The Tennessee Supreme Court today issued an order amending Rule 13 of its rules to allow payment for investigative and expert services in juvenile transfer hearings. The change to Section 5(a)(1) applies to trial and direct appeal cases handled by appointed counsel. It takes effect immediately.

Macon County lawyer Lisa C. Cothron has announced her campaign for the Macon County General Sessions Court. Cothron has practiced law for more than 27 years in the areas of family, juvenile, criminal and probate law. In addition to private practice, she has handled hundreds of appointed cases in juvenile and criminal court. A long-time member of the TBA, Cothron has served on the House of Delegates since 2010, as vice chair of the Juvenile Law Section and as a CLE presenter. She also is a member of the 15th Judicial Bar Association. Cothron earned her law degree from Nashville School of Law.

As part of Domestic Violence Prevention Month and Celebrate Pro Bono Month, the Tennessee Access to Justice Commission and partners are offering a free CLE at noon CDT on Thursday. Family Law Basics for Domestic Violence Victims with Limited Means will be facilitated by Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee & the Cumberlands attorneys Aimee Luna and Rachel Moses. Topics will include filing and amending order of protection petitions, preparing the client for an adversarial hearing, pursuing violations, and contempt. The presentation also will include advocacy tips for representing clients with limited means in divorces, including filing under affidavit of indigency, constructive service by posting, reduced fee mediation, and mediation exceptions for victims of abuse. Register here.

The U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of the U.S. Trustee is seeking candidates for the panel of trustees that administers Chapter 7 cases in the Western District of Tennessee. Chapter 7 panel trustees receive compensation and reimbursement for expenses, but are not considered federal employees. To apply, submit a resume via email no later than Nov. 30 and state in the subject line whether applying for the Memphis Division, Jackson Division or both. Applicants must possess strong administrative, financial and interpersonal skills. Fiduciary and bankruptcy experience is desirable but not required.

Five University of Tennessee College of Law students earned top honors at the school’s 2021 Advocates’ Prize Moot Court Competition. Second-year law students Molly Green-Majewski and Holly Nehls were named the best team. Third-year law student Anne Crisp received the Powell Prize for best oralist and first place for the best brief. And second-year students Peyton Faulkner-Ritchie and Kay Frazier placed second for best brief. Four federal judges presided over the competition, including 6th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Julia Smith Gibbons.

Knoxville area legal organizations will hold an in-person veterans’ legal advice clinic on Nov. 10 from noon to 2 p.m. EDT at the Knox County Public Defender’s Community Law Office, 1101 Liberty St. Veterans seeking advice should preregister at 865-637-0484. Lawyers who would like to volunteer can sign up online and view masking requirements. Volunteers may also choose to continue to volunteer by telephone. 

The 2021 Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature (TISL) Foundation’s Appellate Moot Court Collegiate Challenge will take place in Nashville Nov. 18-20. The foundation is looking for attorney volunteers to grade students’ arguments. No preparation or research is necessary. Rounds will take place on Thursday from 2-3:30 and 3:30-4:30 p.m.; on Friday from 9-10:30 a.m., 10:30-noon; 2:15-4 p.m. and 4-5:30 p.m.; and on Saturday from 9-11 a.m., 1-2:30 p.m., 3:15-4:45 p.m. and 5-6:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday rounds will be held in the Cordell Hull Building. Saturday’s sessions will be held in the Old Supreme Court Chambers in the state Capitol. All times are central. Learn more in a post from the Nashville School of Law. To volunteer, email J.D. Cressman with available time slots and contact information.

The legislature’s next special session begins tomorrow with a focus on curbing the authority of health departments, schools and private businesses to impose COVID-19 mandates. Bills that have been introduced include those that would (1) ban public facilities, government agencies and private companies from requiring employees be vaccinated; (2) ban businesses from denying goods and services to those who are unvaccinated; (3) ban schools from requiring masks or contact tracing; (4) provide exemptions to mandates for personal conscience, religious beliefs, medical reasons or recovery from COVID-19; (5) allow workers who suffer vaccine side effects to file workers’ compensation claims or sue employers; (6) subject local public health officers to mayors; and (7) make school board races partisan. Read more about the proposals in the Tennessean.

Sevier County General Sessions Clerk Connie Holt was found dead inside her home, WKRN reports. According to District Attorney General Jimmy Dunn, the deaths of Holt and boyfriend, Eric Peters, appear to be the result of a murder-suicide. Holt began working for the county in 1994 and was elected clerk in 2002. Court proceedings are canceled today and tomorrow to mourn her passing. Penny Johnson was sworn in as acting clerk yesterday morning and will serve until the county commission appoints an interim clerk.

The Dickson Council recently settled a lawsuit with former municipal and general sessions court Judge Reese Holley, who claimed he was illegally removed from office after the court was abolished, the Tennessean reports. Holley filed the suit in 2018 after the court was abolished in 2017. The council later created a new city court without general sessions jurisdiction and appointed Stan Reynolds. Under the settlement, Holley will receive $11,100 for unpaid salary and be designated as a former municipal judge with general sessions jurisdiction. This will allow the Tennessee Supreme Court to appoint him as a special judge in other courts. He had sought reinstatement to office and $24,000 a year for the five years remaining in his term.