Rep. David Byrd, R-Waynesboro, today confirmed that he will not seek reelection, the Tennessean reports. Though Byrd announced this decision during a closed-door GOP caucus meeting in August, he remained quiet on the subject, prompting rumors that he had changed his mind. He confirmed the decision today with the Tennessean, saying “at this point I’m still not running”. Byrd has faced calls for resignation since 2018 when he was accused of sexually assaulting three women when they were underage in the 1980s. Byrd has never publicly denied the allegations.

Legal Aid of East Tennessee will host two general advice clinics this week in Johnson City and Kingsport. The Johnson City clinic will take place tomorrow from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the American Legion, 409 E. Market St. The Kingsport clinic will be held on Thursday from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the United Steel Worker’s Building, 243 E. Charlemont Ave.

The TBA’s Immigration Law Winter Forum on March 9 will provide updates and trending issues in immigration and an overview of the many procedural and policy changes that have taken place during the last few years. The program offers 4.5 hours of CLE and begins at 9 a.m. at the Tennessee Bar Center in Nashville. Get registered here.

Nashville lawyer Gregory Wade Dawson received a public censure from the Tennessee Supreme Court today. The court took the action after determining that Dawson knowingly provided legal services to clients, prepared and filed pleadings, and appeared in court after he was administratively suspended from the practice of law. His actions violate Rules of Professional Conduct 5.5 and 8.4(d).

Following news of a negative audit for state prisons last week, House Minority Leader Karen Camper says the legislature should revive a correction oversight committee to hold the Department of Corrections accountable, the Daily Memphian reports. Others are going a step further suggesting an investigation by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation or criminal prosecution may be necessary. Department of Correction Commissioner Tony Parker said the department concurs, or concurs partially, with all of the findings but contends it operates “safe and secure” prisons and “provides effective community supervision.” In a statement, he said the department is dealing with the problems raised in the report.

Six months after quietly setting up shop in Nashville, Atlanta-based law firm Fisher Phillips has made its Music City debut with a move into a 4,000-square-foot space at 3310 West End Ave., the Nashville Business Journal reports. Joe Shelton, an East Tennessee native and graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Law, has been spearheading the expansion and now serves as the office’s managing partner. He is joined by Courtney Leyes, who relocated from the firm’s Memphis office. Fisher Phillips is the third national firm practicing exclusively in labor and employment law to set up shop in Nashville. It joins Ogletree Deakins and Littler. The firm can be reached at 615-488-2900.

The 2019-2020 edition of the Tennessee Blue Book is now available and it honors the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote. Secretary of State Tre Hargett said the commemorative edition recognizes the steadfast efforts of Tennessee suffragists and the pivotal role Tennessee played in ratifying the amendment. The cover of the book — yellow — also honors the symbolic color of the national women’s suffrage movement. Published every two years, the Blue Book is the definitive manual on Tennessee state government featuring biographies of elected and appointed state officials, census data, election statistics, state history and more. Read more from Hargett's office or order your free copy by calling 615-741-2650 or emailing publications.information@tn.gov.

The Administrative Office of the Courts announced today that it has hired Brandon L. Bowers as its chief technology officer and Scott Liput as IT systems architect. Bowers previously served as deputy director of data center services at the state’s Strategic Technology Solutions and director of production support services for the Tennessee Department of Health. He will focus on increasing efficiency, transparency and accessibility to the courts while overseeing four departments. Liput most recently served as an enterprise solution architect with Strategic Technology Solutions supporting the Tennessee Department of Health. Read more about these new hires and the technology projects currently underway at the AOC.

The Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services (TALS) has announced a revised date for its 2020 Equal Justice University conference. The event now will take place Sept. 9-11 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Murfreesboro. Watch for more details to come.

A portrait unveiling of former Nashville judge Seth Walker Norman will take place Thursday at 2 p.m. at the Justice A.A. Birch Building, 408 Second Ave. North, Ste. 6100, Nashville 37201. A brief dedication ceremony will take place prior to the unveiling and a reception will follow. All Tennessee lawyers are invited to attend. RSVP at unveiling@klineprestonlaw.com. Norman was a criminal court judge in the 20th Judicial District for 28 years and founded the state’s first drug court. He stepped down from the seat in 2018. View the invitation or read more about the artist.