TBA President Ed Lanquist Jr. expressed support for Tennessee attorneys and the communities affected by Hurricane Helene, as well as colleagues in Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and North Carolina, saying, “We are saddened by the devastation to our communities and the losses sustained by so many. Many lawyers across the southeast have been affected by the flooding and other wind damage. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected. We will be looking at ways to assist in the weeks to come.” In Tennessee, significant flooding and power outages have affected the eastern part of the state. Gov. Bill Lee issued Executive Order 105 on Friday, declaring a state emergency. A federal disaster declaration followed, providing public assistance in eight counties, primarily focused on emergency work and repair or replacement of damaged facilities. For those impacted by the storm, the Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services' website Help4TN has legal information and resources, and individuals with disaster-related legal questions may call 844-HELP4TN. Resources for lawyers interested in helping are available on the TBA website. Tennessee lawyers in need of assistance may contact TBA Access to Justice Director Liz Todaro. The American Bar Association lists opportunities to help lawyers in other states on its disaster webpage.

The Tennessee Supreme Court on Sept. 23 suspended 10 attorneys for failure to pay the annual registration fee; eight of them also failed to file proof that client funds are held in an IOLTA-compliant account. View the fee suspension order and IOLTA suspension order. See the list of all lawyers suspended and reinstated for fee and IOLTA violations in 2024 or access all administrative suspensions dating back to 2005. Seven attorneys have been reinstated in the last month.

Registration is now open for the next free advice clinic for Black-owned small businesses and nonprofits, set for Oct. 17 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 Oct. 14. Attorneys should email vlpa@abcnashville.org to volunteer.

Greene County lawyer Francis Xavier Santore Jr. was immediately suspended from the practice of law after the Tennessee Supreme Court found he posed a threat of substantial harm to the public. The court also directed Santore to undergo an examination by a qualified medical or mental health expert to assess his capacity and fitness to practice law, and execute a written release allowing the Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program to share information about his case with the Board of Professional Responsibility. Finally, the court directed Santore to provide a number of items related to previous psychological evaluations.

The Tennessee Supreme Court has transferred the law license of Sevier County lawyer Andrew Nicholas Wilson to disability inactive status. Wilson may not practice law while on inactive status but may seek reinstatement by showing by clear and convincing evidence that the disability has been removed.

Tennessee Court of Workers' Compensation Claims Judge Pamela B. Johnson recently was inducted into the National Association of Workers’ Compensation Judiciary’s (NAWCJ) Adjudicators Hall of Fame. Johnson has been active in the NAWCJ since 2014. Criteria for selection in the Hall of Fame includes exemplary service as an adjudicator of workers’ compensation issues, service to the NAWCJ and a record of writing, speaking and advocating for those affected by workplace injuries. Read more about the honor in a press release from the court.

The Tennessee Supreme Court has one case set for its Oct. 4 docket. It will hear oral arguments in the case of Gary Wygant and Francie Hunt v. Bill Lee et al. beginning at 9 a.m. CDT at the Tennessee Supreme Court building in Nashville. The arguments also will be live streamed on the court’s YouTube page. The case arises from a challenge to the maps of state legislative districts implemented after the 2020 census. Learn more about the case.

The U.S. Supreme Court will begin a new term on Oct. 7. Catch up on what the justices were doing over the summer (think emergency requests, book tours and security threats) with a new episode from Bloomberg Law’s Cases and Controversies podcast. For those interested in a preview of the new term, the American Bar Association will offer a free virtual program on Oct. 1 to explore issues set to be considered, including cases involving election questions, water quality standards, the First Amendment and ghost guns. The court also will take up Tennessee’s law banning gender-related medical care for minors. “On the Docket: Looking Ahead at the New Supreme Court Term” will run from 1-2:20 p.m. EDT. Learn more or register here.

The prosecution in the federal trial against three former Memphis Police Department officers charged in the death of Tyre Nichols rested its case earlier today after hearing from its 19th and final witness. The trial began on Sept. 9. The Daily Memphian has a recap of each day of the trial. The Commercial Appeal also reports that the defense filed a motion for acquittal at the conclusion of the government’s case. Judge Mark S. Norris was set to hear arguments on the motion today.

The Memphis Bar Association (MBA) is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year and will mark the occasion with a special event on Oct. 19 at the Museum of Science & History (MoSH). The evening will run from 6:30 to 11 p.m. CDT and feature food, drinks and music by the Soul Shockers. Each attendee also will leave with a special anniversary gift. The deadline to register is Oct. 4. Learn more here and purchase tickets here.