The Memphis & Shelby County Justice & Safety Alliance is inviting the public to come together to process what the community has been going through, lift up the importance of relationships and solidarity during times of grief, support each other, and work for true systemic change. The “We Heal Together” event will take place tomorrow from 6-8 p.m. CST at Abyssinian Missionary Baptist Church, 3890 Millbranch Rd., Memphis 38116. Food & childcare will be provided. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. for dinner. Those who attend are asked to bring an object to use in the healing circle. RSVP here

A federal judge in Nashville has set a hearing for March 10 to consider competing claims in a lawsuit brought by former Tennessee vaccine chief Michelle Fiscus, who was fired from state government during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Tennessee Lookout, Fiscus is seeking a so-called “name clearing” hearing, which would require her former Department of Health bosses to attend and review the circumstances behind her firing. Lawyers for the department are asking the judge to bring the lawsuit to a close without holding the hearing. Fiscus was fired from her job in July 2021 after she circulated a memo outlining when healthcare providers are allowed to give vaccines to adolescents without parental permission. Following criticism by legislators, department officials released information criticizing Fiscus’ performance.

The Tennessee Supreme Court issued an order today adopting what it called a “housekeeping” amendment to Rule 11, Section III regarding cases under advisement. The new language, which takes effect immediately, reads as follows: "No case may be held under advisement in excess of sixty days and no motion, or other decision of the trial judge that delays the date of trial or final disposition in the trial court, shall be held under advisement for more than thirty days, absent the most compelling of reasons. A motion to render decision setting out the facts said to constitute a failure to comply with this rule may be filed with the presiding judge and the circuit justice, or either of them, by any attorney of record in a case, setting out the facts said to constitute a failure to comply with this rule."

Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law (LMU Law) recently promoted assistant professor Anna Rickels to director of bar success. Rickels will continue to teach but also will coordinate the school’s supplemental bar success programming. She will teach the required bar courses, oversee transition to the “NextGen Bar Exam” and provide tailored advising and mentoring to students and graduates. Rickels joined the LMU Law faculty in 2020 after graduating in 2014 from the University of Tennessee College of Law and working as an elder law and criminal defense attorney. Immediately before joining the school, she was a fellow with UT Law’s ExpungeTN Project helping those with criminal records.

Memphis lawyer William David "Bill" Levy died Jan. 29 at the age of 88. He earned a degree in journalism from the University of Alabama and spent 10 years serving in the U.S. Army and as state editor of the Columbus Enquirer in Georgia. He resumed his education at that point, earning a law degree from the University of Memphis. He stayed in Memphis and worked as a trial specialist for the National Labor Relations Board. He later went into private practice with the firms of Young & Perl and Baker Donelson. A private burial will take place tomorrow followed by a memorial service at 1 p.m. CST in the chapel at Temple Israel, 1376 E. Massey Rd., Memphis 38120.

The Knoxville Bar Association and its Bankruptcy Section, in partnership with Legal Aid of East Tennessee and U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Suzanne H. Bauknight, will hold a Pro Bono Debt Relief Clinic on Feb. 11 beginning at 8:45 a.m. EST. The event will take place at the Knox County Public Defender's Community Law Office, 1101 Liberty St., Knoxville 37919. Judge Bauknight will present a short overview of the bankruptcy system and other solutions for clients before volunteer lawyers meet with them to discuss their options. Sign up to volunteer online.

Those interested in running for an elected office in the Tennessee Bar Association or as a delegate in the American Bar Association have until Feb. 15 to qualify for the 2023 ballot. To qualify, candidates must file a nominating petition with the TBA executive director by email or by mail to 3310 West End Ave., Ste. 590, Nashville, TN 37203. Because of limitations brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, scanned signatures can be collected and submitted electronically. Those interested in a seat on the TBA House of Delegates must file a declaration of candidacy that includes their name, principal place of law practice, district of interest and contact information. This information should be submitted to the TBA executive director via email. The TBA’s website has more information on the election process and a list of available positions.

All courts housed in the D'Army Bailey Courthouse at 140 Adams Ave. in Memphis will be closed tomorrow due to inclement weather. This includes circuit, chancery, probate and general sessions civil courts. 

Democratic members of the Tennessee General Assembly today introduced the Fundamental Right to Reproductive Health Care Act – a bill that would repeal the state’s total abortion ban, WPLN reports. Sen. London Lamar, D-Memphis, is sponsoring the legislation that she says puts the choice of abortion back into the hands of Tennessee women.  The measure would would create a fundamental right to reproductive healthcare including abortion, removing any need for exceptions. The bill would also delete any criminal penalties that a physician would face under the current law. House Speaker Cameron Sexton previously told WPLN News it was unlikely he could support a Democratic bill without strict limits on when an abortion could be performed.

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s (TDEC) Office of General Counsel is now accepting applications for a team lead/senior associate counsel in Nashville. This role will advise clients relative to state parks and natural areas (including hospitality operations and law enforcement), procurement of goods and services, administration of grant programs and land transactions that support TDEC’s mission. The team also advises boards administratively attached to TDEC, such as the Tennessee Historical Commission and the Ocoee River Recreation and Economic Development Fund Board. Learn more about the position and find application instructions on the TBA’s JobLink site.