The Ben F. Jones Chapter of the National Bar Association is partnering with the Law Offices of the Shelby County Public Defender to help restore the rights of would-be voters in advance of the Oct. 5 registration deadline for the November presidential election. More than 40 Memphians have already signed up for assistance and volunteer attorneys are needed to represent those who have had their voting rights revoked due to a conviction. Volunteers should be local to the Memphis area and will need to file and present a motion to allow the movant to pursue voter restoration without being required to pay all court costs in full beforehand. An attorney volunteer training will be held Sept. 21 at 5:30 p.m. Sign up for the training here and email any questions or concerns to Amber Floyd.

The Memphis Bar Association and the Ben F. Jones Chapter of the National Bar Association are inviting lawyers to join a 21-day “Equity Habit Building Challenge” to better understand the intersection of race, power, privilege, supremacy and oppression. Beginning on Oct. 1, participants will complete a short assignment every day for 21 days. Activities include reading articles, watching videos and listening to podcasts. Sign up to participate and access the assignments here. Learn more about the national challenge movement from the ABA.

Constitution Day is an American federal observance that commemorates the formation and signing of the U.S. Constitution. It is celebrated each year on Sept. 17. The TBA has a range of resources available for those who want to mark the day. The ABA also has resources and several key issues to highlight on this year’s anniversary, including the importance of voting, the Census and civic engagement. The ABA also is offering a free webinar tomorrow at 4 p.m. EDT on the scope of free speech rights. The session will address two issues: when demonstrations are within the scope of the First Amendment and when they exceed constitutional protection, and when law enforcement officials are lawfully trying to restore order and when they are abusing the rights of protestors.

The Nashville Conflict Resolution Center will host “Legacy of Trauma: The Impact of Historical Trauma on African Americans” on Thursday and Friday from 9 until 11 a.m. CDT. The event is a two-day learning session that will provide a compelling overview of social history, trauma theory and the interventions that can build resilience and healing for all members of our society in conflict. Register for the program here.

The Memphis Lawyers’ Chapter of the Federalist Society will mark this year’s Constitution Day with a Zoom presentation by Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law professor John O. McGinnis on Thursday at 11:50 a.m. CDT. McGinnis will talk about the U.S. Constitution as a legal document. Those interested in attending should register online or contact Memphis lawyer Greg Grisham.

Vanderbilt University is partnering with Fisk University, the Frist Art Museum and Millions of Conversations (founded by Bass, Barry & Sims lawyer Ali Samar) to host “Engine for Art, Democracy and Justice,” a series of virtual conversations and artistic collaborations focused on healing at a time of significant social unrest. The first installment, “Redefining Monuments,” will be offered on Sept. 23 and 30, followed by “Paths of Emerging Solidarities” on Oct. 7 and 14, “Performativity and the Social Body” on Oct. 21 and Nov. 4, and “Love Transmutation” on Nov. 11 and 18. Sessions will begin at 10 a.m. CDT and are free and open to the public, but advance registration is required. The program also will bring Carrie Mae Weems’ RESIST COVID TAKE 6! public art campaign to Nashville this month. View all details online or contact project manager Raquelle Bostow or fellow Phillip Townsend with questions.

Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands will conduct three phone clinics this week for those with questions about housing/renters’ rights, bankruptcy, medical bills, debt collection, domestic violence, SNAP benefits and unemployment. Clinics will take place tomorrow from 3 to 4:30 p.m., Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Saturday from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. CDT. LAS is looking for attorneys to help answer legal questions during these clinics. To volunteer, contact Andrae Crismon or Kendra Cheek or call 615-780-7131. See the list of clinics for all of September.

Attorneys are invited to attend a retirement reception for Davidson County General Sessions Court Administrator Warner C. Hassell this coming Monday at 1 p.m. CDT. The reception will take place in the Jury Assembly Room on the first floor of the Justice A. A. Birch Building, 408 2nd Ave. N., Nashville, TN 37201. View the event invitation.

Knoxville area legal organizations will hold a veterans’ legal advice clinic next Wednesday from noon to 2 p.m. EDT. Those seeking advice should preregister by calling 865-637-0484. Lawyers who would like to volunteer can sign up online. The Knoxville Veterans Clinic is a joint project of the Knoxville Bar Association and its Barristers, Young Lawyers Division and Access to Justice Committee; Legal Aid of East Tennessee; Knox County Public Defender’s Community Law Office; the University of Tennessee College of Law; Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law; and the local Veterans Affairs office. Legal advice is provided on issues such as family law, landlord/tenant, bankruptcy, criminal defense, consumer protection, contract disputes, child support and personal injury.

The Knox County Juvenile Court is inviting the legal community to attend a retirement celebration for Magistrate Dirk Weddington, who is stepping down after a 30-year career. The event will be held at the court on Sept. 30 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. EDT. The court is also collecting notes and cards to present to Magistrate Weddington. Those who would like to send a note should do so by Sept. 25 to the attention of Debbie Wade, Knox County Juvenile Court, Carey E. Garrett Juvenile Court Building, 3323 Division St., Knoxville, TN 37919.