The Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals last week upheld the guilty verdict and death penalty for Lmarcus Davidson, believed to be the ringleader of the 2007 murders of Christopher Newsom and Channon Christian, WATE reports. The court found that while some mistakes did happen during Davidson’s trial and appeal, they did not find enough reasons to grant a new trial or change the punishment. The court agreed that Davidson’s defense team should have requested a change of venue after extensive media coverage of the case, but that Davidson failed to demonstrate he was prejudiced by the deficient performance. The court also agreed that the jury should have heard testimony from a related case that another individual killed Newsom, but said the mistakes were “harmless beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Gov. Bill Lee took to Twitter to respond to a suggestion from the Biden administration that his executive order requiring opt outs for school mask mandates could violate federal law. Lee tweeted, "Regarding the Biden Administration letter: Parents know better than the government what’s best for their children." News Channel 5 has the story. In related news, a group of about 90 Tennessee doctors joined a public video conference today to urge Lee to reverse his executive order, while another 5,500 medical professionals signed an open letter imploring Lee to reverse course. The Tennessean reports on those efforts.

Williamson County Juvenile Court Judge Sharon Guffee has announced she will seek re-election in the May 3, 2022, primary, Williamson Herald reports. Guffee was first elected to the post in 2014 after serving in various judicial capacities in the county juvenile court system since 2004. Prior to that, she prosecuted crimes against children as an assistant district attorney general for the 21st Judicial District. She also worked on the county’s Child Protective Investigative Team and served as a founder and board member of the 21st Judicial District Drug Court (now known as Recovery Court). She currently serves on the governor’s Juvenile Justice Reform Implementation Council and the legislative committee for the Tennessee Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges.

The personal injury law firm of Morgan & Morgan, with offices in Memphis, Murfreesboro and Nashville, is offering to pay $100,000 to one lucky person who writes the best “catchy, unforgettable jingle that pairs well with fighting for justice,” the ABA Journal reports. “I want a unique and special sound” for the firm said partner John Morgan. The “Battle of the Jingles” asks amateur musicians to write an original song. It must contain the firm’s slogan, “For the people,” and at least one of three other phrases. The entrant must perform the song on video and post it on social media. Get full contest rules. Entries are due Sept. 26.

The Tennessee Supreme Court suspended 12 attorneys this week for failure to pay the annual registration fee. Nine of them also failed to file proof that client funds are held in an IOLTA-compliant account. View the Aug. 18 fee suspension order and IOLTA suspension order. See the list of all lawyers suspended for fee and IOLTA violations in 2021 or access all administrative suspensions dating back to 2005.

A number of lawyers have been reinstated after being suspended this week for failure to meet CLE requirements last year. See the updated list. Lawyers also have been reinstated after being suspended for CLE violations in 2020, 2019 and 2015.

The Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee & the Cumberlands (LAS) will hold three legal clinics this week. On Tuesday, a phone clinic will take place from 2 to 3:30 p.m.  On Wednesday, an in-person clinic for veterans will be held at Operation Stand Down, 1125 12th Ave. S. Nashville 37203, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Then on Saturday, Aug. 28, an in-person clinic will be held at the Belmont Ministry Center, 2005 12th Ave. S. Nashville 37204. Clinics will offer advice on housing and renters’ rights, bankruptcy, medical bills, debt collection, domestic violence, SNAP benefits and unemployment benefits. All times central. To volunteer, contact Andrae Crismon or Kendra Cheek or call 615-780-7131.

Hamilton County General Sessions Court Judge Gerald Webb is unable to hear cases after he was suspended for not completing CLE requirements, Chattanoogan.com reports. Webb was not in court this morning though he had a full docket for morning and afternoon sessions. Judge Christie Sell, the senior General Sessions judge, said she was alerted to the situation on Wednesday night and Judge Alex McVeigh stepped in and heard a few of Webb’s cases this morning. It is the second time Webb has been suspended for failure to complete CLE requirements. It happened last year, but he was able to get quickly reinstated.

An investiture ceremony will be held for Shelby County Chancellor Gadson William “Will” Perry next Wednesday at 3 p.m. CDT at Memphis City Hall, 125 N. Main St. 38103. A reception will follow in the Hall of Mayors. Face masks will be required. View the invitation. For those unable to attend in person, a live stream of the ceremony will be available on the city council’s website or YouTube channel. Perry, formerly a partner at Butler Snow, was named to the bench in June. He replaced former judge Walter L. Evans.

Shelby County Circuit Court Judge Felicia Corbin Johnson this week announced updated safety procedures for her court. Per her statement, the court will try to accommodate attorneys, parties, experts and witnesses, who for various reasons, do not yet feel comfortable attending in-person proceedings. For bench trials, the parties will have the option of having their matter heard in person or via Zoom. All jury trials, however, will be in person. All status conferences will be held virtually unless an in-person conference is requested. Attorneys may choose to have motions held in person, by Zoom or via brief without oral argument. Attorneys also may continue to submit orders via email. Read Johnson’s full statement.