KBA polls on judicial candidates
The Knoxville Bar Association (KBA) has released its poll of members regarding the various judicial candidates and those running for court clerks.
Of four races on the May 5 ballot, three are uncontested. Rated as “Recommend or Strongly Recommend” were: Criminal Court Division I Judge Emily Abbott, 48.1%; Criminal Court Clerk Mike Hammond, 67.6%; Circuit Court Clerk Charlie Susano, 77.1%. Almost half of the respondents said they did not know enough about Abbott to rate her.
The only contested judicial race is for General Sessions Court Judge Division IV (the seat from which Judge Andrew Jackson retired).
There, incumbent Judge Andrea Kline received 66.64% Recommend or Strongly Recommend. Ben H. Houston II got a combined 15.97%. Knox County Commissioner Rhonda Lee, 6.34.
You can read the criteria used here. Also, find a profile of each candidate here.
McDermott leads two-day training for KPD
Sean McDermott
Deputy District Attorney Sean McDermott recently led a two-day “Introduction to State Law” training for recruits at the Knoxville Police Department – TN (KPD) Training Academy.
DA Charme Allen said: “Our office regularly partners with law enforcement agencies to provide training on state law for both new recruits and seasoned officers. These trainings help ensure a strong understanding of the legal framework officers operate within from the very beginning of their careers.
“We appreciate the opportunity to support KPD and invest in continued collaboration across our agencies.”
Reid to be published in Elon Law Review
Melanie Reid
Melanie Reid, LMU Law associate dean of faculty and professor, on her upcoming article in the Elon Law Review. In her article, From Peel to AI: Reclaiming the Community-Centered Criminal Justice System, Reid examines how policing, prosecution, and corrections were originally grounded in community trust, accountability, and human connection, and how each has drifted from that foundation. Posted March 24, 2026
Sam McKenzie reports from Nashville
State Rep. Sam McKenzie had some wins last week as the TN General Asembly winds down for another year. Get Sam’s weekly newsletter via email here.
McKenzie and Rep. Gary Hicks (Rogersville) honored the Tennessee Financial Literacy Commission (TNFLC), and Tennessee Credit Unions, during the House floor session.
Rep. McKenzie passed HB2432, changing the statute of limitations for vehicular homicide. Sen. Richard Briggs is the Senate sponsor.
Vouchers: A new amendment was added to the House version of the “Education Freedom Scholarship” legislation, expanding the number of scholarships to 35,000, while the Senate version expands the number to 40,000. The legislation no longer contains the provision that requires school districts to report the number of undocumented students in their schools. Rep. McKenzie remains opposed to any legislation that expands vouchers.
FedEx: McKenzie led successful efforts to kill legislation that would give the FedEx Corporation $20 million dollars in tax breaks for their new sorting project. McKenzie also added that FedEx has received tax exemptions on aviation fuel from the state. The vote count on the bill was 37 for, and 45 against. Knox County House members voting aye: Michele Carringer, Elaine Davis, Dave Wright and Jason Zachary. Voting no: Gloria Johnson, Justin Lafferty and Sam McKenzie.
Attrition at the DOJ
“The Department of Justice (DOJ) is our nation’s largest law firm, typically employing 9,000 to 10,000 attorneys nationwide. It’s been widely reported that thousands of DOJ attorneys have departed since January 2025, with estimates suggesting over 2,500 lawyers resigned or retired by early 2026. Justice Connection estimates more than 5,300 total employees have left, including over 70% of attorneys in the Civil Rights Division.” – Skye Perryman is the president and CEO of Democracy Forward
Notes & Quotes
Lucas Fishman and Taylor Rakes won the Barristers Cornhole Tournament held at Yee-Haw Brewing Company. The sponsor was Bernstein, Stair, & McAdams, LLP, with Harris Construction and Asset Realty Management donating the prizes.
Law Day Luncheon 2026 is set for Wednesday, April 29, from 11:30 to 1 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza, 401 W. Summit Hill Dr., Knoxville. The speaker will be former U.S. Atty. Gen. Alberto R. Gonzales, now dean and professor of law at Belmont University. Get tickets online here.
Quote: Galileo Galilei was put on trial by the Inquisition on April 12, 1633, for supporting the theory that the Earth revolves around the sun. In late April 1633, Galileo agreed to plead guilty and was sentenced to an unlimited period of house arrest in his home in Florence. He gradually went blind and died in 1641. It wasn’t until 1992 that the Catholic Church formally admitted that Galileo’s views on the solar system are correct.” – Garrison Keillor, Writer’s Almanac.
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