a minimum. “Deputies have now been reminded to allow court watch advocates access to courtrooms," the spokeman said.

The Tennessee Supreme Court issued an order Friday amending Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 21, section 8.02(a), to require that all CLE providers offering education for lawyers in Tennessee file credits electronically. The order also changes the filing fees. Providers will now pay a fee of $2 per approved credit hour for each attendee. The rule previously set a rate of $1 per credit hour for those filed electronically and $2 per credit hour for those filed by paper. The rule took effect immediately. Remember you can earn all of your CLE with TBA, which will also handle all filing for you!

Davidson County lawyer Michael Lloyd Freeman was reinstated to the practice of law today. Freeman was suspended on June 21 for three years, with three months to be served on active suspension and the rest on probation. As a condition of reinstatement, Freeman was directed to obtain an evaluation from the Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program and engage a practice monitor, who is to meet with Freeman on a monthly basis to review basic office procedures such as scheduling and maintenance of case deadlines and use of written communications and fee agreements. The practice monitor is directed to send monthly reports to the Board of Professional Responsibility.

The YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee will hold the next installment in its "Stand Against Racism" series on Oct. 20 from noon to 1 p.m. CDT. The session will focus on the criminalization of abuse survivors and women of color. Speakers include Davidson County General Sessions Judge Ana Escobar.  Register here to attend the virtual program. Questions can be directed to Amber Hale, 615-983-5129.

Former state Rep. Jim Coley has died, The Tennessee Journal reports. The Bartlett Republican served in the House of Representatives from 2006 to 2019. He did not seek re-election last year after battling various illnesses. A former public school teacher, Coley formed strong friendships across the political spectrum and was known for his work against human trafficking. At the time of his retirement, the Commercial Appeal reported he had been diagnosed with early stage dementia. The Memphis Flyer reports he had been receiving chemotherapy for myeloma cancer. Funeral arrangements are pending.

Legal Aid of East Tennessee, in partnership with McNabb Center, YWCA of Knoxville and the Tennessee Valley and the Knoxville Family Justice Center, will hold a free legal advice clinic for victims of domestic violence on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon EDT. The clinic will be held at the Knoxville Family Justice Center, 400 Harriet Tubman St., Knoxville 37915. Masks will be required and social distancing observed. Those interested in volunteering should contact Caitlin Torney at Legal Aid of East Tennessee ctorney@laet.org.

Knoxville area legal organizations will hold an in-person veterans’ legal advice clinic this Wednesday from noon to 2 p.m. EDT at the Knox County Public Defender’s Community Law Office, 1101 Liberty St. Those seeking advice should preregister at 865-637-0484. Lawyers who would like to volunteer can sign up online. Masks are required. Volunteers also must accept the terms of the KBA COVID-19 safety acknowledgement and liability waiver. Volunteers may choose to continue volunteering by telephone.

Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slatery recently issued an opinion on whether county mayors have the authority to issue county-wide mandates, and he says they do not in most circumstances, WCYB reports. The opinion came at the request of State Rep. Robin Smith, R-Hixson, who said she wanted guidance on whether health-related county orders such as mask or vaccine mandates could come from county mayors. Slatery said only the leading county health officer has the authority to issue county-wide health mandates and even then, the officer could be limited if the mandate runs counter to state law.