State Sen. Heidi Campbell, D-Nashville, this week asked Davidson County District Attorney Glenn Funk to investigate the state’s no-bid contracting process, the Tennessean reports. In a letter to Funk on Tuesday, Campbell requested an “audit and financial review” of all emergency purchases made by Gov. Bill Lee during the pandemic. Campbell said the process leaves the public in the dark on how the state selects contractors. Lee’s emergency powers allow him to sign contracts without a competitive bidding process. Any contracts that are considered emergency purchases are also not subject to legislative oversight. Funk’s office today signaled the DA would be in favor of conducting the audit.

The Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments completed Supreme Court candidate interviews today and voted to send the names of Sarah Campbell, Kristi M. Davis and Neal McBrayer to Gov. Bill Lee for his consideration. A total of nine applicants were interviewed by the council yesterday and today at the Tennessee State Library and Archives in Nashville as part of the process to fill the court vacancy created by the death of Justice Connie Clark. The Administrative Office of the Courts has more on the story.

Kingsport attorney D. Bruce Shine died on Dec. 6. He was 83. A nationally recognized labor and employment law attorney, Shine earned his law degree from Vanderbilt Law School, a Master of Laws (LLM) from the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom and in 1984 was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) from Tusculum College. In 1969 he started his own firm, Ferguson & Shine, in Kingsport with Shelburne Ferguson Jr. At the time of his retirement in January 2020, Shine was a partner in the law firm of Shine & Rowlett with Bart Rowlett. The Times News details the many political, educational and community positions Shine held, including an appointment to the Alternative Dispute Resolution Commission from 1996 until 2015, which included a two-year term as chair. The family will receive friends at Hamlett Dobson Funeral Home on Dec. 10 from 5 to 7 p.m. CST. In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorial gifts be made to Girls Inc., P.O. Box 981, Kingsport, TN 37662.

An item in Wednesday's TBA Today on the recognition Nashville attorney Doug Berry received from the German government for his 17 years of service as honorary consul of the Federal Republic of Germany failed to note that he is an attorney with Miller & Martin PLLC.  

Gerald Leighton Ewell Sr. of Manchester died Dec. 1. He was 92. Ewell, a graduate of Vanderbilt Law School, served in the U.S. Navy and was an assistant district attorney for 15 years. He was elected to the Coffee County Circuit Court in 1972, a position he held for 26 years, sometimes serving on the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals. Ewell was a member of many civic organizations, served on various municipal boards and commissions. He will receive services with military honors on Dec.11 at 2 p.m. CST at Manchester Cemetery with graveside service to immediately follow.

Don’t miss the TBA CLE’s Small Business Reorganization Act (SBRA): A Crash Course webinar on Dec. 14 from noon to 1 p.m. CST. The program will offer an introduction to the Small Business Reorganization Act (SBRA), a summary of the procedure to be followed in the initial stage of a Sub V case and a guide to forms that will be required to commence the case and get through the critical early days of the case. The program is part of the TBA’s annual Year End CLE Event, which offers a variety of live virtual or on-demand programs, CLE packages and much more to help meet your last minute CLE needs.  

The Tennessee Bar Association last week was named a regional winner in the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For competition. Run by the National Association for Business Resources (NABR), the competition identifies and honors organizations that display a commitment to excellence in their human resource practices and employee enrichment. Organizations are assessed on categories such as communication, work-life balance, employee education, diversity, recognition, retention and more. The TBA will be honored during the virtual Illuminate Business Summit week in the spring of 2022.

The Tennessee Supreme Court yesterday issued a correction to a November order regarding the Alternative Dispute Resolution Commission. The original order, which named three new members and a new chair, makes reference to a Tennessee Supreme Court rule and section that has since been revised. The new order reflects the appropriate rule and section.

Three new members were today appointed to serve on the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility. Barbara Medley with Medley & Spivey in Lewisburg, Sevier County District Attorney General Jimmy Dunn and state Sen. Richard Briggs of Nashville will serve a term that begins Jan. 1, 2022, and ends Dec. 31, 2024. Floyd Flippin was appointed to chair the board and Jennifer S. Hagerman will serve as vice-chair. The terms of Joe M. Looney, Jimmie C. Miller and Sen. Jon Lundberg expire on Dec. 31 and none are eligible for reappointment.

The Tennessee Supreme Court today announced it has reappointed state Rep. Michael Curcio to the Tennessee Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection for a three-year term. The court also appointed attorneys Junaid Odubeko and Christen Blackburn to the group, both for three-year terms ending Dec. 31, 2024. Stacy Roettger was appointed to serve as chair and Terri Crider will serve as vice-chair of the commission. Julie Bowling and Erin Palmer Polly will step down from the commission in January.