The Trial Court Vacancy Commission is now accepting applications for a chancellor in the 7th Judicial District, which covers Anderson County. The vacancy was created by the resignation of the Judge M. Nichole Cantrell, effective Jan. 31. Applicants must be at least 30 years of age, have resided in the state for five years and be residents of the 7th Judicial District. Those interested should submit the Trial Court Vacancy Commission application to the Administrative Office of the Courts by noon CST on Feb. 6. The commission will interview applicants during a public hearing on Feb. 24 at 9 a.m. EST at the Anderson County Courthouse, 100 N. Main St., Clinton. Read more from the Administrative Office of the Courts.  

The U.S. Sentencing Commission is seeking public comment on a proposed amendment to federal sentencing guidelines that would eliminate the imposition of longer sentences for conduct that was acquitted at trial. Though the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the practice, some lawmakers, defense lawyers and judges have criticized it as unfair and a potential violation of defendants' civil rights, Reuters reports. Comments are due by March 14. The proposal is part of the commission's 2022-2023 rules package. Read more about other proposed changes.

The Tennessee Court of Appeals issued two orders on Tuesday dealing with the time available for oral arguments. The first, ADM2023-00038, provides that oral argument before the court shall be limited to 15 minutes per side unless otherwise ordered by the court. The second, ADM2023-00053, adds a new Rule 16 to the Rules of the Court of Appeals providing for 15 minutes per side for oral argument unless otherwise ordered by the court. The court indicated that the amendment took effect immediately.

New data from the National Association for Law Placement (NALP) indicates that the percentage of law students of color serving as summer associates at U.S. law firms grew two percentage points last year — bringing the total to 43% of all summer associates. That number exceeds the percentage of lawyers of color serving as law firm associates (28%) and partners (11%). In commenting on the findings, NALP Executive Director Nikia Gray said, “We are nowhere near achieving the progress one would expect.” Reuters has more on the report.

The Tennessee Court of Workers' Compensation Claims will be closed Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Settlement approvals will proceed on Jan. 25 but only in Nashville. The court also announced today that no settlement approvals will take place in any of its offices on Jan. 26 or 27 due to an upcoming judicial conference meeting. The court also recently reminded practioners of the process for filing approvals by affidavit in Nashville.

The TBA will be closed Monday in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The office will reopen Tuesday at 8 a.m. CST.

Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett is encouraging victims of human trafficking, stalking, domestic abuse or any sexual offense to protect their addresses from public disclosure under a free state program. The Safe at Home address confidentiality program provides approved applicants a substitute address that can be used for voter registration, government services such as a driver’s license, access to assistance programs and other legal needs. The program currently serves more than 580 victims in 43 counties. The Associated Press has more on the story.

The Sixth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in Cincinnati today affirmed a lower court’s ban on a vaccine mandate for workers who contract with the federal government, the Associated Press reports. A federal judge in Louisville in November 2021 found the Biden Administration rule unconstitutional and blocked the mandate in Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee. The mandate would have required workers contracting with the federal government to wear face masks and be vaccinated for COVID-19.

The TBA Book Club held a successful meeting yesterday to discuss the book “Small Great Things” by Jodi Picoult. Poet and African American literature and cultural history expert Darius Stewart joined the meeting as a special guest providing context and insight into the book. Voting is now underway to help select the third book in the TBA's quarterly book club. Continuing with the theme of race relations and divides, voters will choose between “Black Cake” by Charmaine Wilkerson, “Homegoing” by Yaa Gyasi or “Memphis” by Tara M. Stringfellow. Cast your vote here.

Maynard Cooper & Gale, a Birmingham-based firm with a Nashville office, is merging with Nexsen Pruet of Columbia, South Carolina, the firms recently reported. The new firm will operate under the name Maynard Nexsen starting April 1. The combined firm will number more than 500 attorneys in 23 offices. Maynard managing shareholder Jeff Grantham will be CEO and managing shareholder of the combined firm, while Nexsen chair Leighton Lord will be the combined firm’s president and chief strategy officer. Maynard lists 17 attorneys in its Nashville office.