The names of two attorneys have been forwarded to Gov. Bill Lee to be considered for the 29th Judicial District trial court vacancy. The district includes Lake and Dyer counties. The Trial Court Vacancy Commission nominated James L. Cresswell Jr. and Mark L. Hayes for the governor’s consideration after a public hearing on Nov. 4. The Administrative Office of the Courts has more on the candidates.

Gov. Bill Lee has tapped Clarksville attorney Robert Nash to serve as 19th Judicial District attorney general. Nash was previously assistant district attorney for the 19th Judicial District. Lee also named Dr. Logan Hampton of Jackson and 21st Judicial District Attorney General Kim Helper to serve on the Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments. Hampton is president of Lane College. Helper’s district covers Hickman, Lewis, Perry and Williamson counties. All three appointments are effective immediately. Read more from the state’s website.

Save the Date for Memphis Area Legal Services’ “Dining for Justice in Memory of Mary L. Wolff, Esq.” on Nov. 20 at 5:15 p.m. CST. The virtual event will include a dinner with paired wines created and hosted by Chef Kelly English and Sisco Larson. Ticket sales end on Nov. 12. Get tickets today.

Looking to improve your organizational skills and better manage your workload? How to Manage Your Workload: Task Management will help viewers build a master task list, utilize the organizational tools offered by Microsoft Outlook and design a method for daily and weekly planning that will vastly improve your level of organization. This one-hour webcast is worth one dual credit of CLE and will run on Dec. 13 from noon until 1 p.m. CST.  

Convicted murderer Abu-Ali Abdur’Rahman had his execution vacated for a second time today, the Tennessean reports. Davidson County Criminal Court Judge Monte Watkins overturned the death sentence after the defendant pleaded guilty to three high-level offenses, for which he will serve three life sentences. Abdur’Rahman was convicted of first-degree premeditated murder and sentenced to death for the 1986 slaying of Patrick Daniels, a crime that also left a woman brutally stabbed. In 2019, Judge Watkins issued a similar ruling after claims of racial discrimination in jury selection came to light. But that decision was overturned by the Court of Criminal Appeals on procedural issues. In today's decision, Watkins addressed the requirements set out by the appeals court. Davidson County District Attorney General Glenn R. Funk, who brokered the deal, said in court: "The state does have an interest in the finality of convictions and sentences … That is outweighed by interest of justice, and in some situations by recognition of the sanctity of human life." Abdur’Rahman, who was previously scheduled to be executed on April 16, 2020, will not return to death row.

The Vanderbilt Undergraduate Mock Trial Team will host the Grand Ole Tournament in Nashville on Nov. 13 and 14. The collegiate mock trial competition will take place at the Davidson County Courthouse and volunteers are needed to serve as both scoring judges and presiding judges. Rounds will be held on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2:30 to 6 p.m.; and on Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1:30 to 5 p.m. All times central. Coffee, breakfast and lunch will be provided. Sign up online to volunteer. For questions, contact indraneel.pai@vanderbilt.edu or call 630-492-6578.

The Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments is now accepting applications for the Tennessee Supreme Court vacancy created by the passing of Justice Cornelia A. Clark. Applicants must be licensed attorneys, at least 35 years of age, residents of the state for five years, and residents of the Eastern or Middle Grand Divisions. Applicants must complete the designated application and submit it to the Administrative Office of the Courts by noon CST on Nov. 19. Applicants will be interviewed on either Dec. 8 or Dec. 9 at a location to be determined.

Tennessee Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Mike Bell, R-Riceville, announced today that he will not be a candidate for re-election in 2022. Bell was first elected to the state House of Representatives in 2006 before moving to the Senate in 2010, the Tennessee Journal reports. He has served in several leadership positions during his legislative tenure. In addition to chairing the Judiciary Committee, he led the Senate Government Operations Committee from 2012 to 2018. In the House, he chaired the Children and Family Subcommittee and was freshman leader in the Republican Caucus. In announcing the news, Bell said, “It has been the highest honor of my life to serve in the Tennessee General Assembly. Just as I knew it was time for me to run for office in 2006, I feel it is now time to move to the next chapter of my life and pass the leadership mantle for this district to a new state senator.”

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has appointed Denise E. Barnett as the newest judge on the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Tennessee. She was selected from a field of five applicants. Barnett took the oath of office today, the bankruptcy court reports. Prior to her appointment, Barnett was a trial attorney with the Department of Justice’s United States Trustee Program. From 1997 to 2002, she was in private practice at the Florida firms of Pinkston & Pinkston and Smith Hulsey & Busey. Barnett began her career with a clerkship at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida. She earned her law degree from the William Mitchell College of Law (now known as Mitchell Hamline School of Law) in Minnesota.

The Office of the State Architect (OSA) is seeking a director of compliance to support its interactions with the State Building Commission and review various legal documents for compliance with commission policy and procedure. The position also supervises the OSA compliance officer and monitors legislation affecting the office. A law degree and license to practice law in Tennessee is required, as is a minimum of three years employment in a legal, compliance or audit role, preferably in a government, real estate, design or construction. Read the full job description. To apply, submit a resume to Treasury.Resumes@tn.gov.