The University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law and the Harwood Center Inc. will host a parent education session Nov. 6 from 6 to 7 p.m. CST for parents of children with disabilities. The session will cover kindergarten readiness, parental rights and available services to help families prepare their children for school. Register online and view the flyer for more information.

The Nashville Arts and Business Council will host a Volunteer Lawyers & Professionals for the Arts pro bono legal clinic on Nov. 5 from 6-8 p.m. CDT at the Country Music Association, 35 Music Square E. #201, Nashville 37203. The clinic will provide pro bono legal services to income-qualified artists, emerging arts nonprofit organizations, and creative businesses in drafting and reviewing contracts, protecting work with copyright and trademark and resolving arts-related disputes. Register here by Oct. 31 to participate. Attorneys interested in volunteering should contact vlpa@abcnashville.org.

The Knoxville Bar Association and the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, in partnership with Legal Aid of East Tennessee (LAET), will hold a Debt Relief Clinic on Nov. 15 to provide pro bono legal services to income-eligible consumer debtors. The clinic will begin at 9 a.m. EDT at the Knox County Public Defender's Community Law Office, 1101 Liberty St., Knoxville 37919. Judge Suzanne Bauknight will present a short overview of the bankruptcy system and then volunteer lawyers will conduct initial meetings with the clients to discuss their situations and options. Those interested in helping should register online. Clients seeking advice should call 865-637-0484.

Five people have been nominated to fill the vacancy on the Davidson County General Sessions Court left by Judge Jim Todd, who recently was appointed to a seat on the Davidson County Criminal Court to replace Cheryl Blackburn. The nominees are: defense attorney Jodie Bell, former state lawyer Mark Andrew Cole Sr., Leroy Ellis, Davidson County District Attorney General Office attorney David Jones, and lawyer C. Michael Robinson. They now have three days to file their completed questionnaire with the metro clerk. Candidates will appear before the Metro Council’s Rules, Confirmations and Public Elections Committee on Nov. 14. The full Metro Council will vote on the appointment on Nov. 18. Read more about them from the Nashville Banner.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday appeared ready to strike down a 2024 congressional map in Louisiana that a group of voters has challenged as the product of unconstitutional racial gerrymandering, Reuters reports. During nearly two-and-a-half hours of oral arguments, the court’s conservative justices signaled they are likely to limit Section 2, which bars voting maps that would result in diluting the clout of minorities, even without direct proof of racist intent.

The 2026 law school admissions cycle just began and data from the Law School Admission Council indicates the pool of applicants is 33% larger than it was at this time last year. According to Reuters, experts attribute the increase to the political climate and a tough job market for new college graduates. The current increase comes on top of last year’s boom, when the cycle started with a 26% jump in applicants before ending in an 18% increase — with 12,000 more people seeking a seat in law school.

The Tennessee Supreme Court reinstated Maryland lawyer Mohammad Ali Syed on Oct. 9. Syed had been on inactive status since Oct. 22, 2018. The Board of Professional Responsibility reported that the reinstatement petition was satisfactory and that Syed met the requirements of Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, § 10.8(c).

The Trial Court Vacancy Commission met in Nashville on Oct. 15 to select nominees for a vacancy in the 20th Judicial District’s Third Circuit Court. After holding a public hearing and conducting public interviews, the commission selected the following nominees to forward to Gov. Bill Lee for his consideration: Bethany P. Glandorf, Morgan E. Smith and John R. Wilks. Read about the nominees on the Administrative Office of the Courts’ website. The lawyer chosen by the governor will fill a vacancy created by the upcoming retirement of Judge Phillip R. Robinson on Oct. 17.

Due to the resignation of Christopher R. Stanford, district attorney general for the 31st Judicial District, Gov. Bill Lee’s office is accepting applications to fill the position until the next biennial election in August 2026. Applicants must have been a resident of the state for five years and a resident of the district — which covers Van Buren and Warren counties — for one year. To be considered, attorneys should submit a resume and cover letter to Chief Counsel to the Governor Erin Merrick by 5 p.m. CDT on Oct. 27 by emailing her assistant Katelin Brown. Read more in the official notice.

While Tennessee recognizes Celebrate Pro Bono Month throughout the month of October, the American Bar Association (ABA) promotes one week of the month as a National Celebration of Pro Bono. This year’s event will take place Oct. 19-25 with the theme of "Supporting Communities." Also held during the week is ABA Giving Day, set for Oct. 23 this year. Organized by the ABA's Fund for Justice and Education, this effort raises support for programs that help others through public service, policy initiatives and education programs. Read more in a press release about the upcoming celebration.