The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee today took up the nomination of Memphis lawyer Andre Mathis for a seat on the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals. President Joe Biden nominated Mathis in November to fill a vacancy that will be created when Judge Bernice Bouie Donald takes senior status. Reuters reports that Mathis is the president’s first judicial nominee from a state with two Republican U.S. senators who do not support the nomination, and say that the White House failed to adequately consult with them about the pick. Sen. Marsha Blackburn called it "insulting" that the White House did not meaningfully consult her or fellow Sen. Bill Hagerty, and said she had "serious concerns" about Mathis' experience. Both she and Hagerty had recommended Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Camille McMullen as an alternative nominee for the post.

The Tennessee Bar Association will be closing at 3:30 p.m. CST tomorrow for staff training. The virtual office will reopen at 8 a.m. CST on Friday.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee today announced the appointment of Judge John W. Campbell Sr. to the state Court of Criminal Appeals for the Western Division. Campbell currently serves as a criminal court judge in the 30th Judicial District, which covers Shelby County. He formerly served as an assistant district attorney general in the district for 27 years. Campbell earned his law degree from the University of Memphis. He will fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Alan E. Glenn once approved by the General Assembly.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee today announced the appointment of Sarah K. Campbell to the Tennessee Supreme Court to fill a vacancy created by the death of Justice Cornelia A. Clark. Her nomination must be approved by the General Assembly. Campbell currently serves as the state’s associate solicitor general and special assistant to Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III. In that role she has represented Tennessee before the state Supreme Court, the U.S. Courts of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court. She previously worked for Williams & Connolly LLP in Washington, D.C. Campbell earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of Tennessee and both a master’s degree in public policy and a law degree at Duke University. Following law school, she clerked for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. and Judge William H. Pryor Jr. of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. The Tennessee Journal has additional information about Campbell’s career.

Texas lawyer Iffy Ibekwe, founder of Ibekwe Law, writes in an article for Above the Law about a conversation she recently had with other lawyers about a colleague’s successful civil jury verdicts. The conversation quickly turned to how others’ success can shed light on our insecurities and perceived shortcomings. Ibekwe says it’s natural to compare our work to others, but also warns that comparison can steal our joy. She also suggests asking, “Why do I care so much about what another attorney is earning?” or “Why do I care what another attorney is charging?” If the reason is because you want to be doing the same thing, then give yourself permission to go for it. “If you are dissatisfied and stuck where you are, permit yourself to go another way. Don’t find yourself being that lawyer in the back, grumbling about another lawyer doing what you may deep down want to do yourself. You may even discover that some things you desire are not worth the effort or misalign with your values ... No matter the outcome, when you permit yourself to try, you get opportunities to learn and grow.

As the Tennessee General Assembly discusses redistricting this week, it's a good time to learn more about the unusual term used to describe the drawing of these oddly shaped districts. As a direct result of two decisions more than six decades ago — Baker v. Carr and Reynolds v. Sims — the legislature (and all other state legislatures) engage in the process known as redistricting once every 10 years. It's called gerrymandering, but do you know why? John P. Williams details the history of how it got its name.

The Veterans’ Legal Advice Clinic is a joint project of the KBA/Barristers Access to Justice Committees, Legal Aid of East Tennessee, the Knox County Public Defender’s Community Law Office, the UT College of Law, LMU- Duncan School of Law, and the local Veterans Affairs office. This is a general advice and referral clinic that requires attorney volunteers for its continued operation. The next Veterans Legal Clinic will be held in person at the Knoxville Community Law Office on Feb. 9 from noon until 2 p.m. EST. Attorneys can register online to volunteer at the clinic. 

Johnson City attorney Stephanie Sherwood has announced she is running for Washington County General Sessions Court Part III judge, Johnson City Press reports. Sherwood has served for 12 years as a special substitute judge in Johnson City Municipal Court. She has also practiced in all three divisions of General Sessions Court - criminal, civil, and juvenile - across eight counties in East Tennessee during her 13 years as an attorney. Sherwood will be on the Washington County Republican primary election ballot on May 3.

A residential builder in Nashville has pleaded guilty for his role in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, the Tennessean reports. Blake Austin Reed pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority. He was caught on video and in photos wearing ski goggles and a respirator. Reed is among 22 others with ties to Tennessee who have been arrested on charges stemming from the riot. He faces up to a year in jail when he is sentenced April 15.

The debut of a new voting system in Shelby County is facing a possible delay after a chancery court ruling did not resolve the standoff between the Shelby County Commission and the Shelby County Election Commission over the new system, the Daily Memphian reports. The election commission filed suit last year, claiming the county commission illegally blocked its choice of voting machines by rejecting its contract with ES&S LLC. Special Chancellor Gadson W. Perry ruled in September that, by state law, the election commission can determine what kind of system to use, but the county commission decides whether to fund it. Perry said from the bench that he would grant permission for the election commission to appeal, but has not issued the formal order. With no appeals court order, there is uncertainty on whether a new system could be in place in time for three elections this year. If no new system is purchased, the county will continue to use its 20-year-old touchscreen machines.