Tennessee family law attorney Anne Hamer has released a new book “Fearless Freedom, A Divorced Lawyer’s Guide to Divorce.” As a seasoned divorce attorney who has navigated the legal complexities and emotional turbulence of divorce both professionally and personally, Hamer says she wrote the book as a guide for readers to embrace change, face the challenges of divorce with courage and resilience, and achieve empowerment in their lives. Hamer currently practices law in Memphis and Nashville. She graduated from University of Tennessee at Knoxville and the New York University School of Law in 1996. Read more in a release. Contact Hamer at 901-818-8600, 615-723-5650 or through her website.

Knoxville lawyer and former TBA President Tasha Blakney has been named the next executive director of the Knoxville Bar Association (KBA), the association announced today. She will join the KBA as its full-time director in mid-January, following the retirement of long-time director Marsha Watson, who served in the role for more than 30 years. Blakney has practiced law in Knoxville since graduating from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1999. She is a co-founding member of the law firm of Eldridge & Blakney PC, where she has practiced as a litigator for more than 20 years. She has served as president of the KBA and in leadership positions with other local, state and national bar associations. She was TBA’s 143rd president from 2022 to 2023 and currently serves on the TBA Board of Governors as immediate past president. Blakney said she looks “forward to continuing the KBA’s long legacy of service to the bar and the community.” Read more in a release from the group.

The White House recently sent a supplemental funding request to Congress that includes $21 million in disaster relief funds for the Legal Services Corporation (LSC). The agency reports this is the first time that such funding has been included in a disaster relief request. Following natural disasters, the LSC works with state partners to provide resources and information vital for communities to respond and recover. Among its initiatives, the agency hosts a Disaster Task Force and recently launched a new website designed to provide real-time disaster risk assessments, details on recent disasters, recovery guidance, connections to local aid organizations and comprehensive information for each disaster type. The group also recently featured a conversation about the role civil legal aid plays in recovery efforts in its podcast “Talk Justice.”

The Memphis Lawyers’ Chapter of the Federalist Society will hold a virtual event on Nov. 29 from noon to 1 p.m. CST featuring Christopher J. Walker of the University of Michigan Law School. Walker will discuss the current state and future of the U.S. Supreme Court’s “Chevron Doctrine.” Those interested in attending may register online or contact Greg Grisham, 901-333-2076.

Earlier this week, Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti joined 25 other state attorneys general in sending a letter to Congress requesting the passage of H.R. 1337, the Immigration Enforcement Partnership Act of 2023. If signed into law, the bill would grant state attorneys general the authority to enforce certain federal immigration laws. Read more about the issue or read the letter.

The YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee will hold its next “Stand Against Injustice” webinar on Nov. 29 from noon to 1 p.m. CST. This month’s installment of the monthly series will focus on the state’s decision not to accept federal funds for health care. Panelists will discuss statistics related to maternal mortality, hospital closures and medical bankruptcies. Learn more or register online.

Four of the 15 largest law firms in Nashville are vying to represent the newly reinstated airport board, Nashville Business Journal reports. They are: Adams and Reese LLP; Butler Snow; Gullett Sanford Robinson & Martin PLLC; and Neal & Harwell PLC. The board was set to meet today and consider the bids. While the board’s bylaws provide for a general counsel, members have argued they need outside counsel following the state’s attempt to appoint its own members to oversee the Nashville International Airport and the smaller John C. Tune Airport. Read more about the firms seeking to fill the role.

The Ethical Campaign is back for 2023 as a live virtual program on Dec. 6. This advanced level program for state and local lawmakers, judges, candidates for executive, judicial or legislative positions, and campaign chairs, treasurers and counsel will include all aspects of the law and ethics of election for office. Topics include the ethical issues involved in compliance with election law provisions, compliance with campaign finance practices, conformity with the “Comprehensive Governmental Ethics Reform Act,” and an analysis of the provisions of the Code of Judicial Conduct and Rules of Professional Conduct touching on elections. Make plans to join in online from 1-4:15 p.m. CST.

New lawyers were sworn in this week by the Tennessee Supreme Court at the Memphis City Hall and by Justice Roger Page at the Jackson Supreme Court Building. TBA Young Lawyers Division members were on hand to welcome the new lawyers and answers questions about the TBA. See photos from the Memphis and Jackson ceremonies.

A Middle Tennessee lawyer is facing charges after police say she allegedly destroyed evidence for a client, reports the Tennessean. Sumner County criminal defense lawyer Jocelyn Mims was indicted by a grand jury Wednesday after Hendersonville Police said Mims found and then deleted pornographic images of children from her client's cell phone. Mims, who was being held at the Sumner County jail Friday on an $80,000 bond has been charged with tampering with evidence, making false reports to an officer and intentionally failing to report child sex abuse. Mims was previously disbarred after she pleaded guilty in November 2008 to one count of conspiracy and one count of criminal attempt to introduce drugs into a penal facility.