Knoxville area legal organizations will hold an in-person veterans’ legal advice clinic on July 14 from noon to 2 p.m. EDT at the Knox County Public Defender’s Community Law Office, 1101 Liberty St. Those seeking advice should preregister at 865-637-0484. Lawyers who would like to volunteer can sign up online. Legal advice is provided on issues such as family law, landlord/tenant, bankruptcy, criminal defense, consumer protection, contract disputes, child support and personal injury. To learn more download a flyer or sign up for an "Understanding VA Benefits" webinar on July 13 at 10 a.m. EDT.

The YMCA Virtual Nationwide Judicial Competition is searching for volunteers to help score and preside over Zoom court sessions on July 27-29. Teenagers from more than 12 states will be competing. Morning sessions will run from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. CDT and afternoon sessions are from 2 to 4 p.m. CDT. Sessions are two hours in length and volunteers will need time at the end to fill out score sheets. Volunteer evaluators are also needed in both mock and appellate divisions. Those interested can sign up to volunteer online.        

Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee & the Cumberlands will host two upcoming in-person legal advice clinics and one phone clinic for members of the public with questions about housing and renters’ rights, bankruptcy, medical bills, debt collection, domestic violence, SNAP benefits and unemployment benefits. The in-person clinics will take place Saturday from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the McHugh Clinic, 2005 12th Ave. S. in Nashville, and on Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. CDT at Operation Stand Down Nashville, 1125 12th Ave. S. The phone clinic will be held Tuesday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. CDT. To volunteer, contact Andrae Crismon or Kendra Cheek or call 615-780-7131.

TBA Immediate Past President Michelle Greenway Sellers will participate in a free webinar next week on how bar associations can play a vital role in advocating for and defending the rule of law through their work with legislatures, courts and the public. The program, offered by the National Conference of Bar Presidents, will take place Thursday from noon to 1 p.m. CDT. It is free of charge but registration is required. Other speakers include Will Gunn, general counsel for the Legal Services Corporation, Kentucky Court of Appeals Justice Michelle M. Keller and Bruce Spencer, past president of the State Bar of Montana. Kermit Lowery with LexisNexis Global Legal Department will moderate the panel discussion.

The Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville is seeking nominations and applications for Arts Board Matching, a program that trains business leaders in nonprofit board best practices and matches them with local arts organizations for board service. The program is open to all professionals in the Greater Nashville area, and ABC is especially seeking diverse business professionals. Nominations close on July 9. 

The Knoxville Bar Association is planning a Bench & Bar Celebration for Sept. 8 on the outdoor patio of the Knoxville Convention Center. The event is designed to recognize the many challenges lawyers and judges have experienced over the past year and celebrate local judges for their dedicated service to the community. Watch for more details coming soon.

The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee will hold a portrait unveiling and memorial garden dedication on Aug. 27 to honor former TBA president and late District Court Chief Judge Pamela L. Reeves. Watch for more details coming soon.

The D.C. Bar is presenting a nonpartisan, virtual program in July that is designed to give women lawyers the tools they need to run for local, state or federal office. The group’s first ever “Legislative Women's Collective: Unleashing the Political Power of Women Attorneys” is a two-day program that will focus on the various elected and appointed positions available, how to create a roadmap to reach individual political goals, and the unique ethical requirements of practicing attorneys running for office. The program is open to women lawyers across the country. The early bird and scholarship application period ends July 6. The final application deadline is July 20. The program will be held July 23 and 24 from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. EDT each day. Learn more in this recent podcast.

A retirement celebration and portrait unveiling will be held Wednesday for Anderson County Circuit and Criminal Court Judge Donald Elledge. The event will take place at noon EDT in the circuit courtroom of the Anderson County Courthouse, 100 N. Main St., Clinton 37716. All are invited to attend and lunch will be provided. Judge Elledge has served on the bench since 2005 and was instrumental in establishing the county’s Drug Court Program. He served as president of the Tennessee Judicial Conference in 2019. Prior to taking the bench, he was in private practice. Read more about his career from the Administrative Office of the Courts.

YWCA of Nashville and Middle Tennessee will host a virtual webinar next week to explore the role of music in movements for racial justice. Stand Against Racism: The Power of Music will take place on June 30 from noon until 1 p.m. CDT and will address how artists and their music resist racism in the U.S. and globally, how music has historically been a tool of resisting racism and oppression and more. This virtual event is free and available to the public.