The Tennessee Supreme Court appointed Nashville lawyer Carolyn Schott to a two-year term on the Board of Law Examiners this week. Schott’s appointment took effect Jan. 1 and will run through Dec. 31, 2024. She is a member at Sherrard Roe Voigt & Harbison, practicing in the areas of in the areas of business, tax, trusts and estates. She replaces her colleague and former TBA President William L. Harbison, whose term ended on Dec. 31, 2021. Download the order.

The ABA is offering volunteer lawyers a new opportunity to help families in 11 cities navigate their now-accelerated immigration court proceedings. In May, the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice introduced a “dedicated docket” process, which promises to yield asylum decisions within 300 days of initial hearings. In response, the ABA has launched the Pro Bono Matters for Families Facing Deportation website, which collects and lists the cases of families who need legal representation. Volunteer lawyers who sign up to help will have access to a pro bono manual and training sessions. Those interested can register online or email Adonia Simpson. Read more in the ABA Journal or in a press release from the group.

Clarksville lawyer Joel Wallace has announced his candidacy for the 19th Judicial District Circuit Court, Division III. The seat is currently held by Judge Ted Crozier Jr. who is retiring, Mainstreet Clarksville reports. Wallace has practiced law since 2006 with the law firm of Cunningham, Mitchell & Rocconi. He served two terms on the Clarksville City Council from 2008 to 2016, and currently serves on a number of local boards and commissions. Wallace is a former member of the TBA Young Lawyers Division Board, current co-chair of the TBA Public Service Academy and a new member of the TBA’s 2022 Leadership Law class. He received both his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Memphis. The 19th Judicial District serves Montgomery and Robertson counties.

Montgomery County Assistant Public Defender James Bagby has announced his candidacy for Division II general sessions and juvenile court judge. Bagby will run as an independent and will appear on the Aug. 4 ballot, ClarksvilleNow reports. Bagby grew up in Clarksville. He spent several years as an adult probation officer before becoming a law clerk and attending the Nashville School of Law. He has practiced law since 2008. He says that as a bilingual candidate he will be able to communicate better with those who appear in court.

Knox County lawyer Mark Steven Graham was publicly censured today by the Tennessee Supreme Court. The court found that he filed a trademark application when he was suspended from the practice of law in Tennessee and not licensed to practice law in any other state. His actions were determined to violate Rules of Professional Conduct 5.5 and 8.4(g). A censure is a rebuke and warning, but it does not affect an attorney’s ability to practice law.

The Virtual Debt Relief Clinic developed by the TBA Young Lawyers Division, Legal Aid of East Tennessee and U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Suzanne Bauknight in 2020 is one of four projects being considered for the ABA 2022 Louis M. Brown Award for Legal Access. The clinic is also eligible for the Brown Select Award, which is given to the project that receives the most online votes from the public. Support from lawyers across the state would make a big impact. Please take a minute to vote before noon CST on Jan. 21.

The TBA announced today the selection of 34 attorneys from across the state for its 2022 Leadership Law (TBALL) program. TBALL is designed to equip Tennessee lawyers with the vision, knowledge and skills necessary to serve as leaders in their profession and local communities. The class will meet for its first session in March and spend the next six months learning about leadership in the legal profession, issues in the courts, policymaking in state government and the importance of community service. The program, now in its nineteenth year, is produced by a steering committee of 12 attorneys, all former class members. Co-chairing the program are Terica Smith from the 26th Judicial District Attorney General's office in Jackson and Jeffrey Maddux of Chambliss Bahner & Stophel in Chattanooga. Meet the Class of 2022.

The Nashville Arts & Business Council is seeking lawyers to volunteer for its online legal clinic “Ask The Experts.” The pro bono clinic offers free 30-minute sessions for artists, musicians and other creatives to get their legal and business questions answered. The next clinic will take place Feb. 9 from 6 to 8 p.m. CST. Volunteer here.

Circuit Court Judge Adrienne Fry, the current Part 1 judge in the 19th Judicial District, has announced she will run for re-election, Mainstreet Clarksville reports. Fry was appointed to the seat last year by Gov. Bill Lee to fill a vacancy left by the retirement of Judge Ross Hicks. She is a graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Law and has practiced for over a decade throughout both Montgomery and Robertson Counties. Fry lives in Clarksville and is involved in a number of non-profits, including TN Achieves Program, which helps mentor young people entering college.

Former Davidson County General Sessions and Circuit Judge Barbara Haynes died yesterday after a long illness, the Tennessean reports. She was 84. Haynes was the first woman elected general sessions judge in the county and was later elected to the circuit court. She was the first person in her family to attend college. It was there she met her husband Joe Haynes, who went on to serve as a Democratic state senator and her law partner. He died in 2018. A 1976 graduate of the Nashville School of Law, Haynes was just five years into her career when she ran and won a seat on the bench. She served as a judge until her retirement in 2011. In 1986, she was appointed to lead the Tennessee Sentencing Commission, overseeing an overhaul of the state's sentencing guidelines and criminal code. She also helped found the Lawyers Association for Women. Memorial donations may be made to the Barbara Haynes Scholarship, Harpeth Hall School, 3801 Hobbs Rd. Nashville 37215; Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, 2200 Children’s Way, Nashville 37232; Pencil for Schools, 7199 Cockrill Bend Blvd., Nashville 37209; or a charity of the donor’s choice. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.