Gov. Bill Lee is proposing a statewide fund to help fill gaps left by cuts to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). On Thursday, the Tennessee Senate approved $100 million for the “Governor’s Response and Recovery Fund,” along with ongoing funding to establish a four-person staff. According to Chattanooga Times Free Press, the fund would assist smaller communities that have difficulty qualifying for federal disaster declarations. The Senate approved SB2232 by a vote of 29-1. Sen. Jeff Yarbro, D-Nashville, said the state is right to plan ahead but cautioned that $100 million, though significant in a tightening budget, could be quickly depleted if FEMA reduces funding. Sen. Ken Yager, R-Kingston, a sponsor of the bill, said the revamped fund would provide a pathway for local governments and individuals to seek state assistance when federal aid is unavailable or insufficient.

The TBA Intellectual Property Section will host the next installment of its webcast series on April 1 from noon to 1 p.m. CDT. The session will focus on post-grant patent strategies in light of new U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) rules and trends. The program will examine recent procedural updates, including director-centric institution decisions and efforts to curb parallel validity challenges, and will evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of various post-grant proceedings. The webcast will be presented by Rhett Sexton of Merchant & Gould in Knoxville. For more information and to register, visit the TBA website.

Volunteers are needed for an expungement clinic on March 14 from 9 a.m. to noon CDT at Greenhouse Ministries located at 307 Academy St., Murfreesboro 37130. The TBA Young Lawyers Division (YLD) will be collaborating with Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands to hold the event. To volunteer contact YLD District Representative Alyssa Fox. View a flyer for the event.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant of the Western District of Tennessee has announced the recent hiring and assignment of five new assistant U.S. attorneys. They are Jennifer Collins, Meghan Fowler, Raven Icaza, Gavin Smith and Irris Williams. He also announced one new special assistant U.S. attorney, Darrius Samples, and two new support staff positions in his office. “With the dramatic increase in our case filings since October, these new positions are much needed, and a welcome addition to our outstanding staff who effectively represents the United States, enforces the rule of law, and protects public safety in West Tennessee every day,” Dunavant said. Read more about the new hires in a press release.

The Tennessee Supreme Court on Feb. 25 suspended 15 attorneys for failure to pay the annual registration fee, eight of whom also failed to file proof that client funds are held in an IOLTA-compliant account. View the fee suspension order and IOLTA suspension order. Lawyers reinstated in the last month include six in 2026, two in 2025 and one in 2024. Access all administrative suspensions dating back to 2005.

Memphis attorney and TBA YLD President-elect Jennifer Sneed-Perry has announced the members of the 2026-2027 YLD Board who will take office at the TBA Convention in June. Joining her in leadership will be President-elect Darius Walker Jr., Vice President Zack Walden, Secretary Patrick Morrison, Treasurer Ashley Tipton, East Tennessee Governor Samantha Ellis, Middle Tennessee Governor Alix Rogers, West Tennessee Governor Faith Watson, Immediate Past President Alex McVeagh, and Past Presidents Sean Aiello and Billy Leslie. Sneed-Perry also announced those who will serve as district representatives and committee chairs. See the full list of members. During her year in office, Sneed-Perry plans to focus on educating attorneys on estate planning through continuing education and pro bono clinics across the state. She will expand the YLD's commitment to serving law students by appointing six law student liaisons to the YLD Board. Finally, she announced three vacancies that still need to be filled. Those interested in being considered as the district representative for the 2nd, 10th or 12th district should email a statement of interest and a resume to Laura Labenberg by April 1. Learn more about the openings.

TBA’s Legislative Updates podcast is new this week with attorneys and TBA lobbyists Berkley Schwarz of Pier Strategies LLC and Brad Lampley and Ashley Harbin of Adams & Reese. This week's episode covers adoption bill SB2165/HB2350, probate bill SB2184/HB2451 and family law bill SB2324/HB2429. Tune in to the podcast on the TBA website or through this link. Attorneys may also support the TBA’s lobbying efforts by contributing to LAWPAC.

The Tennessee Supreme Court on Feb. 27 suspended Davidson County lawyer Michael Lloyd Freeman from the practice of law for six years with four years to be served on active suspension and the remaining two years to be served on probation. Additionally, Freeman must obtain an evaluation by the Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program (TLAP), pay restitution and  engage a practice monitor. A hearing panel found that during the representation of multiple clients, Freeman acted outside the scope of representation, acted in a way that was prejudicial to the administration of justice, and failed to protect client funds, communicate with clients, and act competently and diligently. These actions were found to violate Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1, 1.15, 1.16, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 3.2, 3.4 and 8.4.

Memphis-based FedEx has filed a lawsuit seeking refunds of fees it paid under the Trump administration's emergency tariffs. The move comes after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the administration exceeded its authority in imposing the tariffs. That decision opens the door to potential refunds on more than $175 billion in tariff collections, prompting expectations of widespread litigation from companies seeking repayment. FedEx is pursuing a full refund of the duties it paid, though the lower courts must still determine how the recovery process will be implemented. Experts say consumers are unlikely to qualify without detailed documentation. Reuters has the story.

Gov. Bill Lee on Wednesday announced the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (DCS) will join the Trump administration’s “A Home for Every Child” initiative, a national effort led by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families (ACF) to expand the number of foster families and improve outcomes for children. DCS will partner with ACF and the Children’s Bureau to support improvement work connected to the federal Child and Family Services Review (CFSR) process. Tennessee’s participation will focus on outcomes-driven goals to expand the number of licensed foster homes, retain current foster families, support kinship caregivers, strengthen prevention services, and improve visibility into capacity and outcomes through more timely data and reporting. Read more in a press release.