The Girl Scouts of Southern Appalachians will honor retired Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Sharon G. Lee at a luncheon on Oct. 3. According to Knox TN Today, Lee, a former Girl Scout herself, is being recognized for her achievements in law and her role as a role model. “Justice Lee is a great example of a Girl Scout who grew into a distinguished leader in her field and paved the way for future generations, which is the very essence of what Girl Scouting represents,” said CEO Lynne Fugate. The luncheon will be held at The Foundry in Knoxville and is open to the public. Tickets are available at TrefoilSociety.org. Last week, the group honored Johnson City Juvenile Court Judge Judge Sharon Green. WJHL has a report from that event.

A new program is being launched nationwide to provide incarcerated individuals with the opportunity to earn high school diplomas through virtual classes on tablets. The initiative, a partnership between ViaPath, Promising People and American High School, aims to increase educational access and reduce recidivism rates. According to News Channel 5 Nashville, advocates say the program is promising, as many inmates are reported to lack basic literacy skills. The devices' functions are limited by design for security purposes. Tony Lowden, chief social impact officer for ViaPath, said the company's tablets will not carry note taking apps due to security risks like inmates communicating covertly.

During a closed-door meeting of the U.S. Judicial Conference on Tuesday, Sen. Dick Durbin, Democrat of Illinois and chair of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, urged U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts to implement an enforceable ethics code for the court. Durbin argued that the court's recently adopted code — its first formal set of ethical guidelines for the nine justices — lacks necessary enforcement mechanisms, according to Reuters. Adopted in November 2023 after reports that justices received undisclosed gifts and luxury trips, the new code allows members of the court to self-regulate their recusal decisions, unlike the binding standards for lower-court judges. Durbin emphasized that while the new code represents a step forward, it must be made enforceable. President Joe Biden also has called on Congress to establish a binding code for justices. Others argue, however, that the U.S. Constitution does not give Congress the authority to regulate the court.

On Sept. 13, the Tennessee Supreme Court denied a petition to dissolve a suspension against Knox County Mark Steven Graham. The court had suspended Graham’s license on May 20 for “substantial noncompliance with a Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program.” Graham filed a petition on May 4 to dissolve the suspension, which the court dismissed. Graham then filed a request for reconsideration alleging additional facts. That petition was referred to the Board of Professional Responsibility, which held a hearing, with members of the panel recommending that Graham remain suspended.

If you missed the TBA's Legislative Update CLE this summer, the program will be rebroadcast on Oct. 3 from noon to 1:30 p.m. CDT.  Tune in to hear members of TBA's Government Affairs team discuss legislation affecting Tennessee lawyers and share insights into the most recent session of the Tennessee General Assembly. As part of its grassroots advocacy effort, TBA also is seeking to build a network of engaged lawyers across the state to advocate for issues relevant to the practice of law in Tennessee. Learn more and get involved in that effort. To register for the CLE visit the TBA's online course catalog.

The easiest way to have access to client and matter data anywhere is with cloud-based practice management. An internet-connected device is all you need. Use this chart to determine which vendors have the features you desire. Find this and more in the Practice Management section of TBA’s Law Firm in a Box.

As a teacher in Tennessee State University's health and physical education department, Inez Crutchfield was uniquely placed to take on a behind-the-scenes support role of the Civil Rights Movement. She was a fixture in Nashville's 1960s sit ins, driving students to organizing meetings, bringing them food in jail when they were arrested and reassuring their worried parents. Crutchfield became the first Black president of the Davidson County Democratic Party Women's Club and went on to be the first Black woman to serve as Tennessee's representative on the Democratic National Committee, though never running for political office herself. A funeral service for Crutchfield will be held Sept. 23 at First Baptist Church Capitol Hill. Time to be determined. The Tennessean has this remembrance.

Vanderbilt Law School announced that Kelly Bahiraei has been named assistant dean for legal studies, reporting to Vice Dean Lisa Bressman. In this position, Bahiraei will be responsible for developing and managing several non-law degree academic programs within the law school, including the undergraduate minor in legal studies, the master of legal studies and the master of laws. Bahiraei previously served as associate director of Admissions, Recruitment and International Student Services at Vanderbilt Law from 2014-2019. Prior to her return to the law school, she worked at K&L Gates as legal recruiting manager, and at Bass, Berry & Sims, leading a team responsible for student programming and recruitment.

The former deputy commissioner and chief financial officer for the Tennessee Department of Corrections (TDOC), Wesley Olan Landers, has been charged with conspiracy to obstruct justice and to commit perjury in connection with a $123 million contract to provide behavioral health services. According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Tennessee, Landers used his personal email account to provide confidential TDOC information related to the bidding process for a new behavioral health service provider for TDOC inmates. After a new contract was awarded to a new provider, Landers was hired as vice president of operations, reporting to Jeffrey Scott Wells, to whom he had passed the confidential TDOC information and who also was charged in the case. If convicted, both defendants face up to five years in federal prison.

Baker Donelson shareholder Lang Wiseman recently was named to the Tennessee Artificial Intelligence (AI) Advisory Council and will chair the council's policy subcommittee. The Nashville Post spoke with Wiseman about his appointment and to get his thoughts on AI in the legal community and beyond. He addresses the importance of protecting client data, the purposes and goals of the council and shares how the council can help identify opportunities to make Tennessee a leader in the AI movement.