Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee today announced the appointment of Sarah K. Campbell to the Tennessee Supreme Court to fill a vacancy created by the death of Justice Cornelia A. Clark. Her nomination must be approved by the General Assembly. Campbell currently serves as the state’s associate solicitor general and special assistant to Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III. In that role she has represented Tennessee before the state Supreme Court, the U.S. Courts of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court. She previously worked for Williams & Connolly LLP in Washington, D.C. Campbell earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of Tennessee and both a master’s degree in public policy and a law degree at Duke University. Following law school, she clerked for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. and Judge William H. Pryor Jr. of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. The Tennessee Journal has additional information about Campbell’s career.

Texas lawyer Iffy Ibekwe, founder of Ibekwe Law, writes in an article for Above the Law about a conversation she recently had with other lawyers about a colleague’s successful civil jury verdicts. The conversation quickly turned to how others’ success can shed light on our insecurities and perceived shortcomings. Ibekwe says it’s natural to compare our work to others, but also warns that comparison can steal our joy. She also suggests asking, “Why do I care so much about what another attorney is earning?” or “Why do I care what another attorney is charging?” If the reason is because you want to be doing the same thing, then give yourself permission to go for it. “If you are dissatisfied and stuck where you are, permit yourself to go another way. Don’t find yourself being that lawyer in the back, grumbling about another lawyer doing what you may deep down want to do yourself. You may even discover that some things you desire are not worth the effort or misalign with your values ... No matter the outcome, when you permit yourself to try, you get opportunities to learn and grow.

As the Tennessee General Assembly discusses redistricting this week, it's a good time to learn more about the unusual term used to describe the drawing of these oddly shaped districts. As a direct result of two decisions more than six decades ago — Baker v. Carr and Reynolds v. Sims — the legislature (and all other state legislatures) engage in the process known as redistricting once every 10 years. It's called gerrymandering, but do you know why? John P. Williams details the history of how it got its name.

The Veterans’ Legal Advice Clinic is a joint project of the KBA/Barristers Access to Justice Committees, Legal Aid of East Tennessee, the Knox County Public Defender’s Community Law Office, the UT College of Law, LMU- Duncan School of Law, and the local Veterans Affairs office. This is a general advice and referral clinic that requires attorney volunteers for its continued operation. The next Veterans Legal Clinic will be held in person at the Knoxville Community Law Office on Feb. 9 from noon until 2 p.m. EST. Attorneys can register online to volunteer at the clinic. 

Johnson City attorney Stephanie Sherwood has announced she is running for Washington County General Sessions Court Part III judge, Johnson City Press reports. Sherwood has served for 12 years as a special substitute judge in Johnson City Municipal Court. She has also practiced in all three divisions of General Sessions Court - criminal, civil, and juvenile - across eight counties in East Tennessee during her 13 years as an attorney. Sherwood will be on the Washington County Republican primary election ballot on May 3.

A residential builder in Nashville has pleaded guilty for his role in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, the Tennessean reports. Blake Austin Reed pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority. He was caught on video and in photos wearing ski goggles and a respirator. Reed is among 22 others with ties to Tennessee who have been arrested on charges stemming from the riot. He faces up to a year in jail when he is sentenced April 15.

The debut of a new voting system in Shelby County is facing a possible delay after a chancery court ruling did not resolve the standoff between the Shelby County Commission and the Shelby County Election Commission over the new system, the Daily Memphian reports. The election commission filed suit last year, claiming the county commission illegally blocked its choice of voting machines by rejecting its contract with ES&S LLC. Special Chancellor Gadson W. Perry ruled in September that, by state law, the election commission can determine what kind of system to use, but the county commission decides whether to fund it. Perry said from the bench that he would grant permission for the election commission to appeal, but has not issued the formal order. With no appeals court order, there is uncertainty on whether a new system could be in place in time for three elections this year. If no new system is purchased, the county will continue to use its 20-year-old touchscreen machines.  

The National Conference of Bar Examiners yesterday announced there will be no remote offerings for the February bar exam, the ABA Journal reports. The organization says makeup dates for the exam will be offered in late March should a jurisdiction prohibit large gatherings due to COVID-19. “Due to firm deadlines set by ExamSoft, remote testing using NCBE exam materials is no longer an option for the February exam dates,” according to a press release. Nevada is the only state so far to offer its own remote exam in February. It will have seven essay questions and two performance tests, but no multiple choice questions.

Ex-Nashville police officer Andrew Delke waived the right to a parole hearing yesterday as part of a plea deal he was given for fatally shooting Daniel Hambrick in the back during a foot chase in 2018, the Associated Press reports. The agreement, reached after Delke pleaded guilty to manslaughter last July, stipulates that Delke cannot pursue parole. He received a three-year sentence, but attorneys on both sides say he will likely only serve a year and a half in jail with standard credits. Hambrick’s mother spoke at the meeting, calling the process unfair, secretive and racist. The Hambrick family maintains they were unaware of the plea deal until after it was done. Delke was about to face trial for a first-degree murder charge.  

The TBA's popular ethics CLE with Brian Faughnan of Lewis Thomason, normally known as the Ethics Roadshow, is back as the "Homeshow" and you can now purchase two days of virtual content in one on-demand package. Both days of the CLE feature a one-hour program that utilizes a game format to delve into 30 unique topics of ethical discussion. Purchase the program in just 1-click here.