The TBA Young Lawyers Division has been named a finalist for the 2022 ABA Louis M. Brown Award for Legal Access for its Tennessee Debt Relief Clinic. The YLD’s virtual Tennessee Debt Relief Clinic began in 2020 as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The virtual delivery of the clinic not only improved access to legal services to clients residing in rural communities and those unable to travel, but it also provided a safe way for attorneys and clients to meet during COVID-19. The clinic continues to grow with plans to expand across Tennessee in 2022. The award is sponsored by the ABA Standing Committee on Delivery of Legal Services and is presented to programs and projects that advance access to legal services for those of moderate incomes. The program is also up for a Brown Select Award, which is awarded to the nominee that receives the most online votes from the public. Vote today for the virtual Debt Relief Clinic before voting ends on Jan. 21 at noon CST.

The Board of Professional Responsibility of the Tennessee Supreme Court today censured Shelby County lawyer Christopher Lynn Taylor. While awaiting summary judgement, Taylor’s client in the matter filed a pro se motion to “disqualify” Taylor. Taylor sent a closing letter and provided the client with a copy of her file, but failed to withdraw from the pending court matter. He then failed to inform his client of the decision on summary judgment and failed to represent her on a motion for costs filed by the defendant, including at several court hearings on the motion for costs.

Probate and estate attorney Andra Hedrick has entered the race for judge in Davidson County’s Seventh Circuit Court, the Nashville Post reports. Hedrick has practiced with the Nashville law firm Gullett Sanford Robinson & Martin since 2000 and has also taught estate planning at the Nashville School of Law. She is a member of the TBA’s Dispute Resolution and Estate Planning & Probate sections. “I am seeking to become Davidson County’s next — and first ever female — probate judge,” she said in a release. “This is a natural extension of my work for the last 23 years. If elected, I will apply my experience and deep understanding of estate and probate law to diligently serve all who come before me, with the utmost compassion, respect and impartiality.”

Rutherford County attorney Andrae Crismon yesterday announced his candidacy for juvenile court judge, WGNS Radio reports. Crismon recently announced his departure from the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands where he worked for nearly 15 years, serving eight years as managing attorney and finally as director of the Volunteer Lawyers Program. If elected, Crismon says he would “use every opportunity possible to provide a road map for the restoration of youth who have committed an offense,” and would implement a C.A.R.E platform – communication, adjudication, restoration and education. Crismon is pastor at Higher Ground Worship Center in Murfreesboro and has served on the board of directors for Greenhouse Ministries, Doors of Hope, and Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center. He is the Middle Tennessee delegate on the TBA’s Access to Justice Committee and a member of the TBA Leadership Law program’s 2015 class.

The TBA Tort & Insurance Law Section will host its annual forum on March 3 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CST. Join us for this virtual event to learn about recent developments in both the case law and statutory changes impacting litigation surrounding the Health Care Liability Act. The program also will include a session featuring ethical issues with errata sheets, the use of Zoom in depositions and a panel of attorneys discussing evidentiary issues. Reserve your spot now!

Memphis City Court Judge Tarik Sugarmon made his campaign for juvenile court judge official this weekend via an online announcement, the Daily Memphian reports. Sugarmon will challenge incumbent Judge Dan Michael in the nonpartisan race. The two previously faced off for the same role in 2014, which saw Michael win the seat by 3,752 votes. In his online message, Sugarmon, the son of the late Judge Russell Sugarmon and historian Miriam DeCosta Willis, highlighted his connection with Memphis and the city’s civil rights movement. He also spoke of the high number of juveniles who are transferred out of the court for trial as adults. 

Join the CLE Performer Stuart Teicher for an overview of the ethical duties that are critical to all lawyers. TBA CLE’s "Turning Up the Heat: Ethical Times Are Getting Tougher" program will address issues with technology and competence and the emerging duty to look into the potential misdeeds of our employers/clients. The virtual program will air on Feb. 10 from 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. CST and is worth three hours of dual credit CLE. Register today for the program.

The Tennessee Supreme Court appointed Nashville lawyer Carolyn Schott to a two-year term on the Board of Law Examiners this week. Schott’s appointment took effect Jan. 1 and will run through Dec. 31, 2024. She is a member at Sherrard Roe Voigt & Harbison, practicing in the areas of in the areas of business, tax, trusts and estates. She replaces her colleague and former TBA President William L. Harbison, whose term ended on Dec. 31, 2021. Download the order.

The ABA is offering volunteer lawyers a new opportunity to help families in 11 cities navigate their now-accelerated immigration court proceedings. In May, the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice introduced a “dedicated docket” process, which promises to yield asylum decisions within 300 days of initial hearings. In response, the ABA has launched the Pro Bono Matters for Families Facing Deportation website, which collects and lists the cases of families who need legal representation. Volunteer lawyers who sign up to help will have access to a pro bono manual and training sessions. Those interested can register online or email Adonia Simpson. Read more in the ABA Journal or in a press release from the group.

Clarksville lawyer Joel Wallace has announced his candidacy for the 19th Judicial District Circuit Court, Division III. The seat is currently held by Judge Ted Crozier Jr. who is retiring, Mainstreet Clarksville reports. Wallace has practiced law since 2006 with the law firm of Cunningham, Mitchell & Rocconi. He served two terms on the Clarksville City Council from 2008 to 2016, and currently serves on a number of local boards and commissions. Wallace is a former member of the TBA Young Lawyers Division Board, current co-chair of the TBA Public Service Academy and a new member of the TBA’s 2022 Leadership Law class. He received both his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Memphis. The 19th Judicial District serves Montgomery and Robertson counties.