In honor of Veterans Day, the Administrative Office of the Courts is highlighting the state’s Veterans Treatment Courts and the services they offer. Tennessee’s six Veterans Courts are located in in Blount, Davidson, Knox, Montgomery, Shelby and Williamson counties. Though each court operates differently, they share a common goal of treating and rehabilitating veterans and removing them from the criminal justice system. A crucial part of treatment are wrap-around service, which can include behavioral and substance abuse therapies as well as social services that focus on housing, job skills, and more. “It’s a powerful program. I haven’t seen anyone not improve with it,” said Ted Scalise, Williamson County Veterans Treatment Court Mentor Coordinator. 

The Davidson County District Attorney’s Office yesterday asked the county’s criminal court to vacate the convictions of Joyce Watkins and Charlie Dunn and exonerate them of child murder and rape, the Nashville Scene reports. The motion was filed based on an extensive report from the office’s Conviction Review Unit (CRU), which found that Watkins and Dunn were wrongfully convicted after being prosecuted on circumstantial evidence and since-discredited methods by disgraced medical examiners. The couple was convicted of first-degree murder and aggravated rape after Watkins’ four-year-old great-niece Brandi Jessie died of head trauma in their care. In the report’s conclusion, CRU director Sunny Eaton wrote, "When stripped of demonstrably unreliable testimony, facts misrepresented to the jury and Post-Conviction Court and faulty medical conclusions, even the minute circumstantial case against Ms. Watkins and Mr. Dunn is devoid.” The couple was given a life sentence in 1988. Dunn died in prison in 2015 while awaiting release on parole. Watkins was granted parole in October of that year after serving more than 27 years in prison.  

The Arts & Business Council's Volunteer Lawyers and Professionals for the Arts is joining the law firm of Bradley Arant Boult Cummings in providing free legal services for Black-owned small businesses and nonprofits at a clinic on Nov. 18. Issues to be covered include questions about business formation, corporate governance, contract review and navigating local ordinances and state regulations. Eligible businesses may receive up to one hour of assistance. Companies may sign up online. To volunteer, email vlpa@abcnashville.org.

Nominations are now being accepted for the TBA’s Public Service Awards. The annual awards recognize outstanding commitment to access to justice in three categories: work performed by an attorney employed by an organization primarily involved in providing legal representation to the indigent; pro bono work performed by a private attorney; and a strong commitment to pro bono service by a Tennessee law student or recent graduate. Nominations are due no later than Dec. 3. Nominators are welcome to include supplemental information including letters or videos of support. For more information, contact TBA Director of Access to Justice & Special Projects Liz Todaro.   

The Williamson County Commission has approved a resolution to name a second floor room in Franklin’s historic courthouse after late Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Cornelia “Connie” Clark, the Tennessean reports. Clark was born in Franklin and lived her entire adult life there. She practiced law in Franklin prior to being appointed a circuit court judge and was also involved in several county nonprofit and civic organizations. "Justice Clark had a widely known reputation for honesty, integrity, impartiality and fairness," the resolution stated. "(She) was a role model to girls and women, as well as to boys and men in Williamson County, Tennessee, as well as across the State of Tennessee and the nation." Clark died in September at the age of 71.

Judge Robert Bateman has announced he will run on the Republican ticket to keep his seat on the 19th Judicial District’s Circuit Court, Division IV, Main Street Clarksville reports. Bateman was appointed to the position by Gov. Bill Lee in August, filling the vacancy created when Judge Jill Bartee Ayers joined the Court of Criminal Appeals. Prior to Bateman’s appointment, he practiced at Clarksville’s Bateman & Bateman where he handled numerous criminal and civil matters in General Sessions, Chancery and Circuit courts across the state. He also handled appeals in the Tennessee Supreme Court, Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals, the Tennessee Court of Appeals, and the United States Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit.

Join the TBA Construction Law Section for its 2022 virtual forum on Jan. 28 from 9 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. CST. The program will explore the unique aspects of the mechanics' and materialmen's lien law.There will also be an ethical discussion on several topics, including whether an attorney can "bluff" by serving a notice of nonpayment and/or notice of lien when certain prerequisites have not been satisfied. This half-day CLE program qualifies for three hours of general credit and one hour of dual credit. Register here.

Memphis lawyer and Tennessee Supreme Court Access to Justice Commissioner Sean Hunt died Monday at the age of 56, Serenity Funeral Home reports. Hunt, who was chair of the TBA's Dispute Resolution Section, also served on the Memphis Area Legal Services (MALS) board and as chair for two stints. He received the WJ Michael Cody Pro Bono Award from MALS in 2007. In 2009, he founded Hunt Law, serving Tennessee, Mississippi and Georgia, after working as a partner with Spicer, Flynn & Rudstrom and Leitner, Williams, Dooley, Carpenter & Napolitan in Chattanooga and Nashville. Hunt earned his law degree from Vanderbilt University Law School in 1988. He was also a frequent CLE speaker for the TBA. Read more about his career.

Twenty-sixth Judicial District Circuit Court Judge Donald H. Allen, 30th Judicial District Criminal Court Judge John Wheeler Campbell Sr. and Henry County General Sessions and Juvenile Court Judge Vicki S. Snyder were today selected as finalists for the Court of Criminal Appeals vacancy in the Western Section. The Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments considered five applicants for the position, which was vacated by Judge Alan E. Glenn in July. The three finalists now go to the governor for his consideration.

Hamilton County General Sessions Court judges Lila Statom and Alex McVeagh today announced a renewed push to increase veteran participation in Hamilton County’s misdemeanor mental health and drug recovery courts. The goal of the initiative is to incorporate a veterans’ track within each of the county’s existing treatment courts. Tennessee has 82 recovery courts, including 10 veterans treatment courts, which provide more than punitive incarceration for non-violent individuals who enter the criminal justice system. According to McVeagh, the courts “create needed structure, address the root problems and help the participants turn their lives around ...” Read more in a release from the pair.