Portland lawyer and TBA member David Milton Amonette died June 12. He was 80. Amonette was born in Nashville and graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1964. After serving in the Air Force National Guard during the Vietnam War, he earned his law degree attending the YMCA Law School at night, graduating in June 1973. Amonette began his 50-year law career in the Third National Bank legal department before joining Nashville law firm Bone & Woods. Amonette also ran for state senator in 1982. Visitation will be held Sunday from 1-3 p.m. CDT at McKendree Memorial United Methodist Church, 208 Wheeler St., Portland 37148. A celebration of Amonette’s life will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to McKendree Memorial UMC.

Memphis lawyer Jim Barry was sworn in Friday as the 143rd president of the Tennessee Bar Association. During the luncheon, he outlined his goals for the year. If you missed the livestream of his remarks, the recording is available on the TBA Facebook page.

Mark your calendar for Dec. 1 and plan to attend the Annual Environmental Forum! More details will be available soon on the CLE website.

The Johnson County Commission on Thursday accepted the resignation of Judge Perry Stout for what he called “immoral” acts, WJHL reports. But Stout told commissioners he hopes to return to the bench, planning to run again in 2024. Stout serves as a general sessions and juvenile court judge. He self-reported an incident in January involving “court staff.” County Mayor Larry Potter said the incident involved “an elected official and a county employee.” During a commission meeting this week, Stout said he did not break any laws but said it was best that he step aside. “All acts were consensual with a woman twice the age of consent,” he told the panel. The commission will appoint someone until the next election.

YWCA Nashville will hold a virtual conversation with academics, community leaders and advocates on June 28 to discuss what the Second Amendment was created to protect. The event, part of the group’s Stand Against Injustice webinar series, will offer unique perspectives on America’s relationship to gun rights and the Second Amendment in advance of the General Assembly’s special session to consider gun safety in the state. Register here for the free event.

Memphis lawyer Jim Barry has been sworn into office as the 143rd president of the Tennessee Bar Association. The oath of office was administered by Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Jeffrey Bivins during the TBA’s Annual Lawyers Lunch. Barry, who is retired from International Paper, highlighted his plans for the coming bar year, including a new housing subcommittee of the Access to Justice Committee to focus on evictions and affordable housing, an effort to expand the pool of attorneys in the state willing to do pro bono work, a new initiative to provide safe options for pets of domestic violence victims and an effort to keep lawyers engaged with the bar as they transition to retirement. He also pledged to continue several initiatives started by predecessors, including the Women in the Profession Committee, the Court Square CLE series, legislative advocacy to increase pay for indigent representation and eliminate the professional privilege tax, and the TBA book club, with the first book to be Beale Street Dynasty by Preston Lauterbach. Finally, Barry announced that the TBA would be traveling to Ireland in May 2024. Those interested in learning more about the trip can sign up here for updates. See photos from the event.

Daniel Ellsberg, the military analyst who became infamous for leaking the Pentagon Papers to news outlets in 1971, has died, according to his family. He was 92 years old. As a military analyst working on a Pentagon project in 1971, Ellsberg chose to release to the public an extensive, documentary record of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. Known as the "Pentagon Papers," Ellsberg's mammoth disclosure helped end the longest U.S. war of the 20th century. Read the obituary from NPR.

State Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti's office has engaged external attorneys to help defend at least one federal lawsuit. The Tennessean reports that Cameron Norris with Virginia law firm Consovoy McCarthy PLLC, and Adam Mortara with Nashville-based Lawfair LLC are now representing Tennessee in an ongoing lawsuit against the state's new law banning gender transition treatments for minors. The attorneys, and any other attorneys at their firm, have been engaged at a $400 hourly rate, with a $100 hourly rate allotted for any non-attorney staff who may bill hours, according to documents obtained by The Tennessean.

NALBANDIAN, Circuit Judge, writing for the majority, except as to Part III.B.3. Said Taleb was a creditor in two related bankruptcy cases. Neither case gave Taleb what he wanted. So he appealed both bankruptcy cases to the district court, which dismissed his claims. Taleb now appeals to us. He argues that the district court improperly dismissed his claims as constitutionally and equitably moot. Outside of his forfeited claims, we agree with Taleb. So we reverse and remand to the district court.

The Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators held the first of four town halls on Thursday in Hamilton County. The Chattanoogan reports that the lawmakers answered questions about new third-grade testing requirements, juvenile justice and marijuana. Next, caucus members will travel to Knoxville, Nashville and Memphis. Rep. Yusuf Hakeem, D-Chattanooga, was joined Thursday by caucus members and Memphis Democrats Sen. Raumesh Akbari, Rep. Joe Towns, Rep. Antonio Parkinson and Rep. Jesse Chism, as well as caucus Chair Rep. Sam McKenzie, D-Knoxville. The Black Caucus is a nonpartisan group, though there have been no Republican members join yet, Akbari said Thursday.