The new federal eviction moratorium, issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday, likely does not apply in Tennessee, the Tennessean reports. The moratorium covers counties with "substantial or high" community transmission — which currently includes all but one of Tennessee's counties — but it also includes a provision that it will not apply in areas where application is barred by federal court order. The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts reportedly has issued guidance instructing judges that the moratorium is not effective in the state due to a ruling in July from the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals. Zachary Oswald, managing attorney for the Legal Aid Society, tells the paper that tenants facing eviction should apply for rent relief immediately and appear on their court date to explain their situation. Those in Davidson County can take advantage of the L.E.G.A.C.Y. Housing Resource Diversionary Court, which offers landlords an alternative to eviction. A list of resources regarding eviction also is available from the Administrative Office of the Courts.

The Knoxville Bar Association (KBA) will hold a Bench & Bar Celebration on Sept. 8 to recognize judges and lawyers for their commitment to justice during the COVID-19 pandemic. A short program, including recognition of local judges, will begin at 6:45 p.m. EDT. The event will be held on the outdoor terrace of the Knoxville Convention Center. The cost per person is $20 until Sept. 3 when it increases to $25. Registration deadline is 5 p.m. EDT on Sept. 7. No walk-in registrations will be permitted. The event replaces the traditional Supreme Court Dinner this year.

Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, is asking questions about Davidson County Election Commission Chair Jim DeLanis’ recent departure from Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz, the Nashville Post reports. DeLanis said recently that he was fired because of “threats and pressure” from two clients related to his actions as commission chair. For several months Delanis has been trying to get an anti-tax referendum on the ballot, despite repeated judicial decisions that the proposal is unconstitutional. The firm has said that Delanis retired. McNally is now seeking any documents and correspondence related to DeLanis, the Election Commission and 4 Good Government— the group pushing for the referendum — from Metro Nashville Public Schools to determine if it pressured the firm to dismiss DeLanis.

Robin Derryberry of Chattanooga has been re-elected as chair of the Tennessee Human Rights Board of Commissioners, Chattanoogan.com reports. Derryberry was first appointed to the commission in 2015 by former Speaker of the House Beth Harwell. She has served as chair of the board since 2019. Two other members also were re-elected. Commissioner Bill Martin of Nashville will continue to serve as vice-chair, while Commissioner Scott Arnwine of Memphis will continue to serve as secretary. Both were appointed by former Gov. Bill Haslam. The commission's role is to enforce the state’s anti-discrimination laws which prohibit discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodation based on race, creed, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability and age.

Chattanooga attorney Mike Dumitru yesterday announced his campaign to be the next circuit court judge in Hamilton County, Chattanooga.com reports. He will seek the Republican Party nomination to replace Circuit Court Judge Jeff Hollingsworth, who recently announced his retirement. Dumitru currently is a partner at Miller & Martin, where he focuses on state and federal litigation. He earned his law degree from Vanderbilt University School of Law. Since joining the profession he has served as a bar examiner, board member of the Federal Bar Association Chattanooga Chapter and a member of the TBA’s Leadership Law program. Dumitru says his status as first generation American has given him a unique perspective on the importance of a strong judiciary that strives to properly apply the law for the benefit of the community.

Caseloads are too high, turnover is constant and morale has reached new lows, according to a survey of workers responsible for protecting Tennessee children from abuse and neglect, Tennessee Lookout reports. The internal Department of Children’s Services survey included scores of comments about working conditions, including unmanageable caseloads that impact workers’ ability to adequately do their jobs.  Sen. Heidi Campbell, D-Nashville, and Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville, who obtained the report, called for legislative action to cap the number of cases each worker handles. DCS has come under scrutiny recently for letting children sleep in offices and for licensing a Chattanooga-based facility that housed migrant children.

Tennessee Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton was in Memphis today to hold a roundtable on criminal justice reform with Shelby County leaders, News Channel 5 reports. Sexton, R-Crossville, was to meet with Mayor Jim Strickland, Memphis Police Chief C.J. Davis, Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner and District Attorney Amy Weirich to discuss legislative priorities for the next session, including truth in sentencing laws. Strickland has called for truth in sentencing laws for violent crimes, which means those convicted would serve their full sentence. Critics of such laws say they contribute to mass incarceration. Watch the group’s press conference on News 5’s Facebook page.

A coalition of media companies is seeking to unveil the jurors who found former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin guilty of murdering George Floyd, Law360 reports. The companies note that the verdict did not spark unrest as feared, which means it is safe to identify the jurors in one of the most-watched trials in American history. The judge overseeing the case took great pains during the trial to keep jurors' identities anonymous. He since has said he would release their names and maybe email addresses when it is “safe to do so.” 

Volunteer attorneys are needed for the Shelby County Expungement & Court Costs Clinic set for tomorrow in Memphis. The clinic will offer help with dismissal, diversion and conviction expungements, voter restoration and court cost waivers and covers charges filed in Shelby County only. To volunteer for the clinic sign up here.

The Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee & the Cumberlands will hold one phone clinic and two in-person legal advice clinics next week for those with questions about housing and renters’ rights, bankruptcy, medical bills, debt collection, domestic violence, SNAP benefits and unemployment benefits. The phone clinic will take place Tuesday from 2-3:30 p.m. CDT. The in-person clinics will take place Wednesday from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. CDT at Operation Stand Down Nashville, 1125 12th Ave. S., and Thursday from 3-4:30 p.m. CDT at Greenhouse Ministries, 309 S. Spring St., Murfreesboro 37130. To help answer questions, contact Andrae Crismon or Kendra Cheek or call 615-780-7131.