The U.S. House of Representatives today in a 310-118 vote passed the annual defense spending bill and reauthorized Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act for an additional four months, Courthouse News Service reports. That program allows intelligence agencies to conduct surveillance on foreign nationals who use U.S. communications systems. Opponents of the program argue that it allows intelligence agencies to conduct surveillance activities without a search warrant and that it has been used to target American citizens and residents.

The Tennessee Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection met today to consider claims from clients alleging financial loss due to the illegal actions of their lawyers. The fund approved one claim against Davidson County attorney David Dwayne Harris in the amount of $1,500. It also directed Harris to reimburse the fund for the expense. The Fund for Client Protection was established by the Tennessee Supreme Court to reimburse individuals for losses caused by dishonest conduct by attorneys. The fund is operated by a board, which meets quarterly to consider claims. In September 2022, the Tennessee Supreme Court amended Rule 25 to require the fund to notify the Tennessee Bar Association of claims paid. News releases also are posted online.

An audit released Monday by the Tennessee Comptroller has found that from 2021 to 2023, Tennessee’s Department of Labor and Workforce Development failed to comply with federal standards for prompt payout of unemployment insurance claims. The Tennessean also reports that payments continue to be delayed significantly. State residents who lose their job through no fault of their own may be eligible for up to $275 per week in unemployment benefits for up to 26 weeks in a year. Federal law requires states to pay unemployment benefits promptly to eligible residents.

The U.S. Supreme Court today again declined to block an Illinois state ban on assault-style rifles and large capacity magazines that was enacted after a 2022 deadly mass shooting in Chicago's Highland Park suburb. The court rejected a renewed request by a firearms retailer and national gun rights group to halt implementation of the law while an appeal continues, Reuters reports. The justices' action leaves the law in place pending the appeal of a lower court's decision brought by the National Association for Gun Rights and Robert Bevis and his firearms store. No justice publicly dissented from the decision.

The Nashville Bar Association (NBA) is seeking an executive director to provide leadership and direction to the organization. The executive director serves as the chief executive of the association and is responsible for day-to-day administration and management. The position also serves as the executive director of the Nashville Bar Foundation (NBF) and works with its board of trustees. Read more about the position.

President Joe Biden yesterday approved an expedited federal disaster declaration for areas in Tennessee affected by the Dec. 9 tornado outbreak, reports WKRN. The declaration will make recovery assistance available to four counties hit by the storms: Davidson, Dickson, Montgomery and Sumner. The disaster declaration includes FEMA’s Individual Assistance (IA) Program, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and Direct Federal Assistance. Individuals in the declared counties can apply now for direct assistance through the FEMA IA program online at any time or by phone at 1-800-621-3362 between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. Multilingual operators are available.

State Rep. Sam Whitson, R-Franklin, announced today he will not seek reelection, reports the Tennessean. Whitson's decision will leave the House District 65 seat open in 2024. In his announcement, Whitson noted several highlights of his legislative career, including fulfilling a campaign promise to complete the southwest Mack Hatcher Parkway, securing funding for Fairview High School and passing the Katie Becket Waiver Program to aid families caring for children with severe disabilities. Whitson says he will continue to focus on Williamson County issues during his final months in office.

Memphis Mayor-elect Paul Young announced today that Police Chief Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis will remain as head of the Memphis Police Department (MPD) in the new mayoral administration, Daily Memphian reports. Davis was appointed police director in April 2021 by Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland. She is the first woman to hold the position since it was created in the early 1970s, and the first MPD leader to come from outside the ranks of the department in 40 years. Davis faced heavy criticism in the aftermath of the death of Tyre Nichols in January 2022.

The Memphis Bar Association (MBA) held its annual meeting Dec. 7. During the event, three awards were presented. Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland received the Judge Jerome Turner Lawyer’s Lawyer Award, which recognizes a Memphis attorney who has practiced law for more than 15 years and embodies professionalism, civility and courtesy. Action News 5 has more on that award. Danielle Woods received the Sam Myar Jr. Memorial Award, which honors an attorney under 40 years old who has shown dedication and commitment to their practice and the legal community. Finally, David Cook received the W.J. Michael Cody Access to Justice Award. He also was honored earlier this year with the TBA's Harris Gilbert Pro Bono Attorney of the Year. See photos from the MBA event. 

Earn all of your ethics hours before the Dec. 31 deadline with the TBA's Ultimate Ethics CLE Package, which offers up to eight hours of dual credit. Sessions include our popular Ethics Homeshow, updates from the Board of Professional Responsibility and ethics violations in the movies. Also check out our Attorney Wellness Package for five dual CLE hours. Topics include coping skills, setting work boundaries and mindfullness. All of TBA's CLE packages are quick, convenient and approved. Sign up today! Check out our other packages or choose from more than 200 on-demand programs.