Individual tickets to a number of TBA’s 2022 Convention events are now available for purchase. Tickets for events taking place next Thursday include law school alumni breakfasts, the Bench Bar Luncheon and the joint evening social event with judges at Fifth and Broadway. Tickets for next Friday’s Lawyers Luncheon also are available. Full convention registration, which includes all of the events above plus nine hours of CLE credit, also remains available.

Following this year’s Bench Bar program, which focuses in part on judges as leaders, the Bench Bar Luncheon will feature a judge who has been a leader throughout her career: U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Bernice Donald. In 1982, Donald was elected to the General Sessions Criminal Court, where she became the first African American woman to serve as a judge in the history of the State of Tennessee. When she was later appointed as a judge on the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Tennessee, she became the first African American woman in the history of the United States to serve as a bankruptcy judge. From there she went on to serve on the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee and the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, becoming the first Black female judge on each of those courts. Don’t miss the opportunity to hear from Judge Donald, who is set to take senior status on the court as soon as her replacement is confirmed. Admission to next Thursday's luncheon is included in the full 2022 Convention registration or individual tickets can now be purchased.

Tennessee lawmakers last year created a rare chance for defendants on death row to have their sentences reviewed under new intellectual disability standards. Attorneys for Byron Black — who was sentenced to death for three 1998 murders — now have filed an appeal with the state Court of Criminal Appeals after Senior Judge Walter Kurtz declined to review it earlier this year, the Tennessean reports. Kurtz ruled that because Black previously challenged his sentence under the old law and lost, he is not eligible to bring a challenge under the new law. Black’s attorneys have long argued Black’s intellectual disabilities should bar him from execution. Nashville’s district attorney also supported the motion considered by Kurtz, which would have allowed Black's sentence to be reset to life in prison without parole.

The Tennessee Department of Revenue has started issuing notices related to 2022 legislation affecting the agency. Notices issued last week include one related to a change in county motor vehicle title fees and six related to application of the state sales tax, including for computer software, gun safes and safety devices, broadband investment, coins/currency/bullion, vendor’s compensation, and food tax holiday. To receive alerts as new notices are issued, sign up for the department’s email list.

The Arts & Business Council's Volunteer Lawyers and Professionals for the Arts is joining the law firm of Bradley Arant Boult Cummings in providing free legal services for Black-owned small businesses and nonprofits at a clinic next Thursday. Issues to be covered include questions about business formation, corporate governance, contract review and navigating local ordinances and state regulations. Eligible businesses may receive up to one hour of assistance but must register by June 13. Clients may sign up online. To volunteer, email vlpa@abcnashville.org.

Tennessee Rep. Vincent Dixie, D-Nashville, says he plans to sponsor a bill in 2023 requiring handgun buyers to register with the state, Tennessee Lookout reports. The legislation would be modeled on a North Carolina law that requires handgun purchasers to obtain a pistol purchase permit from a local sheriff. The requirement would also apply to private sales, gifts and inheritances, but it would not apply if the individual has a concealed handgun permit from the state. In the wake of recent shootings, Dixie says this should be the “bare minimum” for people who want to buy handguns. “We need to stop the sale of guns to people who should not have them.”

Davidson County Chancellor Russell Perkins ruled Friday that the Tennessee Republican Party violated the state open meetings act when it met in private to remove Robby Starbuck from the primary ballot in the 5th Congressional District race. In declaring the removal void, Perkins ruled that Starbuck’s name should be restored to the ballot, Tennessee News Journal reports. The party could decide to appeal but the timing is tricky; the deadline to finalize ballots for the Aug. 4 primary is Friday. The Journal has the opinion.

Gov. Bill Lee signed an executive order today directing the state to evaluate school security and training for Tennessee law enforcement News Channel 5 reports. Executive Order 97 is also meant to promote engagement with parents and schools to enhance safety, Lee said. Under the plan, the state is tasked with updating its school safety plan, conducting an independent safety assessment, and creating new training and education materials on school safety. The state also will assess law enforcement training standards and evaluate the use of armed security guards at non-public schools. Finally, state agencies will help school districts implement current laws, which require an annual security assessment and submission of a safety plan. Under the order, schools also must increase the frequency of security audits.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Tennessee is seeking an assistant U.S. attorney (AUSA) in the criminal division. The successful applicant will be responsible for the investigation and prosecution of criminal cases involving violent crime, firearms, narcotics or fraud and white collar crime. Candidates should have two years of work experience as an attorney and will undergo an FBI background investigation. Those interested should email a resume and cover letter to U.S. Attorney Mark H. Wildasin. Get complete application instructions for this position or see other opportunities on TBA’s JobLink.

Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Sarah K. Campbell was honored today at an investiture ceremony held at Belmont University’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts. Those speaking at the ceremony included Belmont College of Law Dean Alberto Gonzales, Tennessee Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III, Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger A. Page, TBA President Sherie Edwards, Nashville Bar Association President Martesha Johnson, and Jonathan Skrmetti, general counsel to the governor. Gov. Bill Lee also offered remarks in support of Campbell’s appointment and administered the oath of office to her. See photos from the event.