The Knoxville Bar Association's Bankruptcy Section, in partnership with Legal Aid of East Tennessee (LAET) and with the support and involvement of U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Suzanne H. Bauknight, will hold a Debt Relief Clinic to provide pro bono legal services to income-eligible consumer debtors. LAET staff will screen potential clients and give instructions to complete a questionnaire and bring it along with tax returns and pay stubs to the clinic. The clinic will be held on Aug. 26 from 9 a.m.-noon EDT, in person at the Knox County Public Defender's Community Law Office, 1101 Liberty Street, Knoxville 37919.

Multiple sources, including the Associated Press, are reporting that former President Donald Trump has been indicted on 37 counts of mishandling classified documents. The indictment was unsealed today by the Department of Justice. The charges include counts of retaining classified information, obstructing justice and making false statements, among other crimes. According to the indictment, “The classified documents Trump stored in his boxes included information regarding defense and weapons capabilities of both the United States and foreign countries; United States nuclear programs; potential vulnerabilities of the United States and its allies to military attack; and plans for possible retaliation in response to a foreign attack.” 

A new report from the Boyd Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Tennessee and the Tennessee Second Look Commission finds that child abuse costs the state between $3 and $5 billion each year. That cost is mostly covered by Tennessee taxpayers in increased healthcare costs, special education services, child welfare, juvenile justice and other publicly funded programs for survivors. The Tennessee Lookout reports that Kylie Graves, director of the Tennessee Second Look Commission, says she “hopes the startling figures the report has produced will bolster arguments for increased investments in a broad range of public supports and interventions that include, but go beyond, the $1.35 billion budget for the Department of Children’s Services.”

Next week's TBA Annual Convention in Knoxville will feature a two-part panel discussion on how to improve your own wellbeing and the impact of mentoring on group wellbeing. This CLE is a joint presentation by the TBA Young Lawyer's Division, the TBA Attorney Well Being Committee and the TBA Mentoring Committee. The program will feature a panel of judges and attorneys who will candidly discuss the challenges of managing wellbeing in the legal field both on an individual level and a group level. If you can't make it to the full convention you can still sign up here for this program.

The ownership of the writings of Audrey Hale, who killed three adults and three children at Nashville’s Covenant School in April, will soon be transferred to the families at the school, the Tennessean reports. David Raybin, attorney for Hale's parents, made the announcement during court proceedings in a lawsuit seeking the release of the writings, which transferred to Hale’s parents after Hale’s death. The physical papers will remain in the custody of the Metro Nashville Police Department. Raybin said transferring ownership of the records to the parents solidifies their standing to intervene in several lawsuits seeking the release of the writings.

Shelby County lawyer Robert Harris Golder was suspended from the practice of law today for two years with three months being an active suspension pursuant to Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Section 12.2, and the remainder served on probation conditioned upon engagement of a practice monitor, payment of Board costs, and payment of restitution. The disciplinary action involved three separate complaints. The hearing panel found the Golder's conduct violated Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1 (competence), 1.3 (diligence), 1.4 (communication), 1.15 (safekeeping funds and property), 3.2 (expediting litigation), 3.4 (c) (fairness to opposing party and counsel) and 8.4(a) (misconduct). Golder must comply with the requirements of Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Sections 28 and 30.4, regarding the obligations and responsibilities of suspended attorneys and the procedure for reinstatement.

Pre-Registration for next weeks's TBA Convention in Knoxville will close on Monday at 8 a.m. CDT. In-person registration will be accepted at the convention. Visit the TBA Convention site for more information.

The Legal Aid Society will host a free legal clinic for Davidson County residents on Saturday at McHugh Clinic, 2005 12th South Nashville 37204, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. CDT. The clinic will offer help on civil legal issues, such as Family Law, Consumer Law, Debt Collections, Power of Attorney, Employment Law, Health Law, Public Benefits, Housing, Probate/Estate, Wills, and Bankruptcy. For more information, visit the Legal Aid Society or call 800-238-1443.

U.S. law firm Barber Ranen has changed its name, the firm announced Wednesday, after the publication of racist, antisemitic, homophobic and violently misogynistic emails written by founding partners John Barber and Jeffrey Ranen, reported Reuters. The emails were written while they were employed by their previous firm, Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith. In May, Barber and Ranen led an exodus of 140 lawyers from their former firm. Barber and Ranen resigned from the new firm on Monday.

The Tennessee Bar Association recognizes members are always looking for ways to improve their financial standing. That’s why the TBA partnered with SoFi, a leader in financial education, student loans, and more. SoFi is hosting a webinar specifically for Tennessee Bar members to learn about their SoFi benefits. During the webinar, SoFi’s Kellie Barker will be covering topics such as: how to use the tools, resources, and products available at SoFi.com/TBA; options for managing your debt and how to receive an exclusive 0.250% rate discount if you’re looking to refinance your student loans; and updates on the current student loan landscape. Contact SoFi’s support team at 833-277-7634 or your-benefits@sofi.com to learn more.