Former U.S. Attorney for the Western Division, Mike Dunavant, has accepted a position with the state Comptroller’s Office, the Daily Memphian reports. In his new role, Dunavant will be the chief investigative counsel for the office’s Division of Investigations. He will focus on investigating allegations of fraud, waste and abuse in government and other publicly funded entities. “My heart’s desire is in public service, and I look forward to joining the outstanding team in the Comptroller’s Office to make government work better,” Dunavant said in a statement.

The Nashville office of Rainey, Kizer, Reviere & Bell PLC is looking to hire a full time associate attorney. The position requires strong academic credentials and 2-5 years of demonstrated experience in tort and insurance litigation. Salary is commensurate with experience and includes a comprehensive benefits package. Applications may be submitted to resume@raineykizer.com and should include a cover letter, resume, class rank, specific location of desired placement and three professional references. Application materials may also be mailed to Rainey, Kizer, Reviere & Bell, ATTN: Jennifer Howell, 209 East Main Street, Jackson, TN 38301.

The TBA Criminal Justice Section will host Criminal Law Basics 2021 on July 7 from 10 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. CDT. This year’s program will focus on sentencing practices and procedures, including an intro to sentencing, alternative sentencing measures and a diverse panel of judges, prosecutors and defense lawyers discussing different perspectives on these important issues. Among those panelists is Cyntoia Brown, a juvenile offender ordered to serve life in prison for murder before ultimately being granted clemency by former Gov. Bill Haslam. Register for the program here.

The Davidson County Election Commission on Thursday voted along party lines to ask the courts to review a proposed charter amendment from the Metro Nashville Council and rule on whether it should be added to the same July 27 ballot that will contain the anti-tax amendment from the 4GoodGovernment group. The city’s amendment is designed to blunt the anti-tax amendment, which would roll back a 34% property tax increase and curb the city's ability to raise future rates, according to the Tennessean. Commissioners and legal counsel argued that adding the city’s amendment to the same ballot would only confuse voters.

The Presidential Commission on the Supreme Court of the United States will hold its first meeting on Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. EDT. The meeting will be conducted virtually and is open to the public. Those who would like to attend must register at info@pcscotus.gov by submitting full name, organization (if applicable), email address and phone number. Public comments may also be submitted to the same email address. For more information contact Dana Fowler with the General Services Administration at 202-501-1777. The commission was established last month by President Joe Biden to study various changes to the Supreme Court, including whether to increase the number of justices.

Two law firms with offices in Tennessee have joined the Am Law 100 list this year. Long regarded as the definitive ranking of America’s top revenue-grossing law firms, the list gauges the financial performance of firms and their ongoing market positioning and future prospects. Loeb & Loeb, with a media and entertainment office in Nashville, debuted on the list at number 99. Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, with offices in Chattanooga, Johnson City, Knoxville, Memphis and Nashville, debuted at number 100. See the full list at Law.com.

The Nashville Bar Association will hold a reception on June 15 from 5 to 7 p.m. CDT to honor 2021 NBA President Mike Abelow, an attorney with Sherrard Roe Voigt & Harbison. The event will take place on the Pinnacle Green Roof at the Pinnacle at Symphony Place, 150 3rd Ave S., Nashville 37201. Complimentary parking in the Pinnacle garage, appetizers and beverages will be provided by the firm. RSVP here.

The Trial Court Vacancy Commission on Friday selected three candidates for Gov. Bill Lee to consider in filling a 14th Judicial District Circuit Court vacancy. Going before the governor will be Robert T. Carter, William Lockhart and Edward H. North. The Administrative Office of the Court has more on each candidate. The 14th judicial district covers Coffee County. The vacancy was created by the May 12 retirement of Judge L. Craig Johnson.

Lauren B. Jacques has been named the new managing partner of Bradley Arant Boult Cummings’ Nashville office. She replaces Lela M. Hollabaugh, who has served in the role since 2015 and who will remain with the firm as a litigation partner. Jacques is a member of the firm’s Healthcare and Corporate Practice groups where she focuses her practice on health care transactions. A 2011 graduate of Vanderbilt University Law School, she also has been involved with the Nashville Council of Health Care Attorneys and the American Health Law Association. Read more from the firm.

President Joe Biden's latest judicial nominees aren't just helping diversify the federal bench, they are also winning fans among those who have long lamented the lack of public defenders in the judiciary, Reuters reports. The White House last week announced six new nominations including two attorneys currently working at federal public defender offices. A third nominee has worked as a public defender in the past. Learn more about the picks.