The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee today honored the late Chief Judge Pamela L. Reeves with a memorial garden and portrait unveiling. Judge Travis McDonough gave remarks, followed by the unveiling by Reeves’ family, Charles, Reedy and Amanda Swanson, of the portrait by Sergei Chernikov. The Rev. Dr. Jan B. Wade and Rev. Dr. Harold Middlebrook gave the invocation and benediction and Noelle Harb Brundidge sang “Amazing Grace.” Judge Susan K. Lee introduced the memorial garden, which was planted in the courtyard of the U.S. Federal Courthouse. Remarks were also made by Judge Thomas Varlan, former Gov. Bill Haslam and Judge Clifford Shirley. Reeves’ husband, Charles Swanson, gave a response. A reception followed in the courthouse atrium. Guests included former TBA Presidents Marcy Eason, Jackie Dixon and Jonathan Steen and TBA President Sherie Edwards, President Elect Tasha Blakney, Executive Director Joycelyn Stevenson and Assistant Executive Director Barry Kolar. View pictures from the event on the TBA's website. 

The Tennessee Supreme Court recently announced it has appointed 26th Judicial District Circuit Court Judge Roy B. Morgan Jr. as senior judge, effective Sept. 1. Morgan will retire from his current position on Aug. 31 and assume his new role for a term of four years. He was first elected to the circuit court bench in 1998, winning reelection campaigns in 2006 and 2014. Prior to this position, Morgan served as a general sessions court judge in Madison County for eight years. “At the end of this term, I will have served 32 years as a member of the judiciary,” Morgan said. “What an honor it has been to serve for so many years. The Senior Judge appointment by the Supreme Court gives me an opportunity to slow down a little while still being able to continue to serve the justice system and the citizens of our state.”

The TBA Estate Planning Section will host an interactive webinar regarding Tennessee Public Chapter No. 420, which introduced numerous changes to laws regarding trusts. Signed into effect by Gov. Bill Lee in May, the legislation makes pointed revisions to oversight, administration and judicial considerations, among other concerns for trustees. Join seasoned experts Michael Goode of Lewis Thomason and Rob Malin of First Horizon Bank, who will lead the discussion and provide the information you need to stay on top of these changes. This free event is open to everyone and will take place virtually via Zoom on Sept. 14 from noon until 1 p.m. CDT. Connection info will be sent the week of the program. One hour of CLE credit is available upon request for a fee of $45 for TBA members. Register here.

Shelby County filed suit yesterday against Gov. Bill Lee for his executive order allowing parents to opt their children out of mask mandates at K-12 schools, the Daily Memphian reports. The federal suit, filed in U.S. Division for Western District of Tennessee, says Executive Order 84 should be revoked under U.S. Constitution protections under the 14th Amendment. It argues that children who are not eligible for the vaccine have no protection against exposure to students infected with COVID-19, “potentially causing them to suffer fear, uncertainty and possibly even death.” The suit also says the executive order “violates the decencies of civilized conduct” in an action that “shocks the conscience.” Shelby County is represented by attorneys from Burch, Porter and Johnson in Memphis.

On Monday, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a federal judge’s refusal to block a mask mandate in a challenge brought by a Catholic elementary school in Lansing, Michigan.

Davidson County Circuit Court Judge Hamilton Gayden confirmed this week that he will not seek reelection in 2022. Gayden was appointed in 1974 by then-Gov. Winfield Dunn and has served 47 years on the bench — the longest judicial tenure in the state. "It's been an honor and a privilege to serve the citizens of Davidson County,” Gayden said in a statement. “I will miss being on the bench but at 82 years old, it is time to hand the gavel over to a younger judge." 

Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law welcomed 127 new law students earlier this month for orientation and the first day of class. The incoming class of 1Ls hail from 28 states, come from 64 colleges and universities and are 54% female and 46% male. “This is the largest, strongest-credentialed, and most geographically diverse class in the history of LMU Law,” Vice President and Dean Matt Lyon said. “Moreover, the vast majority of our 1Ls do still come from Appalachia or other underserved communities from around the country. We are working hard to meet our mission by training a new generation of service-oriented lawyers and community leaders.” The newest class puts LMU enrollment at an all-time high with 328 total students. Read more from the law school. 

Try TBA CLE’s Mastering the Art of Depositions and E-Discovery for a crash course in understanding and conquering depositions and e-discovery. With this one-click package, viewers will learn about deposition prep and strategy, the do's and don’ts of depositions and written discovery and a panel discussion about e-discovery law and technology. Use the prepaid CLE credits that come with your TBA Complete Membership. Not a TBA member? Join now to start saving.

Eight lawyers have recently been reinstated after being suspended for failure to complete required CLE hours and other administrative violations. See the full list of those suspended and reinstated in 2021 for 2020 violations. The TBA also has records of all administrative suspensions and reinstatements going back to 2005. See all lists here.

The Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services (TALS) has announced the winners of its 2021 Access to Justice Awards. David Tarpley of Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee & the Cumberlands (LAS) is the recipient of the newly established Lifetime Achievement Award for his extraordinary body of work spanning 51 years with legal aid. The Janice M. Holder Access to Justice Award winner is Judge Rachel Bell, Davidson County General Sessions Court, in recognition of her strategic leadership to ensure the legal system is open and available to all. Wesley Dozier, Equal Justice Works Fellow at Just City and Alexandra "Alix" Rogers of LAS will be honored as New Advocates of the Year. TALS will honor the winners as part of its annual Equal Justice University (EJU) Sept. 21–23. The conference is virtual this year and the theme "Transforming Legal Services Together: Recipes for Recovery" reflects a focus on using what advocates have learned during the pandemic to adapt and strengthen Tennessee’s legal services delivery models.

Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slatery today signed his name to a letter calling for the administration of President Joe Biden to uphold a federal immigration statute that prohibits those who were previously deported from reentering the U.S. Slatery joined with 20 attorneys general, asking U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland for written assurances by Sept. 17 that the U.S. Department of Justice will defend 8 U.S.C. § 1326. The letter cites “recent patterns” of the Biden Administration “circumventing the legislative process by not defending the law.” Read more from the AG’s office.