The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is sounding the alarm about a Venezuelan gang it says is operating in major cities across Tennessee, News 5 reports. In its budget request to the governor, the agency warned about the rising threat of Tren de Aragua, a violent criminal group. "We know they are on a pathway to more violence," TBI Director David Rausch said at a budget hearing on Tuesday. "They are back in all our major cities. They are running human trafficking operations." Rausch said the gang was first identified in the state years ago in a human trafficking bust but many of the members fled after the operation. He said there's been no sight of them since until recently.

TBA Young Lawyers Division’s Rookie Series will be back next month with a new installment. Join colleagues on Dec. 13 for Personal Injury Law Part 2. The live one-hour webcast will start at noon CST and provide insights into handling more difficult personal injury cases. Topics include complex liability scenarios, strategies for catastrophic injury claims, and advanced litigation techniques such as motions in limine, effective deposition strategies and expert witness challenges. The program will wrap up with a session on navigating difficult negotiations while maintaining professional integrity. Those who missed Personal Injury Law Part 1 can catch up here.

Registration is now open for the next free advice clinic for Black-owned small businesses and nonprofits, set for Nov. 21 in Nashville. The clinic, sponsored by the Arts & Business Council's Volunteer Lawyers & Professionals for the Arts and Bradley, provides assistance with business formation and corporate governance, review of contracts and guidance in navigating local ordinances and state regulations. Prospective clients should register by Nov. 18. Attorneys should email vlpa@abcnashville.org to volunteer.

The Tennessee Supreme Court has notified Florida lawyer Katherine Kemp that she needs to complete outstanding obligations with the Tennessee Commission on Continuing Legal Education (CLE) before her petition for reinstatement will be considered. The court gave her until Dec. 23 to complete the requirements or indicated it would dismiss the petition. Kemp filed for reinstatement on Oct. 25.

TBA’s Group Health Insurance, provided by BlueCross BlueShield, offers guaranteed issue coverage, with no health questions and no pre-existing condition exclusions. The Nashville law firm Sherrard Roe Voigt Harbison made the switch. Here is what firm administrative assistant Leah Atkinson says about the program: "Our firm joined the TBA group health insurance in 2024. We could not ignore the fact that it would be cost effective with a significant savings of about $25,000 on our monthly premiums. The transition to the new medical plan was seamless. The team held enrollment meetings with our group and answered any questions we had about the plan. We are committed to providing our employees with the best possible health care coverage but then to pass on savings to our employees, it was an easy decision to make for our group." Find out more or get your quote now.

The Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands will hold three legal advice clinics this week. Tomorrow, the group will hold a walk-in clinic at the Gallatin Civic Center from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at 210 Albert Gallatin Ave., Gallatin 37066. On Wednesday, a clinic for veterans will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Operation Stand Down, 1125 12th Ave. S., Nashville 37203. On Thursday, a walk-in clinic will take place from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at Greenhouse Ministries, 309 S. Academy St., Murfreesboro 37130. All times central. Learn more about each event at the links above. Attorneys who would like to volunteer at an LAS clinic can sign up here.

Davidson County lawyer Wendell Cornelius Dawson was reinstated to the practice of law on Nov. 7. He had been suspended on Jan. 26 for three years, with three months to be served on active suspension and the remainder on probation. His reinstatement is conditioned on engaging a practice monitor during the probationary period and incurring no new complaints related to the conduct for which he was suspended.

The Tennessee Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims and the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board have adopted a standing order complying with the Tennessee Supreme Court’s disaster plan for trial courts in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Judicial Districts, which was put in place following severe flooding from Hurricane Helene. While the courts were created by legislation rather than the state Constitution, they are subject to the Tennessee Supreme Court and have concluded that the court’s disaster plan affects claims under their jurisdictions. The plan allows a 45-day extension of mandatory deadlines for the identified districts. Read more in a release.

The 2024 Creditors Practice Forum will take place in person in Nashville on Nov. 14 from 10 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. CST. The event will be held at the Tennessee Bankers Association, 211 Athens Way, Nashville 37228. This year’s forum will feature a case law update, a review of the Davidson County Local Rules of Court and more. Three general and one dual CLE credits are available. Creditors Practice Section members enjoy discounted registration and other benefits. Not a section member? Join here.