Delivery of the September/October Tennessee Bar Journal print edition has been delayed due to problems in the paper supply chain. "The Today Show" recently looked at how the problem is affecting many publications and other products. You should receive your Journal soon, but in the meantime you can access all the articles on our website or download it directly in PDF format. 

The Tennessee Supreme Court has extended its waiver of in-person CLE requirements through 2022. The high court again extended the temporary suspension of Rule 21, sections 3.01(c) and 4.02(c), due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The order is effective through December 31, 2022. Read the full order.  

A member of DeAngelo Jelks’ state House campaign staff has accused her boss of rape, the Nashville Post reports. Jelks is the Democratic nominee in today’s special election to fill the seat of late Rep. Mike Carter, R-Ooltewah. The alleged victim filed a report with the Chattanooga Police Department on Sunday and Jelks resigned as vice chair of the Hamilton County Democratic Party that same day. He faces Republican Greg Vital in today’s special election.

Twelfth Judicial District Circuit Court Judge Justin Angel has announced he will seek re-election in 2022, the Chattanoogan reports. Angel was elected to the bench in 2014 and presides over the civil and criminal matters and jury trials of Bledsoe, Sequatchie, Rhea, Marion, Franklin and Grundy counties. Angel has twice served on the Executive Committee for the Tennessee Judicial Conference and is currently Presiding Judge of the 12th Judicial District and president of the 12th Judicial District Bar Association. He has presided over several high-profile cases and in 2019 ordered the release of Adam Braseel, a Grundy County man wrongfully convicted of murder, which gained national attention. “I hope to continue my work and life’s dedication to the law and justice for another term as a Circuit Court Judge,” Angel said.

Jeff Preptit, an attorney in the Nashville Public Defender's office, has filed to run for the open state House District 59 seat, the Nashville Post reports. That seat is currently uncontested and held by retiring Democratic Rep. Jason Potts. Preptit is the son of Haitian refugees and received his law degree from Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law. “For my entire adult life, I have been committed to serving my community and seeking to make it a better place by serving as a public defender,” Peptit told the Post. “I am exploring a run for House District 59 to continue to help cultivate an institutional structure that supports all Tennesseans and works to extend opportunity to every corner of our community and state."

A Memphis jury today heard opening arguments and witness testimony in the federal trial of state Sen. Katrina Robinson, D-Memphis, the Daily Memphian reports. Robinson was indicted last year on 20 counts of theft, embezzlement and wire fraud after allegedly misapplying federal funds intended to help students at her private business, The Healthcare Institute. Prosecutors allege Robinson used some of the grant money to finance her wedding, divorce, investment property and several other expenses totaling $600,000. Robinson’s attorneys argue that her two accountants never reported any issues with her use of the funding.

In honor of Constitution Day, the Memphis Lawyers’ Chapter of the Federalist Society will host “Originalism’s Promise: A Natural Law Account of the American Constitution” from noon until 1 p.m. CDT on Friday. Professor Lee J. Strang from the University of Toledo College of Law will host the virtual event via Zoom. Those interested in attending can register by contacting Greg Grisham or registering directly online.

Memphis Area Legal Services (MALS) has announced that local attorneys John and Lisa Bobango and their daughter, attorney Mary Lauren Bobango Stewart, will chair the 2021 Campaign for Equal Justice. John Bobango is the managing partner of Farris Bobango, where Stewart is also an associate. “The Bobango family understands the importance of sound legal representation for all persons, especially the working poor who simply cannot afford an attorney to protect their rights,” said MALS CEO Cindy Ettingoff. Money from the campaign allows the non-profit to provide legal representation to low-income individuals in a variety of legal issues.

The Tennessee Supreme Court issued an order Friday suspending two additional lawyers for non-compliance with 2020 continuing education requirements. See the list of all lawyers suspended for CLE non-compliance in 2021 and those who have been reinstated.

The Tennessee Lawyers’ Association for Women (TLAW) recently elected new officers for the 2021-2022 year. According to its Facebook page, new officers are: Psonya Hackett, president; Julie Battacharya Peak, president-elect; Amy Farrar, recording secretary; Sunny Eaton, corresponding secretary; Linda Knight, treasurer; and Chelsea Conner, West Tennessee director at large. The officers were sworn in last week by Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Page.