Knox County Law Director David Buuck yesterday told two county school board members that he will not hire private attorneys to fight a federal judge’s mask rule that was put in place last fall, the Knoxville News Sentinel reports. Board members Betsy Henderson and Kristi Kristy had written to Buuck last week, asking him to hire outside counsel to challenge the mandate. But, in his letter responding to their request, Buuck was direct in saying that he won't hire private attorneys to help the district lift a mask requirement in schools; that even if he did, it wouldn't be helpful; and that the two can't act on behalf of the board. Federal Judge Ronnie Greer last year ordered a mask mandate be put in place for Knox County schools while a lawsuit filed by families of students with disabilities against the governor and the Knox County Board of Education played out. In December, the school board’s request to pause the temporary mask requirement was denied by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit.

The Tennessee Bar Association has been honored with the Tennessee Society of Association Executives (TNSAE) Excellence Award in Continuing Education for the 2021 Scaling Small Program. Scaling Small Law, a comprehensive business education and development program, was chosen for the award based on its “incredible contributions to the association community across Tennessee,” according to TNSAE. The four-month program offers training in business planning, marketing, solo/small firm finance and budgeting, client service and experience, ethical considerations and outsourcing and leveraging technology. It is designed for entrepreneurial lawyers, solo practitioners or newly formed solo/small firms looking to strategically and sustainably scale and modernize their law practice.

Circuit Court Judge J. Eddie Lauderback, Criminal Court Judge Lisa N. Rice and Criminal Court Judge Stacy L. Street, all serving the state’s First Judicial District, are all seeking reelection. Lauterback has served in Part I of the district’s circuit court since 2015 when he was appointed by former Gov. Bill Haslam. Rice was elected criminal court judge, Part I, in 2014. Street was appointed to the criminal court by Haslam in 2013. According to a joint statement from the judges, all say they are proud to serve the citizens of the First Judicial District, which covers Carter, Johnson, Unicoi and Washington counties, and “wholeheartedly endorse” their fellow judges.

Free legal services are available via the Disaster Legal Services (DLS) program for those affected by the line of tornadoes that hit counties in Middle and West Tennessee in December. DLS helps individuals in federally declared disaster areas receive free legal assistance related to insurance claims, consumer and housing issues, government benefits, replacement of important documents and other issues. Services include a legal helpline 844-HELP4TN (844-435-7486) operated by Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services (TALS). Individuals and households in the 12 Tennessee counties designated under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Major Disaster Declaration are eligible to apply for financial and direct services. Lawyers from across the state are invited to complete this online form to volunteer with DLS. West Tennessee Legal Services (WTLS) will host a clinic for storm survivors on March 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. Volunteer attorneys will meet with clients via video conference and will receive case information prior to the event. Contact WTLS Pro Bono Coordinator Andy Cole for more information. DLS is a partnership between TBA, TALS, FEMA, WTLS, the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, Nashville Bar Association and Tennessee Fair Housing Council. 

The second week of the Law Tech 2022 series continues on Thursday with two sessions and two chances to win tech prizes. Tech Tools for Attorney Well-Being will begin at 10 a.m. CST and include a discussion on what well-being means for attorneys, how technology can (and can't) assist in improving well-being and application options. One lucky registrant at this session will win a pair of AirPods Pro. The afternoon session, Practical Tips to Mitigate Cyber Risk for You, Your Firm and Clients, starts at 1 p.m. CST. It provide an overview of the common cyber attack methods actors employ to compromise private or sensitive information and how attorneys can mitigate cyber risk through personal and corporate security measures. Registrants for that session will be entered to win a Kindle Paperwhite. This year’s Law Tech CLE is being offered virtually with six sessions over three days. The series will wrap up on Feb. 24. Find all Law Tech 2022 courses here.

TBA President Sherie Edwards was selected as one of three honorable mentions for the National Conference of Bar Presidents' 2022 President’s Page Award. The group recognized Edwards’ column “Destigmatizing Mental Illness Takes Courage,” which was published in the November/December 2021 issue of the Tennessee Bar Journal. The award was announced at the conference’s virtual mid-year meeting last Thursday. The group says the column will be shared in an upcoming issue of its e-newsletter and on its website.

The Tennessee Supreme Court has appointed Nashville lawyer John L. Farringer IV to serve as the next chair of the Access to Justice Commission. He will replace Knoxville lawyer J. William “Bill” Coley, and will serve a two-year term beginning on April 1. Farringer has served on the commission since 2018, and is a member of Sherrard, Roe, Voigt & Harbison. Last month, the court named four new members to the commission: Sara E. Barnett, Adolpho A. Birch III, Lindsay Frilling and Kendra Mansur. The Administrative Office of the Courts has more on each appointee’s background.

Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Sharon G. Lee will speak to the League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge tomorrow from noon to 1 p.m. EST, according to the Administrative Office of the Courts. Lee will present the compelling stories of five American soldiers captured and held as prisoners of war by the Germans in World War II. The virtual event is open to the public. For instruction on linking to the live presentation contact maryannreeves1@att.net. The presentation also will be available on the league’s website a few days after the event. Lee’s personal history — her father was a WWII POW— led to her interest in prisoners of war and how their experiences shaped their lives after release. 

Deborah Enix-Ross, president-elect of the American Bar Association, is accepting nominations from those who are interested in filling positions on ABA standing and special committees, commissions and other entities. Apply by Friday to be considered. An ABA presidential appointment requires membership in the association and a desire to contribute to the group’s work. For more information or to discuss the process please contact Appointments Committee Chair Michelle Behnke, 608-233-9024 or Vice-Chair Stephen Younger, 646-927-5565. For questions regarding the online application, contact Katy Englehart with the ABA. Interested individuals may also contact TBA members Jonathan Cole and John Tarpley, who have been active in recruiting Tennessee lawyers to serve in the ABA.

Knox County lawyer Grace Ingrid Gardiner was reinstated to the practice of law today. She had been suspended in August 2021 for three years, with four months to be served on active suspension and the remainder on probation. Gardiner filed a petition for reinstatement, which the Tennessee Supreme Court deemed satisfactory so long as she complies with the terms and conditions of her probation. Under the court’s order, Gardiner must not practice law in any bankruptcy court until she engages a practice monitor who will review basic bankruptcy procedures and submit monthly written progress reports to the Board of Professional Responsibility. She also must not incur any new complaints of misconduct related to the conduct that led to her suspension.