A Supreme Court Advancing Legal Education for Students (SCALES) event was held by the Tennessee Supreme Court recently at Columbia Central High School, the alma mater of Justice Holly Kirby. For SCALES, the high court held oral arguments in two pending cases in front of an auditorium full of high school students from the region, who had studied the cases in advance. During deliberations, students were able to have a Q&A with attorneys from the cases before having lunch with the justices. During lunch, the high school surprised Kirby by presenting her with a plaque recognizing her as an Outstanding Distinguished Alumna. The City of Columbia then designated the day as Justice Holly Kirby Day, and presented Justice Kirby with a proclamation signed by Columbia Mayor and attorney Chaz Molder. Kirby called the honor “incredibly moving.” The Administrative Office of the Courts has more on the story.

President Joe Biden today signed a bill to remove one-time Ku Klux Klan member and late Congressman Clifford Davis’ name from Memphis’ federal building, the Daily Memphian reports. The 11-story courthouse and office building will now be named solely for the late Odell Horton Sr., the first African American judge to sit on the federal bench in Tennessee since Reconstruction. Horton had previously shared the name of the building with Davis. The bipartisan bill to remove Davis’ name was sponsored by Rep. Steve Cohen, a Memphis Democrat, and gained momentum after a report from the Institute for Public Service Reporting last year detailed Davis’ ties to the KKK. Horton served as a federal bankruptcy judge before being appointed to the U.S. District Court in 1980 by then-President Jimmy Carter.

Diversity and working with law students will be at the forefront of Tannera Gibson’s term as president of the Memphis Bar Association (MBA). When she steps into the role on Jan. 1, Gibson will become the first Black woman to lead the MBA in its 147-year history. Gibson, also the first Black female partner at Memphis law firm Burch, Porter & Johnson, says she’ll focus on diversity and creating a leadership program for students at the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law at the University of Memphis. She says the program’s “objective is to educate students on things that are not innate and things that you don't necessarily learn in law school.” She also hopes to “chip away" at underlying obstacles like imposter syndrome and implicit biases in law. Gibson is chair of the TBA's Litigation Section, a member of the Labor & Employment Law Section and a member of the TBA Leadership Law Class of 2019. The Commercial Appeal has a full profile on Gibson and her plans as MBA president. 

Davidson County Chancellor Russell T. Perkins last week announced that he will seek re-election in 2022. Perkins was first appointed as Chancellor of Part IV of the Davidson County Chancery Court by former Gov. Phil Bredesen, before being elected to the position in 2008 and again in 2014. Prior to his time on the bench, Perkins served in the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, worked in the Nashville law firm of Williams & Dinkins for nearly 12 years, and served in the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office for 14 years. “This position requires fairness, impartiality, and a respect for the rule of law,” Perkins said in a statement announcing his campaign. “I believe I have provided those during my 13 years on the bench.”

The Tennessee Supreme Court is set to once again hear arguments over Gov. Bill Lee’s school voucher program, the Tennessean reports. Chief Justice Roger Page announced the rare move in a signed order last week, setting Feb. 24 as the date the court will rehear the case. "Upon due consideration, and in light of the untimely death of Justice Cornelia A. Clark, this Court has concluded that re-argument will aid the resolution of this appeal," Page wrote. Clark passed away in September after the high court had heard arguments in the case, but before a ruling was made. The court has appointed Tennessee Court of Appeals Judge Thomas R. Frierson II to fill out the panel. Page wrote that Frierson was added "in the interest of the efficient and orderly administration of justice." The Tennessean writes that the addition of Frierson indicates the justices are tied 2-2 on the issue.

Hamilton County Circuit Court Clerk Larry Henry has announced he will seek another term, the Chattanoogan reports. Henry has held the position for seven years. “During that time, the Circuit and General Sessions Court Clerks’ Offices have improved online access to court records, made it easier to handle court-related business, and worked closely with Circuit and General Sessions Court judges as they decide civil cases in Hamilton County,” he said in a statement regarding his campaign.

State Sen. Katrina Robinson, D-Memphis, and two co-defendants have entered a plea deal in a federal case against them, the Daily Memphian reports. Robinson, alongside Katie Ayers and Brooke Boudreaux, will enter a pretrial diversion program to avoid prosecution on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Robinson will be monitored by a pretrial diversion supervisor and must attend work regularly at a lawful occupation. The three were indicted in January for allegedly using Robinson’s business, The Healthcare Institute, to defraud Bordeaux’s boyfriend out of $14,470 which Boudreaux claimed would pay her tuition for The Healthcare Institute. Boudreaux did not complete any classes and was issued a refund. Robinson is currently awaiting sentencing after being convicted of four counts of wire fraud earlier this year. Despite her conviction, Robinson has maintained her innocence.

Metro Nashville Councilmember Larry Hagar this week picked up a petition to run as a Democrat for Davidson County Division 7 Circuit Court, the Nashville Post reports. Hagar has served Metro’s District 11, which includes Old Hickory and other neighborhoods near Old Hickory Lake, since 2015. “I pretty well accomplished everything I set out to do in the district,” he told the Post. In his law practice, Hagar handles probate matters like those heard by Division 7. He seeks to fill the seat held by retiring Judge Randy Kennedy, whose legacy Hagar says he hopes to continue.  

Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Sharon G. Lee this month honored three state employees for their years of service in the Tennessee Appellate Court’s Eastern Division. Becky Doyle (20 years), Francesa Kraft (10 years) and Andy Whaley (10 years) were presented with awards at the celebration, which also included Jim Hivner, Clerk of the Appellate Courts, and members of the Knoxville Appellate Court Clerk’s Office. Doyle and Kraft work in the Appellate Court Clerk’s Office in Knoxville. Whaley is senior clerk to Court of Appeals Chief Judge D. Michael Swiney. The Administrative Office of the Courts has more on the ceremony.

The upcoming webcast, Essential Law Firm Technology - The Best of What's Out There, will define and explain the technologies that can help any lawyer solve problems, improve client service and make life easier. The program, set for Dec. 23 from 3 to 4 p.m. CST, will teach the essential software and hardware tools to protect client confidentiality, organize case information, manage a practice more efficiently and improve profitability. It is part of the TBA’s annual Year End CLE Event, which offers a variety of live virtual or on-demand programs, CLE packages and much more to help meet your last minute CLE needs.