Maryville attorney Nick Black has launched a campaign to serve as chancellor of the 4th and 5th Judicial Districts which cover Grainger, Cocke, Jefferson, Sevier and Blount counties, The Daily Times reports. Black is president of the Blount County Bar Association and an alum of the University of Tennessee College of Law. He seeks to fill the position made vacant by the retirement of longtime 4th and 5th Judicial District Chancellor Telford Forgety Jr., who has served on the bench since 1997. “I want people to find me to be a reasonable person with the temperament to fairly and impartially adjudicate any case,” Black said.

Contested by dozens of lawsuits, Tennessee's sex offender registry — a system that tracks and regulates offenders convicted of sex crimes — is getting a renewed look from Tennessee lawmakers, the Tennessean reports. A joint committee, consisting of 12 members from both legislative chambers, convened yesterday to explore changes to the system. The main concern, according to the panel, is that the system, established in 1994 and revamped in 2004, may now be deemed unconstitutional for being too punitive.

A 36-member commission set up by President Joe Biden to study the U.S. Supreme Court was expected to release a draft report today, the White House announced. The commission will hold a public meeting tomorrow and a final report will be submitted to Biden in mid-November. The White House previously said that the commission's purpose is to “provide an analysis of the principal arguments in the contemporary public debate for and against Supreme Court reform, including an appraisal of the merits and legality of particular reform proposals," adding that commissioners would examine such options as term limits for justices, changing the size of the court and altering its case selection, rules and practices. CNN has more on the development.

Former Nashville International Airport executive Margaret Martin has launched her own law practice focused on the aviation industry, the Nashville Post reports. Martin Airport Law will specialize in legal services for airports, the aviation industry and public-private partnerships in the sector. Martin spent more than three years at the airport, most recently as vice president and chief development officer. She previously was senior regulatory counsel at Asurion and a lawyer for Metro Nashville Davidson County. She can be reached at 865-383-0228 or margaret.martin@martinairportlaw.com.

The TBA took top honors in three categories of bar communications during the National Association of Bar Executives Communications Section’s Virtual Workshop. In the category of Authored Article, the TBA won for the January/February 2021 Tennessee Bar Journal piece “Stress, Law & Happiness: New TLAP Director Offers Hope Past the Pain” by TBA staff member and Journal editor Suzanne Craig Robertson. In the category of Special Projects, the TBA won for the 2020 redesign of the TBA.org website and new association management system supported by Member Central. And in the category Excellence in Regular Publications, the TBA won for its Tennessee Bar Journal magazine. In addition, TBA’s Assistant Executive Director Barry Kolar was named the 2021 recipient of the E.A. “Wally” Richter Leadership Award. The award is given annually for outstanding achievement in the field of communications, extraordinary service to NABE colleagues, and distinguished leadership of the section. Kolar leads the TBA’s communications team and served as chair of the NABE Communications Section in 2014.

The Knoxville Bar Association will hold a reception on Nov. 9 for new admittees sworn into the practice of law next month. The event, which will take place in the outdoor courtyard of The Press Room, will run from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Local attorneys are encouraged to attend and “mix and mingle” with these new lawyers. Light refreshments will be provided. RSVP here.

The Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC), Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee & the Cumberlands and the Tennessee Faith & Justice Alliance are seeking attorney and law student volunteers for a virtual naturalization clinic on Oct. 23. Shifts are available from 9:30 to 3:30 p.m. CDT. A mandatory virtual training will be held on Oct. 19 at 1 pm CDT. Sign up for a volunteer slot.

The Tennessee Supreme Court Access to Justice Commission, Knoxville Bar Association and its Access to Justice Committee, Legal Aid of East Tennessee and the University of Tennessee College of Law will hold a Faith & Justice Alliance Advice Clinic on Oct. 23 at the Knox County Public Defender's Community Law Office, 1101 Liberty St., Knoxville 37919. Masks will be required. Sign up here to volunteer.

Republican leaders in the House and Senate are still working to obtain the support needed to call a special session on COVID-19 issues, Tennessee Lookout reports. In the Senate, members appear to be split on whether to call for a special session, with some arguing that the Biden administration’s mandates need a response and others concerned that a special session would be used to impose new mandates on private businesses. Lawmakers are set to return to Nashville Oct. 18 for a session focusing on the Ford-SK Innovation plant planned for the Memphis Regional Megasite.

Greg Vital of Harrison was formally sworn into the Tennessee State Legislature yesterday, WDEF reports. Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Timothy Easter administered the oath of office in the House chamber. Vital replaces former Rep. Mike Carter who died earlier this year. He will represent House District 29, which includes Ooltewah and Collegedale. Vital is operator of Vital Buffalo Farm and co-founder of Morning Pointe Senior Living.