The TBA Young Lawyers Division (YLD) is sponsoring a webcast on Nov. 21 beginning at noon CST titled "What Attorneys Must Know About Secondary and Vicarious Trauma." A panel of speakers will explore how exposure to the traumatic experiences of clients can affect lawyers' mental health and overall well-being. Panelists also will share ways attorneys can safeguard their mental health and support colleagues. Speakers include S. Chris Troutt, CEO of the Papillon Center; psychotherapist and behavioral health executive Lindsey O'Connell; and clinical psychologist Dr. Brynda Quinn. YLD member Patrick Morrison will moderate the discussion. 

Last weekend the TBA Young Lawyers Division (YLD) hosted a wills clinic with the Williamson County Bar Association. Nineteen first responders from the Franklin Police Department were assisted by 10 attorney volunteers and five nonattorney volunteers. Special thanks to TBA YLD District 11 representative Charles Ferguson for organizing the clinic. See a photo from this event.

The Tennessee Supreme Court has notified Florida lawyer Katherine Kemp that she needs to complete outstanding obligations with the Tennessee Commission on Continuing Legal Education (CLE) before her petition for reinstatement will be considered. The court gave her until Dec. 23 to complete the requirements or indicated it would dismiss the petition. Kemp filed for reinstatement on Oct. 25.

The Department of Children's Services (DCS) is requesting $6 million to expand its contract with Youth Villages, whose “Intercept” program brings intensive three-day-per-week services into the homes of families in crisis to address problems that include parental substance abuse, kids in trouble at school and child neglect, reports the Tennessee Lookout. That is an increase of $189 million over last year's budget. DCS says it will use $6 million of the total to expand the program to families in rural Tennessee counties, saying those areas experience the highest rates of children being removed from their families. The additional funds in the request include $8 million for privately-contracted social workers, $41 million for residential care for kids with medical and psychiatric needs and $1.5 million for nurses.

The Tennessee Trial Court Vacancy Commission met in Sevierville to select nominees for a circuit court judge in the 4th Judicial District, which includes Cocke, Grainger, Jefferson and Sevier counties. After holding a public hearing and conducting public interviews, the commission voted to recommend Dandridge lawyer Jeremy D. Ball, Rutledge lawyer S. Lane Wolfenbarger and Knoxville lawyer Luke A. Shipley to Gov. Bill Lee for his consideration. Read more about the candidates from the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts.

The Nashville chapter of the American Constitution Society (ACS) will host its annual U.S. Supreme Court Preview on Nov. 18 from noon to 1 p.m. CDT at Bass Berry & Sims. Elizabeth B. Wydra, president of the Constitutional Accountability Center, will be the featured speaker. During her tenure, Wydra has filed more than 200 briefs with the Supreme Court, including those on behalf of constitutional scholars and historians, state and local governments, groups such as the League of Women Voters and AARP, and members of Congress. Get more information or register for the event.

Mike Fletcher, Memphis' deputy chief legal officer, will retire at the end of 2024, reports the Daily Memphian. Fletcher has been in his position since 2017 and has represented the city in court and other legal matters for a total of 33 years, both in private practice and from City Hall. Odell Horton Jr. has been appointed to fill the vacancy. Horton most recently served as general counsel for Memphis Shelby County Schools. He previously worked as vice president and general counsel for Memphis Light, Gas and Water, and was vice chancellor for university relations at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.

Vanderbilt University quarterback Diego Pavia has filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee against the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA). The suit claims rules that count junior college years toward NCAA eligibility are an antitrust violation, and that he should have at least one more year of eligibility in 2025 — and potentially two. Pavia, who played two years at New Mexico Military Institute before moving on to New Mexico State for two years and then Vanderbilt this year, argues in the complaint that the rule restricts the name, image and likeness (NIL) earning ability of college athletes. The Associated Press has the story.

The Tennessee Supreme Court has extended a limited disaster plan for all the trial courts in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Judicial Districts following severe flooding that occurred in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Deadlines for filings, statutes of limitation and certain court orders that were extended through Nov. 12 are now extended through Dec. 25. Read the full order.

Nashville lawyer John Edward Anderson Sr. died Oct. 29 at age 63. He graduated from the University of Tennessee and received his law degree from Washington and Lee University School of Law. Anderson later served as a member of the University of Tennessee (UT) Board of Governors and the Davidson County UT Alumni Association Board of Directors. Anderson practiced law with the Nashville firm of Dickinson Wright. Visitation will be held at St. Henry Catholic Church, 6401 Harding Pk., Nashville 37205, on Nov. 15 from 9-11 a.m. CST, followed by a funeral mass at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association or a charity of the donor's choice.