Sen. Todd Gardenhire, R-Chattanooga, is sponsoring new legislation that would extend Tennessee’s private school voucher program to Hamilton County Schools, Chalkbeat reports. Gardenhire said he has a co-sponsor lined up in the House but declined to identify the individual. The voucher program currently operates only in Memphis and Nashville.

The Federal Election Commission is threatening U.S. Rep.-elect Andy Ogles with an audit or other enforcement if he fails to fix discrepancies in his campaign finance report, Tennessee Lookout reports. The agency reportedly notified Ogles of a litany of problems in the campaign’s report, including incorrect totals, information that deflates cash on hand, failure to disclose the identity of anyone contributing more than $200, failure to properly disclose the receipt of certain funds, and possible acceptance of a contribution that exceeds the amount allowed under federal law.

Dr. Michelle Fiscus is seeking a hearing to contest charges that led to her firing as medical director of Tennessee's Vaccine-Preventable Diseases and Immunization Program last year, the Times Free Press reports. Detractors had argued that during the COVID-19 pandemic she was allowing some children to get vaccinated without parental consent. 

A long-stalled judicial security measure has been added to a 4,000-plus page annual defense bill that cleared the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday, Reuters reports. The Senate still must approve the final bill negotiated by both chambers. The language is designed to protect judges' security and privacy by shielding their personal information online. Under the proposal, current and former federal judges can demand that their personal information be removed from public-facing websites. The measure has the backing of the U.S. Judicial Conference, which oversees federal courts and has called for its passage as part of broader efforts to secure courts, Roll Call reports.

The Tennessee Supreme Court yesterday dismissed a reinstatement petition without prejudice from Jody Rodenborn Troutman, who was suspended from the practice of law on Feb. 3. Troutman was suspended for four years, with one year to be served on active suspension and three years on probation. The court reports that it dismissed the petition because it was filed prematurely.

Louisiana lawyer Darlene Gail Rebowe was reinstated to the practice of law in Tennessee on Dec. 5. She had been on inactive status since Nov. 14, 2017. The Board of Professional Responsibility reviewed Rebowe’s petition for reinstatement and found it to be satisfactory. The court issued the order today.

The Knoxville Bar Association (KBA) Barristers today announced that Eighth Judicial District Criminal Court Judge Zachary Walden will take office as president of the group after being elected on Dec. 7. Other officers named for the young lawyer group include Vice President Charles S.J. Sharett and Secretary/Treasurer Jimmy Snodgrass. New board members are Matt Knable and Isaac Westling. The Barristers also presented President’s Awards to Mariel Bough and Grant Williamson, co-chairs of the Diversity Committee.

The Knoxville Bar Association (KBA) held its Annual Meeting this morning with the passing of the presidential gavel from Jason H. Long to Loretta G. Cravens, announcement of other officers and the presentation of awards. Cravens, an attorney with Cravens Legal, announced that she would focus on servant leadership, civility in public discourse and equipping members to serve their clients. Other officers elected were President-elect Carlos A. Yunsan, Treasurer Jonathan D. Cooper and Secretary Rachel Park Hurt. The KBA's highest award, the Governors' Award, was presented to Elizabeth B. Ford, while the Judicial Excellence Award was presented to Judge Steven W. Sword. Other award recipients were Brooklyn Sawyers Belk, who received the President’s Award and John E. Eldridge, who received the Outstanding Writing Award. Read more in a release from the association.

A number of lawyers have been reinstated after being suspended for non-payment of various fees. Included in the group are 14 suspended in 2022, six in 2021, one in 2013 and two in 2011, who had not paid their annual BPR fee. One was reinstated after paying the inactive fee for 2013. See all suspensions and reinstatements for administrative violations. The TBA has data going back to 2005.

The Washington County Bar Association will hold its annual social event at the Johnson City Country Club on Dec. 17 at 6 p.m. EST. Hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be provided. Drinks will be available at a cash bar. Tickets are $40 per person and may be purchased via Venmo @WashingtonCounty-BarAssoc or by check sent to Washington County Bar Association, P.O. Box 3272, Johnson City, TN 37602.