Legal Aid of Middle Tennessee & the Cumberlands will hold its McHugh Legal Help Clinic at the Belmont Ministry Center, 2005 12th Ave. S. (the former home of the Bass Street Baptist Church) from 8:30 to 11 a.m. on Saturday. For more information call 615-244-6610.

This year's Entertainment & Sports Law Forum will focus on the industry's vision for 2020 and beyond. Speakers will address some of the most cutting-edge legal issues in music, entertainment and sports, including the increasing use of artificial intelligence, the role of influencers and attorney well being in a society addicted to being "busy." A networking reception will follow the program.

New research from Cornell University shows just how powerful nature can be for mental and physical health. From protection from chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease and obesity, to improved mental health, the benefits of spending time outdoors are so great doctors are now prescribing visits to nature for their patients. And recent studies are providing guidance on how often we need to be getting outdoors to reap these benefits. A review of the university’s studies was recently published in Frontiers in Psychology. An article in Eating Well recaps the findings. Bottom line: just 10-50 minutes sitting or walking in natural spaces can do wonders for our mental and physical health.

The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) has hired Ron Flagg as its interim president. He succeeds Jim Sandman, who took on the role of president emeritus in February. Flagg has been with LSC for seven years as general counsel, vice president for legal affairs and corporate secretary. Before joining the agency, he was a partner at Sidley Austin for 27 years and spent 10 of those years chairing the firm’s pro bono committee. He also served as president of the District of Columbia Bar in 2010-2011 and currently chairs the bar’s pro bono task force. The LSC will begin a nationwide search for a permanent president in April. The agency also recently announced it that has submitted a $652.6 million budget request to Congress for FY 2021, $593 million more than last year’s request. More than 95% of the funds would go to legal aid organizations around the country. The Trump administration’s budget proposal calls for defunding the LSC and designates $18.2 million to close the agency.

State Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III issued guidance today on how to recognize and report scams that emerge around the conducting of the U.S. Census. Slatery reports that notices are going out from the U.S. Census Bureau with detailed information on how to respond online, by phone or by mail if you suspect a scam. He also reminds residents that the Census Bureau does not send unsolicited emails; ask for Social Security, bank account or credit card numbers; ask for money or donations; or contact people on behalf of a political party. Each home should receive their census by April 1. Census takers will begin visiting those who have not responded in May. Those with questions about the identity of a census worker, should contact their Regional Census Center or call 800-923-8282.

Former Memphis assistant U.S. attorney Barbara Zoccola was sentenced to a year on probation during a hearing in the Jackson Branch of the Western District of Tennessee. She had earlier pleaded guilty to theft in federal court, the Daily Memphian reports, and had agreed to resign her post and pay $10,000 in restitution. She entered the plea for falsely reporting work time and failing to report leave time.

The Tennessee Supreme Court today suspended Robert L. Booker from the practice of law for three years. The court found that Booker, while representing a seller of a music collection, concealed the identity of the purchaser from his client; withheld communications from his client; engaged in a conflict of interest; and sent inappropriate communications to the client. In a separate matter, Booker failed to disclose previous discipline from multiple states in his application for admission to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas and engaged in improper billing practices. His actions violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.4, 1.7(a), 1.16, 8.1(a) and 8.4(a) and (c).

The Tennessee Supreme Court today suspended James Austin Dukes from the practice of law until further notice. The court took the action after Dukes was found guilty of theft of $25,000 or more, theft of assets of the aged and exploitation of the infirm in the state of Louisiana. The court referred the matter to the Board of Professional Responsibility to determine the extent of final discipline to be imposed.

The Tennessee Supreme Court today suspended Knox County lawyer Mark Steven Graham from the practice of law after finding that he misappropriated funds and poses a threat of substantial harm to the public. He is immediately precluded from accepting any new cases, and he must cease representing existing clients by April 10.

A toll-free legal assistance hotline is now available to support survivors of recent tornadoes in Middle Tennessee. Low-income individuals facing legal issues as a result of the tornadoes may call 1-844-HELP4TN (1-844-435-7486). Callers should identify that they are seeking tornado-related legal assistance, state their county of residence, and provide a phone number where they can be reached by an attorney. Survivors also can ask legal questions through the Tennessee Free Legal Answers online service, and get information about their rights, available resources, and a list of upcoming legal clinics at www.HELP4TN.org. The toll-free hotline is a partnership between the Tennessee Bar Association, Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services, American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, Nashville Bar Association, Napier-Looby Bar Association, Upper Cumberland Young Lawyers Association, 15th Judicial District Bar Association, Legal Aid of Middle Tennessee & the Cumberlands and Volunteer Lawyers & Professionals for the Arts. Read more in this press release.

Volunteers are needed to provide legal information, advice, and representation to those affected by the recent storms. Attorneys interested in volunteering should complete this online form.