The Nashville legal community recently welcomed newly installed Supreme Court Justice Dwight E. Tarwater with a reception at the Nashville School of Law. A native of Knoxville, Tarwater earned his law degree from the University of Tennessee, where he previously earned his undergraduate degree in political science. He has had a long career in private practice with the Knoxville firms of Egerton, McAfee, Armistead and Davis and Paine Tarwater Bickers LLP. He also served as general counsel to former Gov. Bill Haslam. The event was jointly sponsored by the Tennessee Bar Association, the Lawyers' Association for Women, the Nashville Bar Association and Nashville School of Law. See photos from the event.

Nashville judge William Griffin IV died Sept. 22 at the age of 81. A Nashville native, Griffin attended Montgomery Bell Academy and received his undergraduate and law degrees from Vanderbilt University. He practiced law in Nashville for more than 30 years, followed by 12 years serving Davidson County as a juvenile court judge. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to Montgomery Bell Academy, 4001 Harding Pike, Nashville, TN 37205.

Throughout this month, Tennessee lawyers are joining colleagues across the country to increase meaningful access to justice and commitment to pro bono work. Now in its 15th year, Tennessee’s statewide Celebrate Pro Bono Month initiative brings together legal services providers with bar associations, law schools, law firms and individual volunteers to offer free services to those unable to afford a lawyer. The month of October is an opportunity to focus attention on the significant need for pro bono services as well as a time to celebrate the outstanding work of those in the legal community who volunteer their services throughout the year. Events, including in-person and virtual opportunities to volunteer, will be promoted in TBA Today and via social media. The American Bar Association's National Pro Bono Celebration will be held the week of Oct. 22, with the theme "Voices of Democracy: Ensuring Justice for All." If you have information about an upcoming pro bono event, please share it with TBA at tbatoday@tnbar.org.

Today is the deadline to reserve a discounted hotel room for the TBA's Health Law Forum. The $279 rate at the Hyatt Centric Nashville will be honored for the nights of Nov. 1-2. Reserve your room here. Now in its 35th year, the Health Law Forum remains the premier event for Tennessee health care lawyers. In addition to timely topics such as AI and telehealth, this year’s event will feature a Thursday night reception allowing attendees to catch up with colleagues from across the state. Register for the forum now.

The Tennessee Justice Center (TJC) will honor Monica Mackie during its 2023 Hall of Fame Gala on Oct. 26 from 6-8:30 p.m. CDT at City Winery, 609 Lafayette St., Nashville 37203. Mackie will be recognized for her efforts, dating back to 2013, to create the TJC’s annual fundraising event as well as her work as a board member and ongoing support for the center's lasting success and impact. Get tickets here. Mackie is the former executive director of the Nashville Bar Association and a former TBA staff member.

THAPAR, Circuit Judge. Marlon Lundy pulled out a 9-millimeter pistol, chambered a round, and pointed the gun at Alyssa Kirk, the mother of his children. Minutes later, Kirk told the police what happened. An officer recorded her statement on his bodycam, and the government played the recording at Lundy’s trial. On appeal, Lundy argues the district court shouldn’t have let the jury hear Kirk’s recorded statement. We disagree and affirm.

The Board of Law Examiners has released statistics about the July 2023 bar exam. According to the board, 713 individuals — 574 first time test takers and 139 repeaters — took the July exam. They represent more than 90 different law schools and saw an overall pass rate of 67.18%. For first time test-takers at Tennessee law schools, Belmont University College of Law saw the highest pass rate at 93.4%, followed by Vanderbilt University Law School at 88.89%, University of Tennessee College of Law at 81.82%, Nashville School of Law at 78.37%, University of Memphis School of Law at 75% and Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law at 60.61%. See all statistical information from the July exam or from past exams on the board’s webpage. The list of those who passed the July exam was released Oct. 6.

The deadline to reserve a discounted hotel room for the TBA's Health Law Forum is tomorrow, Oct. 11. The $279 rate at the Hyatt Centric Nashville will be honored for the nights of Nov. 1-2. Reserve your room here. Now in its 35th year, the Health Law Forum remains the premier event for Tennessee health care lawyers. In addition to timely topics such as AI and telehealth, this year’s event will feature a Thursday night reception allowing attendees to catch up with colleagues from across the state. Register for the forum now.

A Decatur County Jury found Dustin Len Lovelace, Defendant, guilty of facilitation of aggravated robbery. Defendant claims that the evidence was insufficient to support the conviction. After a thorough review of the record and applicable law, we affirm the judgment.

The Appellant, Taylor Jenkins Littrell, appeals the Carroll County Circuit Court’s order revoking his probation and ordering him to serve the remainder of his four-year sentence in confinement. The Appellant alleges that the trial court abused its discretion by: (1) admitting a blood alcohol report in violation of his confrontation rights; and (2) ordering him to serve the remainder of his sentence in confinement. Finding no reversible error, we affirm the trial court’s judgment.