Former American Bar Association (ABA) President William H. “Bill” Neukom, who led the organization from 2007 to 2008, has died. During his tenure, Neukom established the Commission on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, chaired the Fund for Justice and Education, and led an ABA task force focused on advancing the rule of law globally, according to a release. Neukom also was a co-founder and CEO of the World Justice Project, an organization dedicated to promoting the rule of law, and a retired partner in the Seattle office of the international law firm K&L Gates. He taught a seminar on the rule of law at Stanford Law School, where he earned his law degree.

The American Bar Association (ABA) is launching a yearlong campaign and a two-year traveling exhibit to mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The campaign will include a variety of programming and events. The initiative also will feature a traveling exhibit called “250 Years of Independence: Fortifying America’s Commitment to Democracy for All,” to explore the evolving meaning of independence and the role of the rule of law. For information about the initiative contact Betsy Adeboyejo at Betsy.Adeboyejo@americanbar.org. To explore hosting an event contact Anna Snyder, director of the Standing Committee on the Law Library of Congress, at anna.snyder@americanbar.org. Read more in a press release from the association.

Nashville lawyer Hugh C. Gracey Jr. died July 8 at the age of 79. Originally from Pennsylvania, he graduated from Auburn University in 1967 and earned his law degree from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University in Birmingham in 1971. He returned to Nashville following law school graduation and practiced with his father for 12 years at Gracey, Madden Cowan & Bird before starting his own law firm of Gracey, Howard, and Sowell in 1987. That firm later became Gracey, Ruth, Howard, Tate and Sowell. Gracey was a member of the American Bar Association, Tennessee Bar Association, Nashville Bar Association, Tennessee Defense Lawyers Association, Federation of Insurance and Corporate Counsel and the Defense Research Institute. He retired from the practice of law in 1999. A celebration of life will be held in the near future. Memorial donations may be made to “The BGA Fund” at Battle Ground Academy in Franklin.

Memphis lawyer Harry Eugene Sayle III died July 11 at the age of 82. A graduate of Memphis State University, he went on to earn his law degree in 1985. He spent much of his career as a civil servant and was working in the Shelby County Public Defender’s Office up until his passing. Visitation will be held on July 25, at noon CDT with a memorial service to follow at 1 p.m. at Memorial Park Funeral Home, 5668 Poplar Ave., Memphis 38119. Memorial donations may be made to the ACLU or Real Good Dog Rescue.

Legal Aid of East Tennessee will hold a free Parenting Plan Advice Clinic on July 21 from 1-4 p.m. EDT at the Slater Community Center, 325 McDowell St., Bristol 37620. Attorney volunteers are still needed. For more information or to sign up contact Matthew Sharp at msharp@laet.org. Clients can register here. View a flyer for the event.

Three more states have announced they will adopt the NextGen Uniform Bar Exam (UBE). Law.come reports that Alabama, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania have joined the growing number of states agreeing to utilize the new exam. This brings to 43 the total number of jurisdictions adopting the NextGen UBE, which aims to assess practical legal skills and ethical decision-making, preparing new lawyers for the realities of modern legal practice. Also recently, one state rejected the new exam. Nevada has announced that its bar exam will include three components: a multiple-choice section, a performance examination and a supervised practice component.

Make plans now to join colleagues on July 31 for a panel discussion outlining how attorneys can serve nonprofit organizations. Produced by the Tennessee Bar Association and West Tennessee Legal Services, this program is the first in a three-part series to equip attorneys with the skills and confidence to create, strengthen and support the work of nonprofit organizations. Presenters first will provide an overview of nonprofit law, including the formation, governance and tax implications associated with operating a nonprofit organization. Next, a panel of nonprofit experts will discuss their experiences and recommendations for creating a nonprofit. Although the event is designed for legal professionals, all are welcome to join. Registration for this webcast is free but 1.5 hours of general CLE credit is available for a $50 processing fee.

Tennessee state Rep. Jay Reedy, R-Erin, who previously filed paperwork to launch a bid for the 7th Congressional District seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Mark Green, has decided not to run. Clarksville Now reports that Reedy dropped out of the contest, saying, “At this time I feel God has placed me in the Tennessee state House and the job is not yet finished. His departure leaves these five Republicans and two Democrats to face off in their respective party primaries. The field also includes former state Rep. Brandon Ogles and health executive Mason Foley on the Republican side and state Rep. Vincent Dixie on the Democratic side. Former Nashville mayor Megan Barry and state Republican Sen. Bill Powers of Clarksville, who originally had expressed interest in the seat, have decided not to run.

Testimony continued into a second day on what impact death row inmate Byron Black’s cardioverter-defibrillator will have once pentobarbital is administered to him during his Aug. 5 execution. On Wednesday, the state made its case. Two expert witnesses testified that the device will not cause additional pain. Both were in direct opposition to Monday’s testimony from witness who asserted the pentobarbital will cause the device to repeatedly shock Black. Davidson County Chancellor Russell Perkins has said a ruling can be expected by Friday. The Nashville Banner reports on the proceeding in its latest newsletter.

Metro Nashville Police have charged Phaitoon Sean Viryasiri for sending threatening letters to four judges, the Nashville Banner reports. Viryasiri, an inmate in the Davidson County Jail, was charged with a Class E felony for threatening Criminal Court Judge Khadija Babb with retaliation for decisions made when he was a defendant in her court. He also was charged with Class A misdemeanor for harassing threats in 17 letters sent to Babb, Criminal Court Judge Angelita Blackshear Dalton, Criminal Court Judge Cynthia Chappell and General Sessions Court Judge Ana Escobar. Viryasiri has been in jail since last October for probation violations related to felony assault and burglary convictions. The police department previously announced it was investigating the threats.