Davidson County Election Commission Chair Jim DeLanis says he was fired from his law firm over his vote to appeal a judge’s decision that invalidated an anti-tax hike referendum, the Tennessean reports. DeLanis told the paper yesterday that he was fired from Baker Donelson after 40 years of employment due to "threats and pressure" from two "substantial" clients. He also said the firm’s general counsel asked him not to vote on the matter. The firm disputes the characterization, calling the departure a “retirement.” In a statement, the firm said, "We are grateful to Jim for his long years of service and wish him well on his retirement from the firm. We disagree with his characterization of the circumstances of his departure from the firm but will not engage in a public debate about them."

Murfreesboro lawyer William “Bill” Walter Burton Jr. died July 1 at 79. After graduating from the University of Tennessee College of Law, Burton moved to Murfreesboro and practiced law there for 46 years. He retired in 2013. Burton previously served as president of the Rutherford County Bar Association, as chair of the Rutherford County Red Cross and Heart Association, and on the board of governors of the University of Tennessee National Alumni Association. Visitation will take place at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Murfreesboro on Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. CDT and at Prosperity ARP Church in Taft on Saturday from 10 to 11 a.m. A funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Family Center or First Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

The TBA's Summer Business Education Webinar Series launches tomorrow with a one-hour session on Make Meetings Meaningful. The virtual program will run from noon to 1 p.m. CDT and offer one hour of dual CLE credit. The series, designed to help attorneys work smarter not harder, will continue on July 15 with Email Management, on July 22 with Task Management and on July 29 with Using Core Financial & Productivity Reports.

A Hendersonville man pleaded guilty last week to federal arson charges for his role in the damage to the Metro Courthouse during a protest in Nashville last year, the Associated Press reports. Wesley Somers faces five to 20 years after entering his plea in U.S. District Court. Graffiti was sprayed on the courthouse, windows were smashed and a fire was set inside on May 30 last year after a gathering to protest the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Somers was caught on video clips and photos from the event and was identified after the Nashville police received tips from citizens. He will be sentenced on Dec. 1.

Following reports of child abuse, the Tennessee Department of Children's Services (DCS) announced last week that the state has suspended the license of the Baptiste Group to manage La Casa de Sydney, a Chattanooga facility that housed unaccompanied migrant children. According to The Chattanoogan, an unannounced DCS inspection in June uncovered alleged child abuse by a staff member, who was fired after an investigation and charged with sexual battery. As of June 22, all children had been removed from the facility. The suspension issued by DCS is not time-limited and under state law a licensee may request an informal hearing before an administrative law judge within three business days of the suspension. The Associated Press reports that state lawmakers have demanded Baptiste Group testify and answer questions about the operation at their next meeting on July 13.

The Tennessee Department of Finance & Administration is seeking to hire data privacy counsel to join its Office of Evidence and Impact. The position works with multiple divisions of F&A and other departments and state agencies to further the use of data in decision-making, while maintaining compliance with all privacy laws and regulations. To apply for the job, email cover letter and resume to Christin Lotz or apply via the state’s website. Read more about the job posting on Linkedin.  

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s Office of General Counsel is looking to add a senior environmental counsel to its growing team of 18 attorneys. TDEC attorneys are currently working remotely and anticipate continued flexibility moving forward. The position is expected to be based in Knoxville, but may also be based in Nashville with travel to Knoxville. The attorney will help lay the foundation of Tennessee’s new surface coal mining and reclamation program. Experience applying the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA), including experience handling financial assurance and bankruptcy issues, is preferred. Preferred candidates will have a minimum of five years of experience in the practice of law. To apply for this position please email your resume and cover letter to TDEC.Careers@tn.gov. 

The Tennessee Judicial Conference has announced its new officers who were elected during the group’s June meeting. Seventeenth Judicial District Chancellor J.B. Cox will serve as president, 11th Judicial District Chancellor Pamela A. Fleenor will move into the role of president-elect, Judge Valerie L. Smith from the 30th Judicial District was elected as moving vice president, Court of Appeals Middle Section Judge W. Neal McBrayer is the new vice president, 16th Judicial District Judge Darrell Scarlett is the group’s new secretary and 19th Judicial District Judge Kathryn Wall Olita will serve as treasurer. Three judges from each of the state’s three grand divisions were also elected to serve on the TJC executive committee. Representing West Tennessee are: Court of Appeals Judge Carma McGee; 30th Judicial District Judge Jennifer Johnson Mitchell; and 26th Judicial District Chancellor Tony Childress. The Middle Tennessee representatives are: 23rd Judicial District Judge Larry J. Wallace; Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Jill Bartee Ayers; and 12th Judicial District Chancellor Melissa Blevins. Representing Eastern Tennessee are: 4th Judicial District Judge James Gass; 11th Judicial District Judge Barry Steelman; and 6th Judicial District Judge Kyle Hedrick. Sixteenth Judicial District Judge Barry Tidwell and 13th Judicial District Judge Gary McKenzie will serve as TJC convention co-chairs. Hospitality co-chairs will be 6th Judicial District Judge Kyle Hixson and 13th Judicial District Judge Jimmie Turner. Read more from the Administrative Office of the Courts.

The TBA Criminal Justice Section will host Criminal Law Basics 2021 tomorrow from 10 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. CDT. This year’s program will focus on sentencing practices and procedures, including an intro to sentencing, alternative sentencing measures and a diverse panel of judges, prosecutors and defense lawyers discussing different perspectives on these important issues. Among those panelists is Cyntoia Brown, a juvenile offender ordered to serve life in prison for murder before ultimately being granted clemency by former Gov. Bill Haslam. Register for the program here.

Former Shelby County Criminal Court Judge Terry Lafferty died Friday. He was 89. Lafferty served as criminal court judge from 1977 until his retirement in 1997, when he moved to become a senior judge. After earning his law degree from the Southern University Law Center, Lafferty worked in the district attorney’s office from 1963 until 1977. Lafferty’s family will receive friends this evening from 5 to 8 p.m. CDT at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 3700 N. Germantown Parkway, Bartlett 38133. A funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. CDT tomorrow at The Church of the Nativity, 5955 St. Elmo, Bartlett 38135. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to the Wounded Warrior Project. Read more on funeral services from the Administrative Office of the Courts.