Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee yesterday sought a federal disaster declaration for damage in the Memphis area following an ice storm on Feb. 3, the Daily Memphian reports. The Memphis City Council had earlier approved a resolution urging Lee to seek such a declaration and U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Memphis, had called on the governor to make the request. Last month, Lee asked FEMA to assess damage from the storm, which resulted in downed trees and more than 100,000 homes and businesses going without electricity, some for more than a week.

A law firm's commitment to well-being and an attorney’s sense of control over their own work are the most important factors in whether they feel overwhelmed by job demands, according to a new survey from the Institute for Well-Being In Law. In fact, these elements can help ward off burnout. With a high turnover rate in associates (25% according to the 2022 State of the Legal Market Report), some firms are trying to pay their way out of the problem, says institute Vice President Anne Brafford. But that approach is not working, and in fact, the employers that did the best job of retaining people did not engage in the compensation war, she says. The takeaway for Brafford is that the actions of supervisors, and the structures a law firm builds to support those relationships, are the best mechanisms to avoid employee burnout. Law.com has more on the survey.

Robert J. Carter, district attorney general for Tennessee’s 17th Judicial District, has announced his plans to seek reelection to the position in the upcoming 2022 election, the Shelbyville Times-Gazette reports. The 17th District includes Bedford, Lincoln, Marshall and Moore counties. Carter has served in this current capacity since being appointed by Gov. Bill Haslam in 2012 and was reelected in 2014.

The new Tennessee Bar Journal is out today, featuring articles on landmark cases from Tennessee that impacted Americans' right to vote. On this 60th anniversary of Baker v. Carr and the 50th of Dunn v. Blumstein, learn about these important contributions from the Volunteer State. This March-April issue has an Access to Justice emphasis, looking at how technology innovations can help, a list of pro bono opportunities, an update from the Tennessee Supreme Court Access to Justice Commission, and the annual Public Service Award winners. And don't miss Justice Sharon Lee's article on e-filing in Tennessee courts!

Join a one-hour live, virtual CLE on Hot Topics in Tax Law on May 4. Current members of the executive committee will provide updates on the impact of current regulations, what to expect in the coming months and much more. Attendees will have an opportunity to join the panelists by submitting questions or topics. 

A University of Tennessee College of Law team has won the 2022 national Phi Alpha Delta Mock Trial Competition. The team, including first-year student Kyle Mangrum, and second-year students Alex Allen, Grady McGinnity and Tommy Zoccola, excelled in three preliminary rounds before advancing to the finals and winning out over 21 teams.  The annual competition, held in the Washington, D.C. area, draws law students from 28 schools throughout the country and is judged by volunteer lawyers and judges. 

In his final year as a state senator, Mike Bell is ready to get rid of Tennessee’s affirmative action program, saying he will bring legislation this week to eliminate it from state and local governments, Tennessee Lookout reports. Bell's Senate Bill 2440 and House Bill 2569, sponsored by Rep. John Ragan, R-Oak Ridge, prohibits the state from discriminating against or granting preferential treatment to an individual or group based on race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin for public employment, education or contracting.

The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee – Chattanooga Division is inviting high school and middle school students in 17 area counties to participate in its annual civics essay contest. This year’s topic is Brown v. Board of Commissioners of the City of Chattanooga, a federal lawsuit that alleged the Chattanooga city government was in violation of the Voting Rights Act. The Hamilton County Herald has the details.

22nd Judicial District Circuit Court Judge Stella Hargrove today announced she will retire in August. A lawyer since 1977, she was the first female prosecuting attorney in the 22nd judicial district, first female circuit court judge in the 22nd judicial district, and first female president of the Maury County Bar Association. “She inspires people, all of us, men and women, in what she’s had to overcome to become a circuit court judge,” said Judge Christopher Sockwell of the 22nd Judicial District Circuit Court. “You have to remember, when she first started in law school and became a lawyer, it was more of a man’s club. There weren’t that many women practicing and in positions of authority, and she not only did well, she thrived and overcame any obstacles that were put in front of her and eventually was elected circuit judge.” Read more from the Administrative Office of the Courts.

Gov. Bill Lee’s office on Monday said Tennessee does not have state investments with Russian companies after previously asking treasurer officials to investigate, according to the AP. Senate Speaker Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, introduced a resolution calling on the U.S. to limit Russian banking, expel Russian diplomats and ban Russian imports. Meanwhile, starting today, Tennessee’s Capitol will be lit with the blue and yellow colors of Ukraine’s flag.