Black law school students lag far behind their white counterparts when it comes to landing jobs after graduation, according to a new report from the National Association for Law Placement. Within 10 months of graduation, just two-thirds of Black graduates had secured jobs that required passage of the bar exam, as compared to 81% of white law grads, Reuters reports. NALP’s report also notes disparities in median pay and federal clerkships. NALP Executive Director Jim Leipold summed up the report’s findings, “We see huge gaps in bar passage by race and ethnicity. We see huge gaps in employment opportunities by race and ethnicity. We see huge gaps in progression through the associate ranks to partner by race, ethnicity and gender.”

The Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office has hired veteran defense attorney Lorna McClusky to head the office’s new conviction review unit, Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy announced yesterday. The new unit, the Post-Conviction Justice Unit, will review prior cases for possible errors and false convictions. The unit also will examine sentences that have already been handed down to assess whether or not those sentences were appropriate, taking into account changes in the law. McClusky graduated from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law in 1994. In 1998, she became a member of the Massey McClusky Law Firm, where she rose to managing partner. She has nearly three decades of experience practicing criminal law, including extensive work on capital cases. Mulroy also recently named four new working groups for the office: Disproportionate Minority Contact, Post-Conviction Justice, Restorative Justice and Juvenile Justice. Read about the individuals who will lead these efforts from patch.com.

YLD board members Libba Fyke, Halle Priester and Dominique Winfrey today returned to their alma mater, The University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphrey's School of Law, to meet with students and discuss the benefits of getting involved in the TBA and its Young Lawyers Division. Students also had the opportunity to network and increase their professional knowledge as part of the free membership package provided to Tennessee law students. In addition, during today's visit the students had a chance to learn about the TBA's Diversity Leadership Institute, a six-month leadership and mentoring program for Tennessee law students in their second, third or fourth years of study. 

Michael Reed, who lost his wife and two daughters in the 2016 Gatlinburg wildfire, on Thursday filed a malpractice suit against the attorneys who represented him in his federal case against the National Park Service, the Knoxville News Sentinel reports. Reed’s new suit alleges attorneys Sidney Gilreath and Gordon Ball were unfamiliar with and did not follow the process for filing a Federal Torts Claims Act and failed to file pertinent documents with the court. Reed’s new attorney, David Randolph Smith, argues the original lawsuit would have been successful if the paperwork had been completed correctly. Reed sued the National Park Service for failing to warn people about the incoming flames against the park's policy. In the new suit, Reed is seeking $13.5 million in damages as well as other costs.

New Nashville Judge Lynne Ingram is facing accusations from a former client that she rushed through her last trial as an attorney, the Nashville Post reports. The former client, Dr. Hau La, was convicted on 11 counts of distribution of a controlled substance during a July trial. By then, Ingram had won the May 3 Democratic primary and, since there were no Republican contenders, effectively won her seat on the Davidson County Circuit Court. Ingram removed herself from the case immediately after the trial because she was “preparing to take the bench …” La filed a motion for a new trial on Friday, alleging Ingram and co-counsel Bryna Grant should never have brought the case to trial so quickly and that the pair never interviewed key government witnesses or reviewed the government’s discovery evidence “in any meaningful way.” The motion also claims the defense team’s own expert witness told Ingram and Grant they were unprepared and should seek a continuance.

Shelby County Juvenile Court Judge Tarik Sugarmon this week announced two additions to his leadership team at the juvenile courthouse, the Commercial Appeal reports. Stephen Bush, a former public defender, will serve as the chief administrative officer. Bush is behind the Jericho Project, a pre-trial diversion program in Shelby County. Stephanie Hill will serve as deputy chief administrative officer and the chief of strategy and innovation. Hill has most recently served as the impact assessment associate for Slingshot Memphis, a local group that funds non-profits that focus on fighting poverty. Sugarmon said the new hires bring experience that will help develop a roadmap for true reform that not only ensures fairness for every child but will also hold youth accountable in ways that advance public safety.”

The Trial Court Vacancy Commission has forwarded the names of Audrey Lee Anderson, Stanley A. Kweller and Stephanie J. Williams to Gov. Bill Lee for his consideration in filling the 20th Judicial District circuit court vacancy. The seat was made vacant by the passing of Judge Philip E. Smith in September. The 20th Judicial District covers Davidson County. Read more on each candidate from the Administrative Office of the Courts.

Tennessee Bar Association Executive Director Joycelyn Stevenson has been named among this year's “Women of Influence” by the Nashville Business Journal. She sat for an interview with the publication recently and answered questions such as what she would change about Nashville, the best business or life lesson she has learned, and her advice for young professionals, among other topics. Her parting thought? Schools should be teaching more civility, professionalism and leadership development. “Social media has made it so easy to create distance and division. The basic tenets and fundamentals related to professionalism and treating people respectfully even in times of disagreement are crucial.”

Henry County General Sessions and Juvenile Court Judge Vicki Snyder tells the Administrative Office of the Courts that The Clothesline Project — which allows domestic violence survivors to creatively express their thoughts and feelings on a t-shirt — was “one of the most raw and emotional events” in her 32 years as a judge. Snyder was invited to view the project in another location but was so moved, she decided to bring the project to Henry County. Hoping for 30 participants, the project ultimately saw 90 survivors create a shirt.

The Nashville mayor’s Community Safety Partnership Fund Board has recommended that two local groups — Gideon’s Army and the Raphah Institute — split $1.5 million in funding for violence interruption efforts. If approved, the arrangement would push the two organizations to work together, despite having very different approaches, WPLN reports. Gideon’s Army relies on people on the street who work to stop violence, while the Raphah Institute runs a diversion program with the juvenile court. If approved by the Metro Council, $375,000 would be distributed to each organization each year for two years.