Dickson County Juvenile Court Judge Michael Meise is putting out a call for lawyers who are interested in taking appointed cases from this court. The court, located in Charlotte, is about 40 miles west of Nashville. Those interested should contact Judge Meise at 615-789-0250 or judge.michael.meise@tncourts.gov.

Memphis lawyer and former TBA president Lucian Pera, a partner at Adams and Reese, is one of two candidates running for American Bar Association (ABA) president-elect. Pera and Mary Smith of Illinois appeared before the ABA House of Delegates Nominating Committee yesterday during the ABA Annual Meeting in Chicago to make their case why they are the best candidate for the job. Both have served as ABA officers. Pera has served seven years on the ABA Board of Governors, including three as treasurer. Smith also served on the board for seven years and as secretary for three. The 69-member nominating committee will make its recommendation to the full House of Delegates for a final selection at the 2022 ABA Midyear Meeting, scheduled for next February in Seattle. Read more about their presentations to the nominating committee in this ABA press release. Pera outlines his credentials in this Linkedin post.

A state expert must complete her intellectual disability evaluation of Pervis Payne before a scheduled Dec. 13 hearing or the state of Tennessee must find a new expert, Judge Paula Skahan told the state's attorney at a hearing Friday. Skahan issued the rebuke after learning that the state's expert, clinical psychologist Dr. Tucker Johnson, might not be unable to complete her evaluation by December. “If you can’t do it, I need someone who can do it," Skahan said. "This is moving very slowly. Very slowly. I need to know what she needs and when it's going to be done." Payne's attorneys are currently petitioning the court that he is ineligible for the death penalty because of an intellectual disability, the Commercial Appeal reports.

TBA delegates to the American Bar Association annual meeting today got personal briefings from a number of ABA leaders, including House of Delegates Chair Barbara Howard and ABA Executive Director Jack Rives at the Tennessee delegation breakfast in Chicago. The delegation, led by former TBA President John Tarpley, also hosted a reception for about 100 lawyers and officials from across the country Sunday afternoon. That event is jointly supported by the University of Tennessee College of Law, the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, the Belmont University College of Law and the Vanderbilt University Law School.

With COVID-19 numbers rising in the community and in Davidson County jails, the sheriff’s office has announced that until further notice, individuals required to serve “weekend time” should not report. Instead, they should call 615-862-8367 to reschedule. Currently, 66 inmates are testing positive and the number of inmates on restriction is 481, Mainstreet Nashville reports.

As part of its special report, “The Future of Law,” the Nashville Business Journal talked to a number of lawyers about what areas of the practice are primed for growth. They highlighted health care, the growing hemp/marijuana industries, data privacy and cybersecurity, labor and employment, real estate and immigration. Read the comments from all 13 lawyers interviewed.

Knoxville area legal organizations will hold an in-person veterans’ legal advice clinic on Aug. 11 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 optional but should be worn pursuant to CDC guidelines. Volunteers also must accept the terms of the KBA COVID-19 Safety Acknowledgement - Liability Waiver and Release of Claims. Volunteers may choose to continue volunteering by telephone.

The TBA is offering a free webinar on Aug. 24 from noon to 1 p.m. CDT to help lawyers intervene with clients who have substance abuse problems. The program is designed to provide insight into the diagnosis process and how lawyers can help clients take ownership of their lives. The webinar also will highlight the value of building and collaborating with a team of specialized professionals to guide long-term success. Panelists include Arthur Westinghouse, an intervention specialist, family recovery coach, and alcohol and drug counselor; and Nashville lawyer Karl Warden, who has been recognized for his estate planning work. TBA members may request one hour of CLE credit for a $45 fee.

The TBA Disability Law Section will holds its 2021 Forum virtually on Oct. 1. Emma Drozdowski Webb with Drozdowski & Rabin in Knoxville is producing the program. Webb is certified as a specialist in Social Security Disability law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and a member of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (NOSSCR). She also serves on the Disability Law Section’s executive council. Watch for more details coming soon.

The TBA Disability Law Section will holds its 2021 Forum virtually on Oct. 1 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. CDT. The program will cover a variety of topics applicable to disability law practitioners, including a DDS update, how to prepare for a successful grid case, plus tips and tricks on how to enhance your disability law practice both online and in person. Attendees may ask questions through the chat feature during the live virtual program. Register for the event by 7 a.m. CDT on Oct. 1 to receive the link to join the Zoom Webinar.