Tennessee veterans are underrepresented in the Veterans Affairs’ Department (VA) claims and appeals process, but a new three-hour CLE set for Aug. 12 is designed to encourage VA accreditation. The live virtual program will cover representation before the VA, claims procedures, benefits eligibility, right to appeal, disability compensation, dependency, indemnity compensation and pension benefits. Speakers include James R. Drysdale with the VA Office of General Counsel in Washington, D.C.

The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) is now accepting applications for a three-judge panel law fellow. This position will work directly with the judges appointed to the panels to assist in the creation, development and implementation of process and procedure. Work will involve professional legal services including research, analysis, and opinion drafting as well as research of a variety of legal issues, recommendations as to the case management and organization and development of additional procedures for the panel system as needed. Read more about the position and how to apply on the TBA’s JobLink page.

The Justice Department is moving forward with plans for a second trial of former University of Tennessee professor Dr. Anming Hu, the Knoxville News Sentinel reports. Hu, a nanotechnology expert, was accused of being a spy for the Chinese military and was charged with fraud by the Justice Department under the Trump administration. A deadlocked jury failed to convict the former professor during June trial. Assistant U.S. Attorney Casey Arrowood has filed a one-page notice in U.S. District Court in Knoxville, signaling that the Justice Department intends to try again. 

Thirteenth Judicial District Public Defender Craig Fickling last week was honored for his recent term as president of the Tennessee District Public Defenders Conference, the Crossville Chronicle reports. Members of Fickling’s staff and state Sen. Paul Bailey, R-Sparta, gathered to present the chief district public defender with a framed joint resolution recognizing his leadership. “Mr. Fickling epitomizes the spirit and commitment that are characteristic of a true Tennessean,” the resolution reads, in part. “We find it appropriate to acknowledge and applaud Mr. Fickling on his dedication to serving the people of the state.” Fickling is also an active member of the 13th Judicial District Recovery and Veterans courts, working cooperatively with judges and prosecutors in assisting those recovering from drug and alcohol addiction.

Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, last night said he will ask Gov. Bill Lee for a special legislative session if school districts mandate masks or close due to the recent spread of the COVID-19 virus, the Tennessean reports. Sexton has previously disapproved of school vouchers, but said in a news conference that if schools were to shut down, he would “ask the governor for legislation to allow those parents in those school districts to take their children and take their money and with school choice go wherever they need to go."

The Trial Court Vacancy Commission today forwarded the names of three attorneys to Gov. Bill Lee to be considered for the 24th Judicial District Circuit Court vacancy, which covers Benton, Carroll, Decatur, Hardin and Henry counties. J. Brent Bradberry, Vance Walker Dennis and Charles L. Trotter were selected for further consideration after a public hearing and interviews. The Administrative Office of the Courts has more on each candidate.

Jasper attorney John Harvey “Cam” Cameron Jr. has announced he will run for 12th Judicial District Circuit Court judge. According to a press release from his campaign, Cameron currently serves as the municipal judge for the City of South Pittsburg and sits as a special judge for the Marion County General Sessions Court. He was appointed to Legal Aid of East Tennessee’s board of governors in 2012 and currently serves as the board’s president-elect. Cameron also practices at Cameron & Cameron PC where he handles both civil and criminal matters.

Brentwood attorney Kent Halkett will lead the virtual program The Mental Health Crisis in the Legal Profession – A Message of Hope on Aug. 10 from noon until 1 p.m. CDT. Halkett will discuss an article he penned for the Tennessee Bar Journal’s January/February 2021 issue titled, Mental Health in the Legal Profession: A Crisis, a Case Study and a Call to Action. During the program, he’ll discuss his mental health journey, offer personal insights into mental health problems and give a message of hope for others in the legal profession who are facing their own mental health challenges. If you are not a TBA Member, you can join now to receive CLE discount prices and three prepaid credits.

The LGBTQ advocacy group the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has filed a lawsuit against the state of Tennessee over a measure that restricts school bathroom use by transgender people, the Associated Press reports. Tennessee's law allows lawsuits to be brought “for all psychological, emotional, and physical harm suffered” if school officials allow a transgender person into the bathroom or locker room when others are in there. HRC filed on behalf of two students, alleging the law violates Title IX, which protects against sex discrimination in education. Earlier this year, the American Civil Liberties Union sued the state over its “bathroom sign” law, which required businesses and government facilities to post signs if they let transgender people use their public restrooms. A federal judge later temporarily blocked that bill as it makes its way through court.

Boyd Patterson of the Hamilton County Public Defender's Office said today he plans to run for the county’s open criminal court post, seeking to replace Judge Don W. Poole who has announced his retirement. Patterson worked as a prosecutor for 15 years and as a Gang Task Force coordinator before moving to the public defender’s office. His campaign says that his undergraduate and master’s degrees in psychology, plus two years counseling delinquent youth, make him the best candidate for the court, which also supervises the county’s Mental Health Court. Patterson, who helped establish the mental health court, says if elected he would create a new separate component to serve military veterans, Chattanoogan.com reports.