The TBA is hosting a virtual CLE series focused on individual cities' legal community, needs and interests. The series kicks off with a one-hour program for Clarksville area lawyers on Thursday. Speakers include Circuit Court Judge Kathryn Olita and Jamie Durrett with Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker. Topics include e-filing procedures being evaluated by Montgomery County, an update on court procedures, and litigation and virtual trials during the pandemic. A question and answer time will round out this live, interactive program. Remember: all 2020 CLE hours can be taken online and TBA members get discounted pricing on all CLE programs.

The COVID-19 pandemic has not stopped the work of the Tennessee Youth Courts (TYC). When schools started closing this spring, the organization quickly pivoted to the virtual world and continues to provide vulnerable teens the support and guidance they need during these challenging times. Across the state, TYC helps keep young offenders out of the judicial system while providing a path for them to make wrongs right and learn essential life skills. Over the last decade, nearly 1,800 teen offenders have had their cases heard in youth courts across Tennessee. Another 10,000-plus students have participated as peer leaders, and 24,000 attorneys from across the state are volunteer mentors. More than 95% of teen offenders who go through TYC courts stay out of trouble. Show your support for this valuable restorative justice program now.

There have been three confirmed cases of COVID-19 at the Hamilton County Juvenile Court's main division located at 1600 E. 3rd Street within the last week, Judge Rob Philyaw tells Chattanoogan.com. Two of the individuals have not been in the building since Oct. 30. The third was last in the building last Tuesday. All three are home and recovering well, Philyaw said. Several other staff members are in quarantine or are awaiting results. Parties who appeared in Courtroom 2 the week of Oct. 26 and those who appeared in Courtroom 3 through Nov. 3 should be aware of the potential for possible exposure.

Kamala Harris’s election as vice president creates a quandary for her husband about how to navigate his law career, Bloomberg Law reports. While the types of cases Doug Emhoff handles as an entertainment and commercial attorney are not likely to generate White House intrigue, his partnership at DLA Piper poses broad conflict-of-interest questions, especially given the firm’s lobbying clients, which include major companies and foreign governments. Emhoff is currently on a leave of absence from the firm. The article also suggests that ethical limits for government officials’ lawyer spouses remain largely unclear, especially for vice presidents, who are not covered by many federal conflict-of-interest rules.

TBA Executive Director Joycelyn Stevenson and Littler Managing Shareholder Jen Robinson recently wrote in the Nashville Business Journal that, “The need to put a spotlight on diversity, equality and inclusion efforts in our workplaces has never been more clear.” The pair share steps employers can take to create diverse and inclusive workplaces. First among their recommendations is understanding that diversity and inclusion are different, and that diversity does not always guarantee inclusion. Once diverse employees are hired, it is important to provide them with the tools, opportunities and professional connections to succeed, they write. They also call on leaders to strive to normalize conversations around race, ensure workplace policies against racism are implemented, and provide regular training for workers on how to foster an antiracist culture, minimize microaggressions and recognize and reduce unconscious biases.

W. Clark Meredith, 78, died suddenly on Friday. A graduate of the Emory Law School, Meredith was admitted to the Georgia bar in 1966, and the Tennessee bar in 1967. He began practicing with Joyce, Meredith, Flitcroft & Normand in Oak Ridge and served as a litigator in East Tennessee for 32 years. A viewing was held today in Lenoir City. Private graveside services will be tomorrow at the Old Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St Jude's Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105 or Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Dr,. Tampa, FL 33607.

The Knoxville Pro Bono Community will gather virtually on Thursday at 6 p.m. EST for the 2020 Forging Justice Pro Bono Night Celebration. Among the evening’s activities will be the presentation of several awards. Clint Wren will receive the Pro Bono Student of the Year Award, Katie Jones will receive Pro Bono Attorney of the Year Award, the McNabb Center will be recognized as the Pro Bono Community Partner of the Year, London Amburn will be recognized as the Pro Bono Law Firm of the Year, and Dave Yoder will receive the Donald F. Paine Memorial Pro Bono Hall of Fame Award. View the invitation or register to attend. Tickets are $50. All proceeds benefit the pro bono work of Legal Aid of East Tennessee. Also, check out the planned online auction and Race for Justice.

The legal industry added nearly 5,000 jobs in the sixth straight month of gains according to data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the National Law Journal reports. Though law firms have continued cutting jobs, the October data — which includes attorneys, paralegals, legal secretaries and others who make their living in the law — shows total U.S. legal jobs now stands at 1,117,400. While that is still well below the 1,153,700 jobs in place this time last year, the legal industry, like the wider economy, continues to recover from the loss of 64,000 jobs in April due to pandemic-related layoffs and austerity measures.

Four days after Tennessee Democrats made slight progress in statehouse races, Tennessee Democratic Party Chairman Mary Mancini announced she will not seek re-election in 2021. Several individuals have expressed interest in the post, including Washington County Party Chair Kate Craig and Rep. London Lamar, D-Memphis. Mancini’s decision came a day after House Democratic Caucus Chair and Nashville Rep. Mike Stewart said he does not plan to again seek that leadership position. Two Nashville Democrats, Reps. Vincent Dixie and John Ray Clemmons, have announced they will vie for the position, while another, Rep. Bo Mitchell, is expected to consider a run. Tennessee Lookout reviews both of these developments. The Nashville Post also has an update.

The TBA’s Young Lawyers Division will wrap up its virtual law school visits this week, with calls scheduled with students at the University of Memphis School of Law tomorrow and Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law on Wednesday. This year's program is focusing on the “Road to Success” for 3L and 4L students. YLD members are sharing their experiences on topics including how they chose their practice area, bar exam study tips and habits, how to network as a law student and young professional, mental health wellness and more. For more information, contact YLD Coordinator Stephanie Vonhamme.