Law firm leaders and a prominent legal writer will join ABA President Patricia Lee Refo on July 29 at 1 p.m. EDT to discuss the current debate among lawyers on whether and how to return to the office after the pandemic. The one-hour online webinar will coincide with the release of the “2021 ABA Profile of the Legal Profession,” an annual compilation of statistics and trends among lawyers, judges and law students. New to the report this year is a chapter on how the pandemic has affected lawyers. In addition to Refo, the panel will include: CNN legal analyst Joey Jackson, Above the Law founder David Lat, Chicago lawyer Patricia Brown Holmes and St. Louis lawyer J.Y. Miller, who manages Husch Blackwell’s virtual law team. Register here. For more information contact Marc Davis, 202-662-1773.

Tennessee Attorney General Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III has joined a coalition of 26 other state attorneys general to file an amicus brief in the first Second Amendment case to go before the U.S. Supreme Court in over a decade, Yahoo! News reports. The group, led by Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich and Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt, is supporting a challenge to concealed carry laws in New York state. Those opposing the law argue that law-abiding New York residents were denied firearm permits even after demonstrating a need for one. Read more about the case and track its progress on SCOTUSblog.com.

In his column in the July/August Tennessee Bar Journal, Wade Davies points out the discrepancies between what is on the books and what the practice is, when it comes to bail in Tennessee, and he lists practical issues to consider from existing statutes. This column, "Getting Clients Out of Jail: Bail Statutes Versus Reality," emphasizes that statutes are already in effect that, properly applied, should minimize unfair detention — but for various reasons, often don't. 

The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee will hold a portrait unveiling and Memorial Garden dedication for former Chief Judge Pamela L. Reeves on Aug. 27. The portrait unveiling will take place at 1:30 p.m. EDT at the Church Street United Methodist Church, 900 Henley at Main, Knoxville 37902. The garden dedication will be held afterward at the Howard M. Baker Jr. United States Courthouse, 800 Market St., Knoxville 37902. Reeves, a former TBA president, died Sept. 10, 2020, following a battle with cancer.

Shelby County lawyer Melanie Renee Yelder died July 19. Yelder maintained a solo practice in Tennessee for over 17 years, and was also licensed and practiced in Arkansas and Missouri. She graduated from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law. Yelder’s practice included family law, tort and collections matters. She was also a strong supporter of pro bono work. Most recently, she dedicated her time and energy to housing stabilization efforts through the Eviction Settlement and Emergency Rental Assistance Programs, helping to prevent the eviction of Shelby County residents impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. She was awarded the Memphis Bar Association’s W. J. Michael Cody Access to Justice Award in 2020. The Memphis Bar Association announced her passing today.

Make plans now to join the TBA Bankruptcy Section for the 17th Annual Bankruptcy Law Forum Sept. 24-26 in Gatlinburg. Ten hours of CLE credit are available for this program, including three hours of ethics credit. Registration is limited for this in-person program, so don't delay in reserving your spot for this unique program in a wonderful and relaxing setting.

The Tennessee Supreme Court today appointed Judge Thomas J. Wright as a senior judge for a term of four years, effective Sept. 1. Wright is currently a circuit court judge in the state’s Third Judicial District, which includes Greene, Hancock, Hamblen and Hawkins counties. He will retire on Aug. 31. Wright joined the court in 2006. He previously served as Greene County General Sessions and Juvenile Court judge for eight years.

The Trial Court Vacancy Commission today voted to send three candidates to Gov. Bill Lee for his consideration in filling a seat on the 25th Judicial District Circuit Court, which covers Fayette, Hardeman, Lauderdale, McNairy and Tipton counties. After conducting a public hearing and interviews of five candidates, the commission voted to recommend James Walter Freeland Jr. of Covington, Rachel J. Jackson of Ripley and Anthony Blake Neill of Somerville. The vacancy was created by the July 2 retirement of Judge Joe H. Walker III. Read more about the three candidates on the Administrative Office of the Court’s website.

The State Building Commission voted 5-2 today to concur with earlier recommendations to move the busts of KKK leader Nathan Bedford Forrest and admirals David Farragut and Albert Gleaves from the state Capitol to the Tennessee State Museum. Gov. Bill Lee voted for the removal, which is slated to happen tomorrow. Tennessee House of Representatives Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, and Senate Speaker Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, were the two commission members to vote against removal. Both have repeatedly tried to stop any effort to take down the Forrest bust, Nashville Post reports.

The Tennessee Department of Revenue is hosting another free webinar on July 27 beginning at 9 a.m. CDT. Participants will learn about tax law changes considered during the last General Assembly session and be able to ask questions of department personnel. Register for the upcoming event or check out past webinars on the department’s website.