Longtime Chattanooga lawyer and former Chattanooga Bar Association president Gregg Michael "Mike" Luhowiak died March 5 at 73. A graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Law, Luhowiak practiced law in Chattanooga with Spears, Moore, Rebman & Williams. He was a member of the Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel, a fellow of the Tennessee Bar Foundation, and recipient of the Brock-Cooper American Inns of Court Civility Award. He also received the Chattanooga Bar’s John M. Higgason Courage Award and Harry Weill Zealous Practice of Law Award, and was named a Chattanooga Bar Foundation Fellow. A celebration of life will be held tomorrow at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, 630 Mississippi Ave., Signal Mountain 37377. The family will receive guests at 1 p.m., with the service to follow at 2:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the church.

The Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association (TTLA) and Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein have created the “Trial Lawyers’ Community Relief Fund” through The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee to assist tornado victims. TTLA President Matt Hardin, who grew up in hard-hit Putnam County, said Tennesseans “always pull together and help our neighbors in difficult times.” Mark Chalos, TTLA vice president and managing partner of Lieff Cabraser’s Nashville office said, “As trial lawyers, we have dedicated our careers to helping our neighbors in times of need. This fund will enable us to get relief quickly to those Tennesseans who need it the most.” Contributions to the fund can be made online or mailed to The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, P.O. Box 440225, Nashville, TN 37244. Please note the name of the fund in the memo line. Read more in a press release from the groups.

Tennessee Bar Association members who have not yet reset their password for the new TBA website should have received a reminder email this afternoon. Please follow the instructions for creating a new login name and password. The TBA’s new website and database will help members better connect with each other, manage their accounts from a personalized dashboard and experience the full benefit of TBA membership. Learn about these new features or take a virtual tour. Questions, comments and suggestions are welcome, so please call 615-383-7421 or email membership@tnbar.org with your thoughts.

The Tennessee Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims reported today that its Nashville office is now open and because of the closure last week will be handling settlement approvals from 8 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3:30 p.m. each day this week. No need to call or schedule. Just show up! The office in Cookeville is also open but has no Internet or phone service. All previously-scheduled settlement approvals and telephone hearings will proceed. For questions, contact Patsy Bumbalough, 615-848-6743, in the Murfreesboro office.

The Tennessee Supreme Court today suspended North Carolina lawyer Jake Preston Evans from the practice of law for failure to respond to the Board of Professional Responsibility regarding a disciplinary complaint. Supreme Court Rule 9 provides for immediate temporary suspension in these cases. Evans must immediately stop accepting any new cases and must cease representing existing clients by April 9.

The Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee & the Cumberlands will hold its monthly legal help clinic at the Gallatin Civic Center tomorrow from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The center is located at 210 Albert Gallatin Ave., Gallatin 37066. The clinic is staffed by the Sumner County Bar Association but residents from all Middle Tennessee counties are welcome.

The TBA’s International Law Forum will take place March 27 at the Tennessee Bar Center. The program provides resources for Tennessee lawyers practicing in all aspects of international law, with a particular focus on international business. Knowledgeable and experienced presenters will provide important and timely information around key topics such as cross border taxation, dangers of distribution and foreign investment. Join your colleagues to earn five credit hours (including one hour of ethics credit) and stay for a networking reception at the end of the program!

Attorneys who are interested in helping handle disaster-related legal questions are asked to register at www.tba.org/tornado_volunteers. To help lawyers prepare to volunteer, the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee & the Cumberlands has created this online resource. Disaster victims also can find resources on the site and may seek legal assistance at any of the Legal Aid Society's 14 legal clinics planned throughout the month in Davidson and Putnam counties.

Jane Allen, the founder of Counsel on Call and the new head of the Nashville Entrepreneur Center, has spent her legal career working to “change the rules for a new generation of lawyers,” the Tennessean reports. In a profile published last week, the paper looks at Allen’s journey from hard-charging attorney to working mom to change agent, giving attorneys an alternative way to work within the legal profession. After selling a majority interest in Counsel on Call, Allen took some time off and pursued some creative outlets. She sees her new job at the Entrepreneur Center as a way to give back.

Republican state Sen. Dolores Gresham of Somerville will not seek re-election this year, the Nashville Post reports. Gresham, who also serves as chair of the Senate Education Committee, has managed several of Gov. Bill Lee’s legislative initiatives, including an education savings account proposal and an anti-abortion bill. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Gresham first served in the state House before being elected to the Senate in 2008.