Volunteers are needed to provide legal information, advice and representation to those affected by the recent Middle Tennessee tornado. Attorneys interested in volunteering to assist those affected by Monday’s tornado should complete this form: Volunteer for Tennessee Disaster Legal Response.

Pro bono opportunities include in-person legal clinics, answering questions posted to TN Free Legal Answers and taking individual cases. In addition to legal clinics and community education events, it is anticipated that there will be a great need to refer individual cases for representation. LAS recently launched its Pro Bono Matters website, which allows attorneys to look through a list of brief case descriptions and get more information or volunteer for individual cases. WPLN has a list of upcoming clinics and more.

Among the groups partnering to respond to the disaster are the Tennessee Bar Association, Nashville and Napier-Looby Bar Associations, Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services (TALS), Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee & the Cumberlands (LAS), Tennessee Fair Housing Counsel, American Bar Association and others.

This week on the Legislative Updates podcast, TBA Director of Public Policy and Government Affairs Berkley Schwarz and Adams and Reese attorney and TBA lobbyist Brad Lampley check in on the progress of TBA-sponsored bills, including legislation from our Business Law (SB1990/HB1886), Real Estate (SB1989/HB1885) and Adoption Law (SB1769/HB1676) sections. Legislative Updates is part of the TBA Podcast Network and can be found on the TBA’s website and anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors  (JFON) will hold its monthly Legal Clinic on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1:00pm at Hillcrest United Methodist Church, 5112 Raywood Lane, Nashville, 37211. JFON provides affordable, high-quality immigration legal services to immigrants, educates the public and faith-based communities about issues related to immigration and advocates for immigrant rights. Immigration lawyers interested in volunteering should contact JFON Legal Director Bethany Jackson.

West Tennessee Legal Services will hold its “Military Monday” legal clinic on Monday from 9 to 11 a.m. The event will take place at Starbucks, 2034 N. Highland Ave., Jackson 38305. The clinic provides general civil legal advice for U.S. veterans, military members and their families. For more information, call 800-372-8346.

The TBA’s Immigration Law Winter Forum will provide updates and trending issues in immigration and an overview of the many procedural and policy changes that have taken place during the last few years. Attendees will earn 4.5 hours of CLE. Catch this program on March 9 from 9 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. at the Tennessee Bar Center in Nashville. Find more information and get registered here. 

The American Bar Association campaign to advance well-being in the legal profession — aimed at both legal employers and individual lawyers — continues to grow. Since its launch in 2018, 160 legal employers have pledged to improve lawyer wellness. In addition, the ABA Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs is working to reduce lawyers’ reluctance to step forward to address mental health and substance-use disorders through an awareness initiative that features the personal recovery stories of lawyers, judges and law students. Check out the “Speaking Out to End Stigma” resources online.

Nashville-based Schaffer Law Firm has announced it is now fully focused on hospitality and food and beverage industry legal work, the Nashville Post reports. According to the firm, it is making the pivot “to meet the growing statewide demand for legal services.” The firm previously focused on a general practice involving various businesses and nonprofit organizations. It now will help hospitality industry clients with corporate formation, owner contracts, trademarks, permits and alcohol licenses. 

The Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee & the Cumberlands will hold its Mercy Legal Help Clinic tomorrow from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 908 Murfreesboro Rd., Franklin 37064. Get details online.

Judicial candidates across the state competed in party primaries on Tuesday, many earning victories that ensure their election since they lack general election competition. The Administrative Office of the Courts offers a broad roundup. In Davidson County, Criminal Court Judge Jennifer Smith won re-appointment to her seat in Tuesday’s election, defeating challenger Tillman Payne III, and Chancery Court Judge Patricia Moskal was elected to serve her first full term after completing the remaining term of retired Chancellor Claudia Bonnyman, the Tennessean reports in its election roundup. In Knox County, Criminal Court Judge Kyle Hixson prevailed over Wesley Stone. In the primary contest for public defender, Republican Eric Lutton prevailed over Rhonda Lee, while Republican David Buuck prevailed over Cathy Quist Shanks in the primary for Knox County Law Director. Knoxnews has more on all races. And in Shelby County, Paul Boyd won the Republican primary for General Sessions Court Clerk, while Joe Brown prevailed in the Democratic primary.

The Citizen Tribune in Morristown features this month’s Tennessee Bar Journal cover story as a timely look at the legal issues of dealing with a pandemic. The piece, written by retired Newport attorney William O. Shults, examines the use of mandatory isolation and quarantines and how such measures affect personal liberty and constitutional rights. In case you missed it, read “Tennessee Law in the Time of Pandemic Disease” here.