Legal Aid of East Tennessee will hold a free Parenting Plan Advice Clinic on July 21 from 1-4 p.m. EDT at the Slater Community Center, 325 McDowell St., Bristol 37620. Attorney volunteers are still needed. For more information or to sign up contact Matthew Sharp at msharp@laet.org. Clients can register here. View a flyer for the event.

Three more states have announced they will adopt the NextGen Uniform Bar Exam (UBE). Law.come reports that Alabama, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania have joined the growing number of states agreeing to utilize the new exam. This brings to 43 the total number of jurisdictions adopting the NextGen UBE, which aims to assess practical legal skills and ethical decision-making, preparing new lawyers for the realities of modern legal practice. Also recently, one state rejected the new exam. Nevada has announced that its bar exam will include three components: a multiple-choice section, a performance examination and a supervised practice component.

Make plans now to join colleagues on July 31 for a panel discussion outlining how attorneys can serve nonprofit organizations. Produced by the Tennessee Bar Association and West Tennessee Legal Services, this program is the first in a three-part series to equip attorneys with the skills and confidence to create, strengthen and support the work of nonprofit organizations. Presenters first will provide an overview of nonprofit law, including the formation, governance and tax implications associated with operating a nonprofit organization. Next, a panel of nonprofit experts will discuss their experiences and recommendations for creating a nonprofit. Although the event is designed for legal professionals, all are welcome to join. Registration for this webcast is free but 1.5 hours of general CLE credit is available for a $50 processing fee.

Tennessee state Rep. Jay Reedy, R-Erin, who previously filed paperwork to launch a bid for the 7th Congressional District seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Mark Green, has decided not to run. Clarksville Now reports that Reedy dropped out of the contest, saying, “At this time I feel God has placed me in the Tennessee state House and the job is not yet finished. His departure leaves these five Republicans and two Democrats to face off in their respective party primaries. The field also includes former state Rep. Brandon Ogles and health executive Mason Foley on the Republican side and state Rep. Vincent Dixie on the Democratic side. Former Nashville mayor Megan Barry and state Republican Sen. Bill Powers of Clarksville, who originally had expressed interest in the seat, have decided not to run.

Petitioner, Victor Valle, appeals the denial of his petition for writ of habeas corpus relief, arguing that he was entitled to and did not receive juvenile proceedings before the trial court admitted evidence of prior bad acts committed while Petitioner was a minor; the trial court erred by admitting evidence of prior bad acts; he received ineffective assistance of counsel; his indictment was insufficient to provide the trial court with subject matter jurisdiction; the State committed prosecutorial misconduct; the trial court improperly instructed the jury; and the cumulative effect of these errors deprived him of his right to a fair trial. After review, we affirm the judgment of the habeas corpus court.

Jonathan Duncan, Defendant, was indicted for first degree murder, felony murder, and aggravated robbery by the Wilson County Grand Jury for his involvement in the death of Ellis Sanders, the victim. After a jury trial, he was found guilty on all counts and sentenced to an effective sentence of life imprisonment. After the denial of a motion for new trial, Defendant appeals, arguing: 1) the evidence was insufficient to support the convictions; 2) Defendant’s right to a fair and impartial jury was violated because jurors slept during trial, the trial court required the jury to work “extensive and unreasonable hours,” and the trial court interfered with the jury by holding ex parte meetings; and 3) the trial court erred in allowing the State to present evidence of uncharged bad acts in violation of Tennessee Rule of Evidence 404(b). After a thorough review, we affirm the judgments of the trial court but remand the matter to the trial court for entry of corrected judgment forms to reflect merger of the first degree murder and felony murder convictions.

Testimony continued into a second day on what impact death row inmate Byron Black’s cardioverter-defibrillator will have once pentobarbital is administered to him during his Aug. 5 execution. On Wednesday, the state made its case. Two expert witnesses testified that the device will not cause additional pain. Both were in direct opposition to Monday’s testimony from witness who asserted the pentobarbital will cause the device to repeatedly shock Black. Davidson County Chancellor Russell Perkins has said a ruling can be expected by Friday. The Nashville Banner reports on the proceeding in its latest newsletter.

Because no final order has been entered in the underlying trial court proceedings, this Court lacks jurisdiction to consider this appeal.

Metro Nashville Police have charged Phaitoon Sean Viryasiri for sending threatening letters to four judges, the Nashville Banner reports. Viryasiri, an inmate in the Davidson County Jail, was charged with a Class E felony for threatening Criminal Court Judge Khadija Babb with retaliation for decisions made when he was a defendant in her court. He also was charged with Class A misdemeanor for harassing threats in 17 letters sent to Babb, Criminal Court Judge Angelita Blackshear Dalton, Criminal Court Judge Cynthia Chappell and General Sessions Court Judge Ana Escobar. Viryasiri has been in jail since last October for probation violations related to felony assault and burglary convictions. The police department previously announced it was investigating the threats.

The TBA’s Summer CLE Event continues next week with a one-hour webcast focused on the legal writing rules you should be breaking to become more persuasive. Make plans to join the CLE Performer Stuart Teicher on July 23 from noon to 1 p.m. CDT to learn more. Can’t make this time? The program also is available on demand. Looking for something else? Check out all our July offerings.