Campbell County attorney Kristie Nicole Anderson was reinstated to the practice of law on Aug. 9. She had been suspended on July 9 for one year with 30 days to be served on active suspension and the remainder on probation. The Tennessee Supreme Court conditioned reinstatement on Anderson’s engagement of a practice monitor to meet with her monthly during the probationary period to assess her case load, timeliness of tasks, adequacy of communication with clients and accounting procedures.

Federal agents have arrested a Knoxville man on charges he illegally entered the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 riot, Knoxnews reports. Clifford Meteer is accused of climbing the stone handrailing of a staircase, entering the building and walking around for 30 minutes. Meteer allegedly talked about his actions on social media, sending friends private messages and posting a public comment on Facebook. The FBI began investigating his involvement after one of his relatives submitted an online tip. Meteer appeared in the local federal court Tuesday, was appointed a public defender and directed to appear in Washington, D.C., federal court on Aug. 17. The paper also has this overview of all 16 Tennesseans who have been arrested in connection with the Jan. 6 events.

The Arts & Business Council's Volunteer Lawyers and Professionals for the Arts and the law firm of Bradley Arant Boult Cummings will provide free legal services for Black-owned small businesses and nonprofits at a clinic next Thursday. Eligible businesses may receive up to one hour of pro bono legal assistance. Appointments are first come, first serve. Companies may sign up online. For more information or to volunteer email vlpa@abcnashville.org.

Purdue Pharma’s quest to settle thousands of lawsuits over the impact of OxyContin and other prescription opioid painkillers entered its final phase yesterday, the Associated Press reports. Nearly two years after seeking bankruptcy protection, the company appeared before a bankruptcy court to seek approval of a plan to reorganize into a new entity with profits dedicated to abating the opioid crisis. The company says the plan could be worth $10 billion over time with funds going to treatment programs and education campaigns. A portion also would go to individual victims and their families. Action News 5 has the story.

Opponents of Davidson County District Attorney Glenn Funk are seeking someone to challenge him in 2022, the Nashville Scene reports. Activists are unhappy with Funk’s handling of the case of former Metro Nashville Police Officer Andrew Delke, who was given a plea agreement for the killing of Daniel Hambrick. Among the group is former public defender and onetime congressional candidate Keeda Haynes. “We’re calling on anyone who wants to run against Glenn Funk, come holler at us,” she recently said. While Haynes is often mentioned as a possible candidate, she tells the paper she is not running. Another name mentioned is Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Beth Myers, who declined to comment when asked.

Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, is asking Gov. Bill Lee to call a special session of the legislature to “curtail the overreach by independent health boards and officials” and “protect all Tennesseans from misdirected mandates” related to COVID-19, WPLN reports. In a letter to the governor, signed by all House Republicans, Sexton also says the legislature should “evaluate the ongoing discrimination” against people prevented from entering buildings because they are unvaccinated. Senate Speaker Randy McNally has dismissed the idea of a special session but says if one is held it should focus on keeping classrooms healthy and safe. Lee’s office says he is reviewing the request.

Shelby County Commissioner Van Turner has formed an exploratory committee to seek the seat of Memphis mayor in 2023, the Commercial Appeal reports. “I’m exploring the opportunity. I’ve seen that it’s an open seat in 2023 and after that exploratory effort I’ll announce what my intentions are,” Turner said yesterday. Turner is a partner in the law firm of Bruce & Turner PLLC. He was first elected to the county commission in 2014 and reelected in 2018. His term ends in 2022. Turner is also president of the Memphis branch of the NAACP, and president and CEO of Memphis Greenspace, the nonprofit that purchased a number of public parks to remove confederate monuments. He is a former Shelby County Democratic Party chairman and was a member of the TBA’s Leadership Law class of 2008.

The Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee & the Cumberlands (LAS) will hold an in-person legal clinic this Saturday from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at the Belmont Ministry Center, 2005 12th Ave. S. Nashville 37204. Next week, LAS will hold a phone clinic on Tuesday at 2-3:30 p.m. Both of these clinics will serve those with questions about housing and renters’ rights, bankruptcy, medical bills, debt collection, domestic violence, SNAP benefits and unemployment benefits. Then on Wednesday, a clinic will be held from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. for veterans only at Operation Stand Down Nashville, 1125 12th Ave. S. Nashville 37203. All times central. To volunteer, contact Andrae Crismon or Kendra Cheek or call 615-780-7131.

The Tennessee Bar Association is accepting applications to fill its coordinator position for the Young Lawyers Division (YLD) and Law Student Development. The successful candidate for this position will facilitate and coordinate meetings, projects and activities of the YLD and coordinate the TBA’s law student membership program and law school outreach efforts. Find out more about the opening or apply by email to TBA Assistant Executive Director Barry Kolar now. 

Arizona-based Guidant Law Firm yesterday announced it is expanding its entertainment practice with the opening of a new office in Brentwood. Entertainment attorney James Kuzmich will lead the new office in helping artists negotiate legal contracts, such as record deals, management, production, publishing and licensing agreements, trade name protection and copyright registration and termination. The Brentwood office will be located at 9005 Overlook Rd., Ste. 224. Read more on Guidant’s website.