Jim Sasser, former Tennessee U.S. senator and U.S. ambassador to China, died Tuesday at age 87. He was a graduate of Vanderbilt Law School, practicing in the Nashville firm of Goodpasture, Carpenter, Woods and Sasser after graduation in 1961 until 1972. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve for six years. Sasser, who served three terms in the Senate from 1977 to 1995, was known for his pivotal role in passing President Bill Clinton’s first budget and reauthorizing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, according to The Tennessean. Sasser also played a significant role in U.S. and China relations during his ambassadorship, notably managing diplomatic tensions after the accidental bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade. Former Vice President and U.S. Sen. Al Gore described Sasser as "a man of outstanding character and conviction, a great United States Senator and later an outstanding diplomat in the truest sense of the word," Gore said in a statement. "Throughout his career in public service, Jim represented the best of Tennessee and the best of America. He was an effective leader not simply because he spoke clearly and persuasively about the initiatives he believed in, but also because he listened intently to the concerns, hopes and aspirations of his constituents and colleagues."

Charges filed against Bob Harshbarger Sr. — the father of Tennessee State Sen. Jon Lundberg's political opponent, Bobby Harshbarger, and the husband of Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger —have been dismissed. Lundberg filed a criminal warrant accusing Harshbarger Sr. of stealing and vandalizing election campaign signs. Lundberg claimed the act was caught on camera by volunteers. According to the Bristol Herald Courier, District Attorney General Pro Tem D. Michael Dunavant filed a motion to dismiss the charges with prejudice, writing in the motion, “After diligent investigation and review, the state finds that the available admissible evidence in this matter is insufficient to substantiate the statutory elements or support a conviction.”

Celebrate Pro Bono Month is coming in October with events scheduled across the state. The Memphis Bar Association (MBA) will hold its annual pro bono event on Oct. 24 from 4:30 p.m to 7 p.m. CDT at Butler Snow, 6075 Poplar Ave., St. 500, Memphis 38119. The event will feature a presentation of the 2024 Access to Justice Awards. Get more information and register here.

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti addressed nearly 100 attendees at a conference in Kingsport on Aug. 12, co-hosted by local chambers of commerce. According to The Business Journal, the conversations focused on government overreach and its impact on small businesses, particularly in environmental regulation. The news outlet reports that Skrmetti is concerned about the potential overreach of regulations without statutory backing, and emphasized the importance of businesses providing feedback on impending regulations to help address state interests. He focused on economic freedom and cautious regulatory oversight, stating, “Our system of government was designed to make sure power wasn’t concentrated in any one place.”

A new University of Memphis study examining Shelby County's recent bail reform found a slight increase in both pre-trial releases and rearrests. The study, which acknowledges limitations due to data scope, showed a decrease in median bail amounts following the implementation of a standing bail order in February 2023, according to the Commercial Appeal. However, the use of non-monetary release options varied significantly between judicial commissioners, and median bail amounts for some major crimes actually rose. The study also found that bail hearings often resulted in lower bail amounts compared to initial settings. Researchers are planning further studies to explore the long-term impact of the bail reform.

The annual Hot Topics in Real Estate seminar presented in partnership with the Tennessee Land Title Association will be held virtually on Nov. 8 from 9 a.m to 4 p.m. CDT. More information about specific topics and speakers will be announced soon.

The Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law will hold a historic celebration for its 15th anniversary on Sept. 21 at 7 p.m. EDT. The event will take place at The Mill & Mine, 227 W. Depot Ave., Knoxville 37917. Get more information and register here.

Minority attorneys stay in their first jobs out of law school about half as long as their white peers, though the gap may be narrowing, according to a new Bloomberg Law survey. The race-based imbalance among all attorneys surveyed was almost four years — 3.98 years for minority lawyers versus 7.8 years for white attorneys. But the gulf was only about a month or two on average among lawyers who have practiced for 15 years or less — a sign that investments by law firms and legal departments may be helping close the gap.

Internal data from the Shelby County District Attorney's Office shows that more than 100 employees have left since Steve Mulroy's election in 2022. The Daily Memphian reports that between Aug. 31, 2022, the day Mulroy was officially sworn into office, and Dec. 30, 2022, 42 people left the office, according to a spreadsheet that was inadvertently distributed by email last month to current employees of the office. Erica Williams, spokesperson for the office, said the amount of transition is common, especially during leadership changes. Mulroy replaced Amy Weirich, who held the position since 2011. “In comparison, the previous administration experienced the transition of about 80 employees within a similar time period,” Williams said.

The TBA Health Law Section has partnered with organizations across the state to provide free advance health care directive clinics in each of Tennessee’s grand divisions. The section is seeking volunteer lawyers to assist with the effort. No previous experience is necessary and there will be experts on hand to answer questions. The first clinic will take place in Knoxville on Sept. 21 from 9 a.m. to noon EDT. A Nashville clinic will follow on Oct. 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. CDT. The Memphis clinic will take place Nov. 9, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. CDT. Please contact TBA Health Law Section Chair Ian Hennessey with questions and/or volunteer interest at ian.hennessey@amrllc.com.