A bipartisan group in Congress is working to permanently restore the U.S. Department of Justice's Office for Access to Justice, Law360 reports. The office, which was closed in 2018, coordinates policy initiatives in areas such as criminal indigent defense and civil legal aid. The “Office for Access to Justice Establishment Act” was introduced yesterday in the U.S. House of Representatives, and a Senate companion bill is expected. The move follows the Biden administration’s directive to DOJ to devise a plan to expand access-to-justice functions.

Nashville celebrated the renaming of Fifth Avenue as Rep. John Lewis Way last weekend with several events, including a march down the newly renamed street to the Ryman Auditorium, where a celebration of life service was held marking the one-year anniversary of Lewis' death. Former Vice President Al Gore was among those who praised Lewis for his work as a civil rights trailblazer, the Tennessean reports. New signage was unveiled over the weekend on the street that was the site of lunch counter sit-ins in the early days of the Civil Rights movement, WSMV reports. Lewis took part in many of the sit-ins, and in 1961, represented the Nashville protestors as one of the 13 original “Freedom Riders.” 

The House of Representatives Appropriations Committee has approved $600 million for the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) in FY 2022. The amount is equal to the Biden administration’s request and $135 million more than LSC’s current appropriation. If the funding survives the legislative process it would be the largest single increase in LSC history. When the administration requested the funding in June, it was the largest amount ever requested, but it fell short of the $1 billion the LSC asked the administration to request.

The Memphis law firm of Shea Moskovitz & McGhee has changed its name to Moskovitz, McGhee, Brown, Cohen & Moore. The change reflects the retirement of co-founding partner Wanda Shea and recognition for the firm’s longest serving lawyers: Aubrey Brown, Adam Cohen and Zachary Moore. Brown handles divorce, family law and estate planning matters. Cohen has dedicated his practice exclusively to domestic relations and family law. Moore handles family law and juvenile court matters.

Baker Donelson shareholder and past TBA president George T. "Buck" Lewis has been appointed as a special advisor to the American Bar Association (ABA) Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service. Lewis served as chair of the committee from 2016 to 2019. He is also a past chair of the Tennessee Supreme Court Access to Justice Commission, and has been honored for his access to justice work by the Tennessee Alliance for Legal Service and National Association of Pro Bono Professionals.

The U.S District Court in Chattanooga has announced a portrait unveiling and reception for retired U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Marcia Phillips Parsons on Sept. 17 at 3 p.m. EDT. Judge Parsons retired in September 2020. More details coming soon.

Jefferson County has received approval from the E Filing Steering Committee to become an e-file county. New e-filing local rules are now available for both the circuit court and general sessions civil courts. Pursuant to Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 18, the rules also have been submitted to the Administrative Office of the Courts. The rules will be available in paper form at the office and posted on the court’s website.

Dr. Kristen Jennings Black with the Department of Psychology at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga recently conducted a work life survey of legal professionals working in Tennessee. She has now released a summary of her findings. The study found that high workload, interruptions and work-family conflict were the most common sources of stress for the group. It also found that a higher frequency of these stressors correlated with higher reports of burnout and physical and psychological health symptoms. Respondents reported moderate levels of recovery outside of work through relaxation and challenging hobbies, but high levels of “relaxation remorse.” And the ability to detach psychologically from work received a low ranking. Black’s recommendation? Consider intentional strategies for quality recovery time outside of work to reduce the effects of work-related stress.

The Disability Law Section will hold a one-hour webcast Thursday at 2:30 p.m. CDT to review the Social Security Administration's updated musculoskeletal listings. The live program will feature Stacy Cloyd, director of policy & administrative advocacy with the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives, who will review the listing and walk attendees through the nuanced changes. Cloyd will also answer questions from attendees.

The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee will hold an investiture ceremony on Aug. 20 at 2 p.m. EDT to install Charles E. Atchley Jr. as a judge on the court. The ceremony will take place in the third floor courtroom of the Joel Solomon U.S. Courthouse Federal Building, 900 Georgia Ave., Chattanooga 37402. Please RSVP by Aug. 6 online or by calling 865-329-4780. A reception will follow the ceremony at The Read House, 107 W. M.L.K. Blvd., 37402.