Judge Bernice Donald of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit will serve as the featured speaker for the University of Tennessee College of Law’s May 2022 commencement ceremonies, the school recently announced. The ceremony will take place May 21 at 12:30 p.m. EDT in Thompson Boling Arena. Donald was confirmed to the court in 2011 and has announced her intention to take senior status once a successor is confirmed. She previously served on the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee and the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the district. She was the first Black female judge to serve on each of those courts.

A public investiture for Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Sarah K. Campbell will take place June 3 at 3 p.m. CDT. A reception will follow. Tennessee attorneys are invited to attend and RSVP online. The event will be held at Belmont University Fisher Center for the Performing Arts, 2020 Belmont Blvd., Nashville 37212. Complimentary parking is available at the South Garage at 1521 Compton Ave. Justice Campbell was confirmed to the court by the General Assembly on Feb. 10 and took the oath shortly thereafter. She was nominated by Gov. Bill Lee on Jan. 12 after being recommended by the Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments.

Join your colleagues for the 2022 TBA Annual Convention in Nashville, June 15-18, offering a total of nine hours (4.5 general and 4.5 dual) of continuing legal education. This year's in-person CLE lineup will bring together an esteemed group of panelists and speakers to cover a variety of timely, essential legal topics such as how judges and lawyers can serve as leaders in Tennessee, attorney well-being for lawyers in today's evolving legal field, a legislative update recapping the most recent news from the legislative session and a diversity panel with seasoned attorneys sharing different perspectives and experiences. Learn more about CLE and other programming, book a room and register. 

The Nashville Arts & Business Council is seeking lawyers to volunteer for its online legal clinic “Ask The Experts.” The pro bono clinic offers free 30-minute sessions for artists, musicians and other creatives to get their legal and business questions answered. Volunteers are asked to sign up for two-hour shifts. The next clinic will take place May 11 from 6 to 8 p.m. CDT. First time volunteers should register here while returning volunteers can sign up here.

JustCity and the Justice & Safety Alliance are co-hosting a Shelby County DA Candidate Forum on Thursday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. CDT. The event will take place at the Christ Missionary Baptist Church, 480 S. Parkway East, Memphis 38106. Organizers say they are hosting the forum to give the community one last opportunity to hear from district attorney candidates before election day on May 3. Each declared candidate from both political parties has been invited to the event. Those who would like to attend are asked to register in advance.

The Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands will hold a clinic on Wednesday specifically for veterans. The clinic will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. CDT at Operation Stand Down, 1125 12th Ave. S. Nashville 37203. Masks are required. To volunteer contact Kendra Cheek, 615-780-7131.

The YWCA’s Stand Against Racism series will host its next virtual installment next Tuesday at noon CDT. This month's theme is Becoming a Better Ally. Hear from several panelists as they talk about how they are working for social change in their communities. View a flyer of the event or register for the webinar.

Legal Aid of East Tennessee, in partnership with the TBA Young Lawyers Division, Chattanooga Bar Association Young Lawyers Division and Tennessee Supreme Court Access to Justice Initiative, is hosting a family law clinic tomorrow from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at the Chattanooga Hamilton County Family Justice Center. Volunteers are needed to give advice on a variety of family law issues, as well as assist with coordination and intake. Those interested in volunteering should contact Mary Frances DeVoe at mdevoe@laet.org.

The next Veterans’ Legal Advice Clinic — a joint project of Knoxville area legal organizations — will take place Wednesday from noon to 2 p.m. EDT at the Knoxville Community Law Office, 1101 Liberty St. This general advice and referral clinic is supported by the Knoxville Bar Association Barristers and Young Lawyers Division, Legal Aid of East Tennessee, Knox County Public Defender’s Community Law Office, University of Tennessee  College of Law, Lincoln Memorial University-Duncan School of Law, and the local Veterans Affairs office. Sign up here to volunteer.

This Saturday’s legal clinic hosted by the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands will no longer be held in-person and will now be held virtually by phone. The clinic is set for 8:30 until 10:30 a.m. CDT. If you have questions, please email the clinic coordinator at kcheek@las.org. See a list of all April clinics.