The Tennessee Justice Center will kick off a new year with a celebration on Sept. 4 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The group recently announced that 20 law firms have committed to help it serve more families across the state. The celebration will recognize these firms for “Raising the Bar.” All friends of TJC are invited. The event will be held in the offices of Bass, Berry & Sims, located on the 28th Floor of the Pinnacle at Symphony Place, 150 Third Ave. S., Nashville. Learn more or RSVP online.

Tennessee lawyers who want to attend this year’s Equal Justice University (EJU), set for Sept. 10-12 in Murfreesboro, have until the end of the day Wednesday to register. A schedule for the event, which is cosponsored by the TBA, is available online as is the registration form. The program will offer 40 hours of CLE and keynote addresses by civil rights leader Diane Nash, Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Janice Holder and TBA President Jonathan Steen, who will speak on medical-legal partnerships, one focus of his presidency this year.

Judges who are retiring as well as those who are taking office will be honored at receptions across the state next week. On Monday, a reception will be held for retiring Davidson County Circuit Court Judge Carol Soloman beginning at 3 p.m. in the Historic Nashville Courthouse Jury Assembly Room. On Aug. 26, friends and colleagues will celebrate the career of Knox County Circuit Court Judge Bill Swann, who is retiring. That event will take place 4:30 to 7 p.m. at Club LeConte. Finally, on Aug. 29, incumbent and newly elected judges in Knox County will be sworn in during a ceremony at 2 p.m. at the Supreme Court Building in Knoxville.

Knoxville lawyers are encouraged to participate in the first Seersucker Day on Thursday (Aug. 21) to benefit ChildHelp of East Tennessee. Lawyers are asked to make a $10 donation to the group, which works to protect local children from abuse and place local foster children in loving homes. A group photo of all those participating will be taken on Market Square at noon that day. For more in information or for promotion material contact Kyle Baisley at Pilot Corp.

Gov. Bill Haslam on Wednesday will give the oath of office to Judge Robert H. Montgomery Jr., who was appointed to the Court of Criminal Appeals Eastern Section last August. Montgomery, currently the Criminal Court Judge in Sullivan County, will replace Judge Joseph M. Tipton, who is retiring. The Investiture Ceremony will be held at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Kingsport Renaissance Center Theater, 1200 East Center Street in Kingsport. A reception will follow. Call (423) 279-2732 for more information.

The University of Tennessee College of Law will host a Law School Admission Workshop and Recruitment Fair on Sept. 3 for potential applicants. The workshop is free and no pre-registration is necessary. “Anyone considering law as a career who wants to know more about the law school admissions process should attend,” said Karen R. Britton, director of admissions and financial aid at the Bettye B. Lewis Career Center in the College of Law.

The Knoxville Bar Association will host its annual Supreme Court dinner Sept. 3 at the Holiday Inn World’s Fair Park to pay tribute to the justices of the Tennessee Supreme Court. The event will begin with a 6 p.m. reception, during which the KBA will recognize the district attorney and the five judges who are retiring this year. Dinner will follow at 7 p.m. Historian and story teller Jack Neely will be the featured speaker. Tickets are $50 each and tables of eight may be reserved in advance.

Legal Aid of East Tennessee will host a fundraiser at Knoxville’s Chilhowee Park on Aug. 16-17. The 4th Annual Solo in the Park Autocross competition is sanctioned by the Sports Car Club of America and features sports car enthusiasts driving a timed precision course. More than 100 competitors are expected during the two-day event. All proceeds benefit Knoxville Family Justice Center and Legal Aid of East Tennessee. Driver registration is $35. Spectator admission is $5 per person or $10 per family. For a $10 donation, spectators may ride the course at competition speed with a participating driver. For more information visit the event website or call (865) 637-0484.

Tennessee Supreme Court records make up by far the largest single collection within the vast amount of information available at the Tennessee State Library and Archives (TSLA). During the next session of TSLA's free workshop series, State Librarian and Archivist Chuck Sherrill will provide tips on navigating through those files. The workshop will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Aug. 23 at the State Library and Archives, 403 Seventh Ave., North., in Nashville.  Although the workshop is free, reservations are required because of limited seating. To make a reservation, call (615) 741-2764 or e-mail workshop.tsla@tn.gov. The Crossville Chronicle has more.

The Knoxville Bar Association, Legal Aid of East Tennessee and the Tennessee Faith and Justice Alliance are teaming up to host a seminar on Sept. 16 for ministers of all faiths to learn about the resources available to help members of their congregations with legal problems. “The idea is to make them aware of how to spot legal problems that are impacting the lives of people in their congregations, and to inform [the ministers] of the various legal and social resources in East Tennessee that are available,” said Knoxville lawyer Ian Hennessey. The seminar will be held in Trentham Hall of First Baptist Church of Knoxville, 510 W. Main St. Cost is $6, which includes a sandwich lunch buffet. Those interested in attending should contact Vanessa Moore. Download a handout about the event or read more in Knoxnews.