ABC News 24 reports that Gov. Bill Lee made an emergency declaration to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Lewis, Macon, McNairy, Rutherford, Tipton and Wayne counties for debris removal and emergency protective measures related to the March 31 and April 1 tornado and severe weather response. If that request is granted, FEMA will also provide direct aid to eligible Tennessee residents in the requested counties for disaster-related costs and expenses. 

The Knoxville Bar Association and the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, in partnership with Legal Aid of East Tennessee (LAET) will host a debt relief legal advice clinic for pre-screened individuals on May 13, beginning at 8:45 a.m. at the Public Defender’s Community Law Office, 1101 Liberty St., Knoxville 37919. The advice clinic will be available to qualified individuals in Knox, Blount, Loudon and Sevier counties. Attorneys will volunteer to conduct initial meetings with the clients to discuss their situations and options. Qualification for the free services will be income-based, with pre-screening by LAET. The clinic clients may also be eligible for free bankruptcy services. Individuals who live in the counties listed above may sign up by contacting the LAET at (865) 637-0484. Clients must register by May 5.

The Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) has confirmed at least 15 weather-related deaths after last weekend’s storms in five counties: McNairy, Shelby, Roane, Tipton and Henry. The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) also estimates that more than 260 homes were damaged, and according to the National Weather Service, tornadoes touched down in Covington and Adamsville and Lewis County. Shelters are open in Readyville, Covington and Waynesboro, according to Action News 5. Gov. Bill Lee has not requested a federal disaster declaration but those in need of legal assistance can call the Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services’ helpline at 1-844-HELP4TN. Attorneys interested in volunteering to help storm victims can sign up here. Also be sure to check out the TBA’s disaster resources webpage for more ways to help.

The Tennessee Supreme Court Access to Justice Commission has kicked off its annual Help4TNMonth celebration, which will feature expungement and general civil legal advice clinics throughout April. Help4TNMonth, celebrated each April, highlights the need for free and reduced fee legal services in Tennessee and spotlights organizations that provide these services throughout the year. Check out next month’s calendar of events, submit an event to be added or sign up to volunteer at clinic.

Memphis Area Legal Services (MALS) will hold three legal clinics in April. The “Attorney of the Day Clinic” will take place April 6 and 20 from 1-3 p.m. CDT at the Shelby County Courthouse, 140 Adams Ave., Room 134, Memphis 38103. The monthly clinic at the Benjamin Hooks Library will take place April 8 beginning at 10 a.m. The library is located at 3030 Poplar Ave., Memphis 38111. For both clinics, clients will be served on a first come, first served basis. For questions or to volunteer contact Heather Staggs or Walter Casey. See all clinics planned through the end of the year.

West Tennessee Legal Services (WTLS), Tennessee Department of Labor and the Tennessee Supreme Court Access to Justice Commission will host an expungement clinic in Madison County on April 6. All attorney work will be completed virtually prior to the event. Attorney volunteers will be needed April 3-5. All applicants will be prescreened for expungement eligibility and WTLS will provide forms to completed via phone. WTLS is also available to answer any questions related to the clinic. Volunteers can register here.

The Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands will hold two clinics this week. On Wednesday, the group will hold a veterans clinic from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Operation Stand Down, 1125 12th Ave. S., Nashville 37203. On Saturday, a general advice clinic will be held from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Belmont University, 2005 12th Ave. S., Nashville 37204. All times central. To volunteer for these clinics, contact Kendra Cheek, 615-780-7131. See all March clinics.

The TBA Young Lawyers Division hosted its signature — and award winning — debt clinic virtually on March 2. The clinic was open to clients in Middle and East Tennessee. Chief U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Shelley Rucker kicked off the clinic with a presentation to clients about bankruptcy, and then seven volunteer attorneys and 14 students from Belmont Law and Nashville School of Law met with clients in breakout rooms for counsel and advice. The clinic was held in collaboration with Belmont University College of Law, Federal Bar Association, Chattanooga Bar Association, Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services, Legal Aid of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands and Legal Aid of East Tennessee.

The Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands will hold a free low-income legal help clinic next Tuesday in Gallatin. The clinic will run from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. CDT at the Gallatin Civic Center, 210 Albert Gallatin Ave. To volunteer for a clinic, contact Kendra Cheek, 615-780-7131. Get more details and see all March clinics.

The free legal advice clinic for nonprofits and Black-owned small businesses, originally planned for March 16, has been rescheduled to March 23. The clinic is sponsored by the Nashville Arts & Business Council's Volunteer Lawyers and Professionals for the Arts and the law firm of Bradley Arant Boult Cummings. Clients should sign up online by March 20. Email vlpa@abcnashville.org to volunteer.