Demetria Kalodimos, a former WSMV Channel 4 reporter, has been named executive producer of the revived Nashville Banner, which is slated to launch later this year as a nonprofit. Steve Cavendish, the former editor-in-chief of the Nashville Scene will serve as president and editor of the paper. The announcement today also revealed that Kalodimos and her former employer Meredith Corp. made a significant joint donation as well as individual donations to Nashville Public Media, the entity behind the Banner’s relaunch. Both also made donations to the nonpartisan Tennessee Coalition for Open Government. Read more in the Nashville Business Journal.

The Tennessee Supreme Court today affirmed the conviction of Alexander Vance despite the trial court’s error in admitting testimony regarding a non-testifying co-defendant. Vance and co-defendant Damonta Meneese were tried jointly for murder. A third co-defendant, who was severed from the case, had made pre-trial statements to police that implicated Vance and Meneese. During trial, the state requested permission to ask a detective about those statements after claiming the defense had “opened the door” for that line of questioning. The court allowed the question. Following conviction, Vance’s attorney filed for a new trial arguing the testimony violated his client’s Sixth Amendment right to confront witnesses. The Supreme Court ruled that the testimony was not appropriate, but that the defense should have raised the constitutional issues during trial. It also concluded that the jury probably would have convicted Vance on other proof and therefore a new trial was not required. Read more about the case in this press release.

Memphis attorney and political adviser James S. Gilliland died yesterday at age 86. A 1957 graduate of Vanderbilt University Law School, Gilliland began his career as a prosecutor in the U.S. Navy. He later served as chief defense counsel for the Navy-Marine General Court Martial System for the Far East. After returning to Memphis, he joined Glankler Brown and became a partner. In 1991, he served as co-chair of the transition team for then newly elected Mayor Willie Herenton. In 1993, he moved to Washington, D.C., to work as general counsel to the U.S. Department of Agriculture — a presidential appointment requiring Senate confirmation. He later returned to Memphis and completed his career there. Visitation will be from 3 to 6 p.m. on Sunday at the University Club of Memphis, 1346 Central Ave, Memphis 38104. A private burial will follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Overton Park Conservancy or the organization of the donor’s choice.

Civil Rights Corps, the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection at Georgetown Law and the law firm Baker Donelson have filed a federal class action lawsuit against Hamblen County General Sessions Judge Doug Collins, the circuit court clerk, county sheriff and county commissioners. The suit claims the county imposes and enforces unaffordable money bail on people arrested for misdemeanors and felonies in violation of their constitutional rights. The result, according to the suit, is that those who cannot afford to pay are detained indefinitely — leading to overcrowding and inhumane conditions in the jail — while those who can pay are freed immediately. Read more in a press release from the groups. Recent press coverage from Knoxnews and the New York Times also has brought attention to the situation.

The Memphis Lawyers’ Chapter of the Federalist Society is hosting Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Jeffrey Bivins for a lunch and presentation on March 2. Justice Bivins will speak on “Removing the Mystique of the Tennessee Supreme Court.” The event will take place at the Hu Hotel, 79 Madison Ave., Memphis 38103, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Any TBA member interested in attending can register by contacting Greg Grisham, 901-333-2076.

Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III announced today that Tennessee has joined a bipartisan, multistate investigation of electronic cigarette manufacturer JUUL Labs. The 39-state coalition is investigating JUUL’s marketing and sales practices, including targeting of youth, claims regarding nicotine content, and statements regarding risks, safety and effectiveness as a smoking cessation device. While traditional cigarette use has decreased among youth, vaping has risen according to national and state statistics.

McMinn County lawyer Larry Dean Cantrell was disbarred from the practice of law today. The Tennessee Supreme Court took the action after finding that he misappropriated funds and did not complete the work to close estates while serving as attorney in three separate estates and trusts. The court also directed Cantrell to pay $65,000 in restitution to his clients. His actions were determined to violate Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3, 1.5(a), 3.2, 3.4(c) and 8.4(a), (b), (c) and (d).

Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel has announced that Mark Cunningham has been elected to serve as president and managing shareholder of the firm. He is also a member of the firm’s executive committee and chair of its Health Care Section. A native Chattanoogan who has been with the firm for 23 years, Cunningham will succeed Mike St. Charles. Cunningham is also a past chair of the TBA’s Health Law Section. Read more from Chattanoogan.com.

The TBA’s Family Law Section will hold its Spring Forum on March 4 at the Tennessee Bar Center. The course will cover hot topics for family law practioners including updates on child support, the Alimony Bench Book and legislative issues expected to arise this year. The program also will include training on how to be a guardian ad litem, offered in connection with the TBA Young Lawyers Division.

Kelsey Ketron signed a plea agreement today will allow her to avoid prison time, the Tennessean reports. Ketron, who was indicted on 72 counts of fraud last November, pleaded no contest to 15 counts related to facilitation of fraudulent insurance acts, forgery, theft of property and impersonating a licensed professional. Instead of jail time, she will serve eight years of probation, pay a fine of $10,000 and complete 300 hours of community service. She will not be able to be involved with the family insurance business or seek reinstatement of her insurance license while on probation. She also is barred from working for any political campaigns and must submit to random drug tests.