Should U.S. Congress fail to pass a bill that extends government funding by midnight on Thursday, federal courts should be able to operate for another two weeks, the ABA Journal reports. A spokesperson for the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts confirmed that federal courts can keep operating until Oct. 15. Filing fees and other funding sources not dependent on congressional appropriation would allow the federal courts to remain afloat. During the last shutdown, which ended in January 2019, the federal court system estimated they could remain open for three weeks, but by delaying new hires and cutting travel, were able to operate longer than expected.

Investment banker and lawyer Forrest Shoaf has died. He was 71. Shoaf was a West Point graduate who went on to earn his law degree from Harvard Law School. He joined Bass, Berry & Sims in Nashville and left in 1995 to serve as general counsel on Lamar Alexander’s presidential campaign. He ran for the 7th Congressional District seat in 2002, coming in fifth in the Republican primary won by Marsha Blackburn. He would later refer to his campaign as a “cure for narcissism.” Shoaf later moved on to J.C. Bradford & Co. as managing director for corporate finance. Read more from the Tennessee Journal.

Memphis attorney Henri Lynne Smith died Saturday. She was 65. Smith earned her law degree from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law and for more than three decades was a successful civil lawyer. During a bid for city court judge in 1996, Smith's campaign slogan read, “Justice is blind, except for respect.” Visitation for Smith will be held tomorrow from 5 to 7 p.m. CDT at Memphis Funeral Home, 5599 Poplar Ave.

Harold “Bud” Rohen, former Criminal Court Clerk for Hamilton County, passed away on Saturday. He was 84. Rohen was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and served as court clerk until his retirement. A graveside service will be on Oct. 4 at 2 p.m. EDT at the Chattanooga National Cemetery. There will be no visitation. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to Hospice of Chattanooga in memory of Rohen. Those interested can leave a message or condolences for the family here.

The Tennessee Supreme Court last week ordered the law license of Shelby County attorney William N. Griffin be transferred to disability inactive status. Griffin cannot practice law while on this status and may return to active status upon showing the high court that his disability has been removed.

Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Cornelia "Connie" Clark lay in state today in the capitol's Old Supreme Court room. A rotation of Tennessee State Troopers watched over her casket as it was visited by friends, family and members of the state’s legal community. Her casket was draped with the state flag and a skirt of crushed deep red velvet. Clark, the first active member of the judiciary to lie in state, died last week after a short battle with cancer. Her visitation will be held tomorrow from 2 until 7 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Franklin and again from 10 to 11:30 a.m. CDT at the church Friday with the funeral to follow at noon. Read more from the Tennessean. 

In recognition of her lifetime of service, Gov. Bill Lee today issued a proclamation declaring Sept. 29 as a date to honor Clark. “Justice Cornelia A. Clark, an eighth-generation native of Williamson County, is one such notable Tennessean who will be forever remembered for her dedicated service as a judge and her role as one of our state's most influential legal minds,” the proclamation states. Read more from the Administrative Office of the Courts.

The Mindfulness in Law Society is offering legal professionals from across the country a chance to participate in live virtual guided meditations each week. The “Virtual Sits” are led by lawyers and are free of charge. Join the meditations every Monday at 2 p.m. CDT and Wednesday at 4 p.m. CDT. Find more information, teacher bios and Zoom links to join the events on the Mindfulness in Law Society’s website.

The TBA Practice Management Center offers an easy way for members to get their legal technology and law practice management questions answered at no cost by an expert at the Affinity Consulting Group. All experts are former practicing attorneys who have spent years working with law firms on best practices, technology, management and process. Email your questions to tbapmc@affinityconsulting.com.

The Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments is now accepting applications for the Court of Criminal Appeals vacancy. The vacancy was created by the retirement of Judge Alan E. Glenn, effective July 1. Attorneys who are at least 30 years of age, residents of the state for at least five years and current residents of the Western Tennessee Grand Division may submit their applications to the Administrative Office of the Courts by noon CDT on Oct. 13. Applicants will be interviewed on Nov. 9 and Nov. 10 at a location to be determined and announced soon.

The Trial Court Vacancy Commission is accepting applications for 29th Judicial District Circuit Court judge, covering Dyer and Lake counties. Successful applicants will be at least 30 years of age, residents of the state for at least five years and current residents of the 29th Judicial District. Those interested should complete the Trial Court Vacancy Commission Application and submit it to the Administrative Office of the Courts by noon CDT on Oct. 8. A hearing to consider applicants will be held on Nov. 4 at 9 a.m. CDT at a to-be-determined location in the 29th Judicial District.