The Biden administration on Friday made additional disaster assistance available to the state of Tennessee for debris removal and emergency protective measures undertaken as a result of Hurricane Helene. The action increases the level of federal funding from 75% to 100% of the total eligible costs for a period of 120 days — of the state’s choosing — within the first 180 days from the start of the incident on Sept. 26. For individual assistance, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is reporting that it has approved more than $21.9 million for 6,327 Tennessee households affected by the storm, according to WBIR News. Residents in upper East Tennessee have until Jan. 7, 2025, to apply for FEMA assistance.

Matthew Stephen Heiter died Nov. 29 at age 64 after a difficult bout with cancer. Born in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, he graduated from the University of Mississippi and Vanderbilt Law School. Heiter practiced law in Memphis for many years, first at Waring Cox and later at Baker Donelson. He also served as senior vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary for NN Inc., a Charlotte, North Carolina-based global manufacturer. Funeral services will take place at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Dec. 13 at 1:30 p.m. CST. In lieu of flowers, the family would welcome memorial gifts to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 1669 Central Ave., Memphis, TN 38104, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Whether you’re leading a meeting, arguing at trial or speaking at a conference, you want to communicate in a professional manner with confidence and credibility. Mimi Bliss of Bliss Communications has updated her popular workshop for 2025, providing actionable techniques that attorneys can implement immediately, including tips for virtual presentations, panel discussions, networking events, business meetings and speaking engagements. Join colleagues on Dec. 30 at 3 p.m. CST for this can't-miss webcast replay.

In April 2025, the TBA will travel north to experience downtown Louisville and its rich bourbon heritage on the Urban Bourbon Trail with four hours of dynamic CLE programming, a welcome dinner and distillery tours. Save the dates of April 4-5 for this unique CLE experience! Registration will open soon.

Join Brent Jones from the U.S. Attorney's Office in Knoxville on Dec. 17 at 11 a.m. CST for an end-of-year update on federal law. Earn one general credit hour with this one-hour webcast. Get more information and register here.

Are you interested in serving on TBA's Board of Governors or House of Delegates, or as a TBA delegate to the American Bar Association House of Delegates? The 2025 Election Notice has more information on what positions are open and the qualifications for each. Questions? Visit the TBA’s website at www.tba.org/election_guidelines. The deadline to apply is Jan. 15, 2025.

An investigation is ongoing into claims of sexual misconduct at the Mountain Home James H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Johnson City. U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chair Mike Bost, R–Illinois, said the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provided the committee with documents related to an internal investigation into the allegations. Bost confirmed that the information revealed that sexual relationships and misconduct did occur on the VA property at Mountain Home. The House committee has been investigating the matter since July. WJHL has more on the allegations.

Attorney Robert Roe "Bob" Campbell died Dec. 6 at age 94. A lifelong Knoxville resident, Campbell graduated from the University of Tennessee, both undergraduate and the College of Law. After college, he served on active duty as an Army officer, including a tour of duty in Korea before admission to the bar. Campbell began his law practice in 1956 and practiced with Hodges Doughty & Carson for over 60 years. During his career he served as president of the Knoxville Bar Association, chair of the Tennessee Appellate Court Nominating Commission, chair of the Tennessee Bar Foundation and was a life member of the 6th Circuit Judicial Conference. Campbell also was active in state politics, including serving as Sen. Howard Baker's statewide campaign chairman. A memorial service will be held at Second Presbyterian Church, 2829 Kingston Pike, Knoxville 37919 on Dec. 14 at 1 p.m. EST. Memorial gifts may be made to Second Presbyterian Church.

The Nashville Arts & Business Council, in partnership with United Way of Greater Nashville and the Nashville Financial Empowerment Center, will host a pro bono tax clinic for artists, musicians and creatives on Jan. 15, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. CST. The event will offer individuals the opportunity to meet with a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) volunteer to learn how to file their taxes in the way that is most beneficial for them and/or to meet with a financial counselor for help repair credit and manage debt. Prospective clients should register by Jan. 10, 2025. The event will take place at the Nashville Financial Empowerment Center, 217 South 10th St., Nashville 37206.

Hamilton County commissioners plan to discuss at a meeting on Wednesday a proposal from County Mayor Weston Wamp to replace long-serving county attorney Rheubin Taylor with Janie Parks Varnell. Taylor has served as the county attorney since 1993 and his contract expires in June. When Wamp took office in September 2022, he attempted unsuccessfully to fire Taylor, citing Taylor's handling of public records and his work on noncounty legal business. The commission supported Taylor, and a judge ruled Taylor could serve out his term. The proposal calls for Varnell to start in January and transition into the role. Though Taylor's term expires in June, some are considering keeping him on as a contract counsel through the end of 2025. Wamp recently scheduled a private meet-and-greet — which he says was strictly informational — for commissioners to interact with Varnell. Some feared the gathering violated Tennessee’s open meeting laws. The Chattanooga Times Free Press has the story.