Florida lawyer Diane Joyce Geller was reinstated to the practice of law in Tennessee on Oct. 16. She had been placed on inactive status more than five years ago on May 16, 2013. The Board of Professional Responsibility reviewed her petition for reinstatement and determined it was satisfactory. The Tennessee Supreme Court issued the order on Oct. 23.

The Knoxville Bar Association and the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, in partnership with Legal Aid of East Tennessee (LAET), will hold a Debt Relief Clinic on Nov. 9 to provide pro bono legal services to income-eligible consumer debtors in Knox, Blount, Loudon and Sevier counties. The clinic will begin at 8:45 a.m. EDT at the Knox County Public Defender's Community Law Office, 1101 Liberty St., Knoxville 37919. Judge Suzanne Bauknight will present a short overview of the bankruptcy system and then volunteer lawyers will conduct initial meetings with the clients to discuss their situations and options. Those interested in helping should register online. Clients seeking advice should register by Nov. 1 by calling 865-637-0484.

Cleveland resident Chad Hedgcock has pleaded guilty to two of four misdemeanor counts he was charged with in May, Chattanooga Times Free Press reports. Hedgcock was originally charged with entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, and parading, picketing or demonstrating in a Capitol building. In the plea agreement, he pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct in a Capitol building and parading, picketing or demonstrating in a Capitol building. A number of Tennesseans have been charged with crimes stemming from the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Attorneys for the city of Memphis say they require cell phone records from Tyre Nichols' parents, friends and telephone companies to prepare a defense in a civil lawsuit from Nichols' mother RowVaughn Wells. She is seeking $550 million in damages for the death of her son following his interactions with local police. The amount, according to Wells, is based on Nichols' life aspirations, potential earnings and health. The city says it needs to be able to corroborate that depiction of Nichols. The request for records came in a court filing that also argued the case could "essentially bankrupt" the city. Wells is challenging subpoenas for the records, arguing the move is an invasion of privacy and harassment. The Commercial Appeal reports on the issue.

LBMC, an accounting and business consulting firm, recently announced it has expanded its practice areas to include family law support services. The service will be led by new shareholders Cheryl Panther and Scott Womack and will provide expertise and specialized support for litigated divorce and family law matters, as well as collaborative and mediation processes. Prior to joining LBMC, Panther founded Panther Financial Planning and Panther Financial Divorce Solutions. She is also a Rule 31 mediator. Womack previously served as senior vice president at Mercer Capital. He works closely with family law attorneys in divorce matters including valuation of assets, forensic accounting and expert testimony. Read more in a release from the company.

The Memphis Bar Association (MBA) will hold its 2024 Annual Meeting on Dec. 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. CST. The event will take place at Bridges USA, 477 N. 5th St., Memphis 38105. Watch for more details as they become available.

West Tennessee Legal Services (WTLS) has added Memphis native Claudia Williams Hyman as its newest pro bono staff attorney in Memphis. Hyman will oversee the case assessment and placement process, working closely with pro bono volunteers to ensure high-quality legal representation. She also will lead the development of pro bono clinics, train staff and volunteers, and play a critical role in coordinating pro bono services for families in Shelby, Tipton, Fayette and Lauderdale counties. Additionally, she will engage in statewide pro bono initiatives and strengthen relationships with private bar attorneys to expand volunteer participation. WTLS began serving clients in Shelby and surrounding counties in July.

Federal prosecutors in Tennessee have released information about the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) election day efforts to handle voting rights concerns and threats of violence to election officials or staff. In the Eastern District of Tennessee, Assistant United States Attorney Mac D. Heavener III will serve as the district election officer. He can be reached at 423-823-5009 or 423-218-6652. In the Middle District of Tennessee, Criminal Chief Ben Schrader will lead election day efforts. He can be reached at 615-736-5151. In the Western District of Tennessee, Assistant United States Attorney Will Crow will be the point of contact. He can be reached at 901-544-4231. Allegations of election fraud and other election abuses should be referred to the statewide FBI office at 865-544-0751. Read more from each office at the links above.

The Administrative Office of the Courts is out with a profile of 20th Judicial District General Sessions Court Judge Ana Escobar, a Nashville native who was the first in her family to go to law school. Escobar attended George Washington University Law School in Washington, D.C. She thought she would be a lobbyist but after spending a summer in the Nashville Public Defender’s Office, she says she “fell in love with criminal law.” Her ability to speak Spanish also has opened doors. As a prosecutor, she traveled to Mexico to prosecute a case. In private practice, she served dual roles as interpreter and lawyer. On the bench, she says her background and language skills put others at ease. Escobar is proud to be the first elected Hispanic judge in Tennessee. Of her current role Escobar says, “I love just dealing with people and trying to figure out how to help or give accountability to people.”

Nashville native and lawyer Ben Hardin Rowan II died Oct. 19 at the age of 86. Rowan attended Vanderbilt University on a basketball scholarship and graduated with a philosophy degree. He joined the U.S. Army and served as a lieutenant before returning to Vanderbilt for law school. He graduated in 1964 and joined the law firm Watkins, McGugin, McNeilly and Rowan, where he was a partner for 25 years until he retired. Rowan served as a member of the Nashville Bar Association Board of Directors, chair of the Nashville Bar Admission to Practice Law Committee and vice president of the Tennessee Defense Lawyers. Visitation will take place at Immanuel Baptist Church, 222 Belle Meade Blvd., Nashville 37205 on Nov. 3 from 1-2 p.m. CDT. A funeral will follow at 2 p.m. Memorial donations may be given to Immanuel Baptist Church, Brentwood Academy or Vanderbilt University.