The Tennessee Bar Association closed at 2 p.m. CDT today and remain closed through Monday in observance of Labor Day. The TBA's office will reopen on Tuesday at 8 a.m. CDT. Visit the TBA.org website for information on CLE or other TBA programs and for staff contact information.

The University of Tennessee College of Law has received a $2 million gift in the name of the Chattanooga-based law firm of Summers, Rufolo & Rodgers PC, a longtime supporter of the law school. The gift will support UT Law’s Center for Advocacy and Dispute Resolution, Legal Clinic, the Douglas Blaze Professorship, and scholarships for students interested in pursuing legal careers in advocacy. Dean Lonnie Brown said, “Because of the firm’s generosity, we have been able to build and sustain a first-rate advocacy program that consistently produces graduates who are distinctly prepared to hit the ground running once they begin practice. We are profoundly grateful for the firm’s continued commitment and support.”

It’s time for another round of #TeamTBA! Meet the people behind the scenes and learn more about the moving parts, projects and staffers of the Tennessee Bar Association. Digital Media and Leadership Development Coordinator Paul Burch handles the TBA’s social media, shares writing duties for the TBA Today newsletter, coordinates the Leadership Law (TBALL) program and produces the Bar Buzz podcast. He’s also a talented singer/songwriter who recently played the Kennedy Center! Paul says the most unique part of his job is writing the TBA Today newsletter. “The attention, care and (sometimes) organized deadline drama that goes into creating every issue is not far off from newsroom dramas I grew up watching in film and TV, especially when state and federal courts are preparing decisions that are typically released at 5 p.m.” Stay tuned through September as we introduce you to new staff members!

The September/October issue of the Tennessee Bar Journal is now available online and arriving in mailboxes next week! In this issue, get to know Sheree Wright, the TBA’s new executive director, learn about her background and experiences and why she knew that TBA was the next right move for her career. Also, Christy Tosh Crider helps readers attain balance and John Floyd breaks down the requirements for issuing a subpoena out of state under the Uniform Interstate Depositions and Discovery Act as well as practical suggestions. Columns in this issue include Eddy Smith’s “Where There’s a Will,” focusing on developments to select trusts and estates, and Marlene Eskind Moses’ “Family Matters,” taking a look at alcohol prohibition during parenting time in shared custody situations. Also enjoy two book reviews, some updates from the TBA and much more!

The Trial Court Vacancy Commission meeting today in Franklin selected three nominees to forward to Gov. Bill Lee for his consideration in filling a vacancy in the 21st Judicial District. They are: Nolensville lawyer Russell D. Gill, Brentwood lawyer Erin W. Nations and Franklin lawyer David H. Veile. The vacancy on the court, which serves Williamson County, is due to the Sept. 29 retirement of Circuit Court Judge Michael W. Binkley. Read the announcement from the Administrative Office of the Courts.

A former Memphis Police Department officer was sentenced today to 18 months in prison and one year of supervised release for violating an arrestee’s civil rights by using excessive force against him, the Department of Justice announced. According to court documents, Armando Bustamante admitted that while on duty in January 2021 he used his service weapon and hands to strike an arrestee in the head without legal justification. “The Justice Department will aggressively prosecute those law enforcement officers who abuse their authority and violate federal civil rights laws.” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. 

The Tennessee Supreme Court has unanimously elected Justice Holly Kirby as the court's new chief justice. Kirby’s two-year term will begin Sept. 1, the court announced today. She is the fourth woman to serve as the court’s chief justice. Kirby was appointed to the court in 2014 by former Gov. Bill Haslam. Prior to her appointment, Kirby was the first woman in Tennessee history to serve on the Tennessee Court of Appeals. Gov. Bill Lee will perform Kirby’s ceremonial investiture at 9 a.m. CDT on Oct. 4 in the Old Supreme Court Chamber on the first floor of the Tennessee State Capitol. A reception will be scheduled in Memphis for the fall.

The Tennessee Supreme Court today rejected a Memphis nursing home’s argument that the trial court could not consider whether a resident with Down syndrome was competent to authorize his brother to act as his agent. The court held the trial court correctly considered evidence that David Welch, a resident with Down syndrome, did not have the mental capacity to understand the document he marked in lieu of a signature that gave his brother, James, power of attorney. Go here to read the court’s opinion.

Tennessee access to justice leaders today announced creation of the Justice Frank F. Drowota Trust to provide supplemental funding for organizations providing legal services to low-income individuals. The announcement was made today during a luncheon at Equal Justice University in Murfreesboro. Leaders involved in the trust include TALS immediate Past Director Ann Pruitt, former TBA President Buck Lewis, Supreme Court Justice Sharon Lee and Justice Drowota’s wife, Claire Drowota, who will serve as trustees. Former University of Tennessee College of Law Dean Doug Blaze, TBA President Jim Barry and Pruitt will serve as trust advisors and trustee successors. In response to the announcement, Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Page said, “Everyone in Tennessee’s judiciary and beyond thought Frank was the finest judge and finest person we had ever known. The Court is pleased that his memory is being honored in this way.” For more information and to support the Drowota Trust, contact Buck Lewis. See additional photos from the event.

The Memphis-based Community Legal Center has named Melissa Janoske McLean as its new associate executive director. Janoske McLean previously spent 18 years as a professor of public relations, public speaking and social media, including seven years with the University of Memphis. She earned a Ph.D. in public relations and crisis communication from the University of Maryland, and undergraduate and master’s degrees in organizational communication from Radford University.  The Community Legal Center is a nonprofit law firm that provides legal services for low-income and otherwise vulnerable Memphians.