The Board of Judicial Conduct on Tuesday issued a public reprimand to Shelby County General Sessions Judge Bill Anderson Jr. The reprimand addresses two matters, the first that Anderson raised his voice and was sarcastic to a Memphis police sergeant who appeared in court for a bond hearing at the judge's request. The board pointed out that "a party who is the subject of overly harsh or intemperate words may reasonably perceive that the judge is biased." The second matter concerned Anderson's statements made in a September Shelby County Commission meeting during which he stated that he "detest[s] the bail bond system in Shelby County. I detest it across the state." The board expressed concern that the statements could "undermine public perception and confidence" that a judge would approach cases "fairly and impartially, as well as undermine public confidence in the judiciary." The court noted that Anderson cooperated with its review and took full responsibility for his actions.

John Howard Roe Jr., one of the founding partners of Sherrard Roe Voigt & Harbison, died Tuesday after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. Roe, 77, began his legal career in Atlanta and then moved back to Nashville in 1974 to be closer to his childhood home of Clarksville. In 1981, he and colleague Tom Sherrard opened the law offices of O’Hare, Sherrard & Roe. He remained active in the firm until his gradual retirement beginning in 2019 and ending recently. Throughout his 50-year legal career, Roe developed an expertise in commercial real estate, tax law, municipal finance and international law. He also co-wrote the Tennessee Condominium Act of 2008. A 1972 graduate of Vanderbilt University Law School, he was active in the Nashville community, supporting the local chapter of the Boy Scouts and serving on the board of the local Habitat for Humanity chapter. Services will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church on Saturday. Visitation will begin at 2:30 p.m. with a celebration of life service to follow at 4 p.m. CST. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville.

The TBA will hold an afternoon conversation with Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Holly Kirby and Justice Dwight Tarwater at Burch, Porter & Johnson in Memphis on March 7 from 2:30-4 p.m. CST. Moderated by attorneys Will Perry and Buck Wellford, the panel will discuss each justice's path to the bench, the importance of mentors, the manner in which the justices interact, the importance of the Rule of Law in our society, and more. The event will wrap up with a networking reception from 4:30-6:30 p.m. CST. Make plans today to attend this unique program and reserve your spot soon as space is limited. All members of the legal community are invited to attend the free reception. No reservation for the reception is required.

Join the TBA's Tort & Insurance Law Section on Feb. 13 for its annual forum, presented virtually this year. The three-hour general, one-hour dual CLE program will feature sessions on health care liability, how to read and understand medical reports, updates on the Anti-SLAPP statute and ethics. Get more info or register.

On Monday, the Tennessee Supreme Court reinstated the law licenses of two attorneys who had been on inactive status. Memphis lawyer and former federal judge Bernice Bouie Donald had been on inactive status since March 26, 2012. She was reinstated effective Jan. 26. Florida lawyer Tracey Robinson-Coffee had been on inactive status since April 23, 2013. She was reinstated effective Jan. 11.

The U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee is accepting comments regarding the reappointment of two incumbent magistrate judges: U.S. Magistrate Judge Alistair Newbern and U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffery S. Frensley. Newbern’s term will expire on Aug. 31, while Frensley’s term will expire on Oct. 9. Comments from the public and the legal community are encouraged and should be submitted by March 31 by email to MJComments@tnmd.uscourts.gov. Read more in a release from the court.

Former Republican lawmaker Scott Campbell is claiming he was forced to resign as part of a cover-up for a Republican leader, WKRN reports. Campbell quit the legislature in 2023 after sexual harassment allegations came to light. A state investigation found Campbell violated harassment policy in his interaction with an intern. Campbell defended the interactions as “consensual” conversations. Now he is suing for records he says will help clear his name.

State Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville, has confirmed that she plans to run for her current state House District 90 seat in addition to running for the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn. The Tennessee Journal reports that Johnson says she is aware of attempts to block that ability. Legislation that would bar candidates for state and federal offices from appearing on primary or general election ballots for two or more offices is being promoted by two Knoxville Republicans: Senate State and Local Government Chair Richard Briggs and Rep. Dave Wright. The bill would allow for a few exceptions, including if the candidate already holds two offices and for purely political offices such as party state executive committees.

Just a few spots remain to travel to Ireland with the TBA in May. The Law & Culture in Ireland CLE program will take place May 7-13. Two travel options are available: a four-night trip to Dublin and a six-night trip to Dublin and Belfast. In conjunction with CLE Abroad, travelers will engage with local experts, academics, officials and change makers who will offer in-depth commentary on the EU and UK legal-political systems, economics, environmental justice, history and religion. In Dublin, the group also will explore ancient castles, visit landmarks, museums and notable legal institutions, and sample local cuisine. In Belfast, travelers will learn about the region's unique political history, the Good Friday Agreement, ongoing reconciliation efforts and the peace process. Add on trips to the West Coast and Cliffs of Moher also are available. View a brochure here.

In addition to the opportunity to view the first episode of Henry Louis Gates Jr.'s history series in Chattanooga, a free watch party is scheduled for the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville. The event will take place Monday from 6-9 p.m. CST at the museum, located at 510 Broadway, Nashville 37203. A panel discussion will follow the screening. Sponsored by the museum and Nashville Public Radio, the event will feature the first installment of a four-part series that takes a deep dive into the origin story of Black spirituality through sermon and song. RSVP here.