Vanderbilt Law School announced this week that Yesah Yadav has been appointed associate dean for diversity, equity and community, the law school’s website reports. In her new role, Yadav will serve as a liaison to Vanderbilt University’s Offices of the Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and the Provost’s Office of Inclusive Excellence. She will also work closely with law school stakeholders on issues of diversity, equity and community as they impact recruitment and retention, curriculum, programming and external engagement; support and mentor the EDI Council and student affinity groups and organizations; and address the report produced this summer by a steering committee formed in the wake of the killing of George Floyd. Yadav currently serves as faculty co-director of the LL.M. program. She was recently appointed to the Tennessee Advisory Committee for the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.

TBA member and Chattanooga lawyer Marc Harwell has received the Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel’s President’s Community Service Award for his service related to the #FeedThePartnership campaign. Through Harwell’s work, the campaign has provided over 600 meals to the residents and staff of the Partnership for Families, Children and Adults, which provides shelter to victims of domestic violence and emergency shelter for homeless families in the Chattanooga community. Harwell is the founder of the Harwell Law Group PLLC, a past president of the Chattanooga Bar Association, and a member of the federation’s executive committee.

Join the Litigation Law Section on Aug. 27 at 1 p.m. CDT for a one-hour roundtable conversation titled, “From the Supreme Court to the Trial Courts - Navigating COVID-19 Orders, Rules and Local Practices." Section Chair Todd Presnell, along with executive council members Marty Phillips and Zac Greene, will discuss the current practices and procedures of the court. The discussion will include working in the COVID-19 orders, rules and practices from the Supreme Court. Don’t miss this open and lively conversation by registering NOW.

The 2020 Adoption Law Forum is live and all virtual on Sept. 24 from noon until 3:45 p.m. CDT. This program will take a deep dive into post adoption contact agreements, including recent changes, basics and ethics regarding PACAs. General counsel from the Tennessee Department of Children's Services will also join the event to provide legislative updates affecting the practice area. Make sure you stick around for the networking reception immediately following the program so you can meet TBA and section leadership. Register now.

Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands will host a phone clinic on Monday for members of the public with questions about housing and renters’ rights, bankruptcy, medical bills, debt collection, domestic violence, SNAP benefits and unemployment benefits. The clinic will run from 4:30 until 6:30 p.m. CDT. LAS is looking for attorneys to help with the clinic. To volunteer, contact Andrae Crismon or Kendra Cheek or call 615-780-7131. See the list of clinics for all of August.

Gov. Bill Lee is expected to be appointed to the Council of Governors, according to White House reports. The bipartisan Council of Governors provides input on issues concerning the National Guard, homeland defense and defense support to civil authorities. It includes 10 governors appointed by the president and has no more than five members from the same party. The White House said Lee will be appointed for a two-year term, the Associated Press reports.

U.S. Attorney Michael Dunavant appeared before the Memphis City Council yesterday to defend the newly implemented Operation LeGend, a federal initiative intended to combat violent crime in major U.S. cities. Facing opposition from some council members, Dunavant said, "With all due respect to the council, no one's permission is necessary for us to surge these federal resources into Memphis … As long as I'm the United States Attorney, we will, in fact, aggressively, consistently, and unapologetically enforce that federal law against the worst of the worst criminals for harming our citizens and terrorizing our community." The council was considering a non-binding resolution opposing Operation LeGend, but rejected it later in the session. Read more in the Commercial Appeal.

Knox County voters will decide whether the county law director should be appointed rather than elected when they cast their ballots in November. The referendum comes after public disagreements between Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs and Law Director Bud Armstrong. Jacobs argues that an appointed law director would result in a better relationship between the two officials and would streamline county business. If an appointment method is selected, the county commission and school board also would be allowed to hire their own lawyers, Knoxnews reports.

The state will apply for a federal grant program that will increase unemployed Tennesseans' benefits, the Tennessean reports. The grant program is outlined in a presidential memorandum issued on Aug. 8 after Congress failed to reach an agreement about the extension of supplemental unemployment benefits. The grant provides a $400 weekly bonus to unemployed individuals in participating states — lower than the previous $600 federal bonus that expired on July 25 — with the federal government paying $300 and the state paying $100. Tennessee has chosen to use the state's existing unemployment benefit payments for its $100 weekly match, meaning that if the state is approved for the federal grant, unemployed Tennesseans will receive their usual state unemployment benefits plus the additional $300 federal supplement for the duration of the program.

The American Bar Association will mark the centennial anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote, with a special commemorative program on Monday. “The Great Unfinished Fight: A Conversation on the History and Legacy of the 19th Amendment” will be offered virtually from 11 a.m. to noon CDT. The program will feature Judge M. Margaret McKeown of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit and chair of the ABA’s Commission on the 19th Amendment, and Elaine Weiss, author of “The Woman’s Hour: The Great Fight to Win the Vote.” After the program, the commission will launch its #19for19th challenge to encourage individuals and organizations to put the legacies of the 19th Amendment into action. The event is free but registration is required.