Rural hospital management company Java Medical Group has named former circuit court judge Craig Johnson as chief legal officer to oversee risk compliance, contract management, liability and risk for the Nashville-based company, the Nashville Post reports. Johnson brings more than 30 years of judicial and legal experience to the role. He previously served as circuit judge of the 14th Judicial District in Tennessee until his retirement in 2021. Johnson continues to hear cases as an ad hoc judge and also serves as attorney for the city of Manchester. Johnson earned his law degree from the University of Tennessee. “For the rural hospitals we serve, having access to experienced legal leadership is critical. The addition of Craig Johnson as chief legal officer gives our facilities a trusted advisor who understands the complexities of healthcare compliance and provider retention,” said Java CEO Bappa Mukherji.

Tennessee’s unemployment rate held steady last month at 3.6%, seven-tenths of a percentage point below the national rate, according to data from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in August was unchanged from the previous month. Tennessee’s unemployment rate continues to track well below the U.S. rate, which was 4.3% in August. Over the past year, Tennessee employers added 34,400 jobs, with the biggest gains in government, the professional and business services sector, and leisure and hospitality.

The TBA Young Lawyers Division, Belmont University College of Law and Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services are joining forces to offer a wills clinic on Oct. 11 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. CDT at the Nashville Public Library's Southeast Branch, 5260 Hickory Hollow Pkwy #201, Antioch 37013. Volunteer attorneys will prepare simple wills, powers of attorney and advanced health care directives for clients. If you are interested in participating, please email YLD District 9 Representative Ginny Blake.

The TBA is accepting applications from candidates interested in the position of Education and Professional Development Coordinator. This position manages projects and logistics for continuing legal education (CLE) programs, section/committee meetings and special events. The role oversees communication, scheduling, vendor coordination, volunteer management, budgeting and follow-up to ensure programs run smoothly and meet member needs. To apply, send a cover letter explaining interest in the position and a resume by email to Director of Education and Professional Development Jennifer Vossler. Access the full job description here.

Gov. Bill Lee today appointed Judge Jim Todd to the 20th Judicial District Criminal Court, covering Davidson County. Todd currently serves as a judge in the Davidson County General Sessions Court. He will fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Cheryl Blackburn. Todd earned his bachelor’s degree at Vanderbilt University and law degree at the University of Memphis. “I am proud to announce the appointment of Judge Todd to the 20th Judicial District Criminal Court. Jim brings significant experience to the bench, and I appreciate his leadership and willingness to serve Tennesseans with integrity,” Lee said according to the Nashville Post.

The U.S. Senate confirmed 48 of President Donald Trump’s nominees with one vote under new rules designed to begin clearing a backlog of executive branch positions that had been delayed, WSMV reports. The new rules allow the Senate to move multiple nominees with a simple majority vote — a process that previously would have been blocked with just one objection. The rules do not apply to judicial nominations or high-level cabinet posts. The Senate voted 51-47 to confirm the four dozen nominees.

Four Middle Tennessee family law attorneys — David Garrett, Jacob T. Thorington, Jason A. Talley and Kayla Redmon — have launched a new firm, Garrett Talley & Thorington, with offices in Franklin. The firm’s family law services represent clients in divorces, including uncontested divorces and complex divorces with high assets or intellectual property assets, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, child custody and child support, alimony and spousal support. David Garrett and Jacob T. Thorington also provide Rule 31 listed family law mediations, the Williamson Herald reports. The lawyers bring a combined 70 years of family law experience to the new firm. “We’re excited to announce this new association. We bring tremendous experience in guiding clients through what can be some of the most difficult times in their lives and providing legal solutions that are specifically designed to meet their unique goals. We share not only experience, but the desire to provide the best guidance possible to our clients,” Garrett said.

An official investiture ceremony was held for Hamilton County Circuit Court’s newest judge, Jennifer Peck, the Chattanoogan reports. Peck, a native of Chattanooga who grew up on Signal Mountain and attended Baylor School, founded Peck Legal Group after graduating from Auburn University and earning her law degree at Regent University. She later served as deputy commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Commerce before being appointed to the bench by Gov. Bill Lee in May and began hearing cases that month. She fills a vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Michael Dumitru, who recently took office as a new federal magistrate judge in East Tennessee.

A total of 101 people born in foreign countries became U.S. citizens Wednesday at a naturalization ceremony at Tusculum University in Greeneville. According to the Greeneville Sun, a large crowd watched as the U.S. District Judge Clifton Corker administered the Oath of Allegiance to the people from 44 countries in the theater at the Annie-Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Center on campus. Corker reflected on American history, from the signing of the Constitution in 1787 to the struggles for civil rights, while encouraging the group to exercise freedoms such as speech, religion and voting. Several new citizens shared their personal journeys as well. Following the proceedings, many of the new citizens waited patiently in line to have their photographs taken with Corker and took the opportunity to register to vote in the lobby of the theater.

The Tennessee Supreme Court on Sept. 19 affirmed the suspension of Davidson County attorney James B. Johnson for disclosure of confidential client communications. The violations stemmed from Johnson's representation of a client in a divorce proceeding in Shelby County beginning in February 2021. At some point, Johnson and his client began to have disagreements regarding his performance and decisions. Johnson filed a motion to withdraw from representation in March 2021. In support of that motion, Johnson attached emails between him and his client that discussed the scope of his representation, legal opinions and advice, his client’s position on matters at issue in the case, and personal insults between the two. The client then filed a complaint with the Board of Professional Responsibility (BPR), which filed a formal disciplinary petition. The BPR alleged that Johnson disclosed the confidential communications without his client's permission and recommended that he be suspended from the practice of law for three months, with 30 days to be served on active suspension and the remainder on probation. The BPR also recommended that he complete six additional continuing legal education hours. Johnson appealed to discipline first to the Davidson County Circuit Court and then to the state Supreme Court, both which upheld the suspension. Read the court's decision or a press release from the BPR.