In a new blog post, Tennessee Court of Workers' Compensation Claims Judge Dale Tipps provides a basic overview of the procedures for filing settlements with the court. He reminds attorneys that the process varies from office to office due to differences in staffing and facilities and the personal preferences of the judges, but highlights four requirements that apply in all locations. Tipps also reviews form SD-2 and provides examples of frequently made mistakes. Learn more in his post.

Francis M. "Trey" Hamilton III, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Tennessee, announced last week that the office collected $21 million in criminal and civil actions in 2022. The office also announced that working with partner agencies, it collected $8.3 million in asset forfeiture actions. U.S. attorneys are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the United States. Under federal law, funds are deposited in the Justice Department’s Crime Victims Fund and then distributed to federal and state governments to pay restitution to crime victims. Forfeited assets are deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund and then used to compensate crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes. Chattanoogan.com has the story.

The TBA’s Mentoring Program is seeking volunteers to mentor law students and newer attorneys across the state. This is a flexible program designed by the mentor and mentee based on their schedules and availabilities. The TBA offers a range of resources to guide conversations and assist in the mentoring relationship. To become a mentor, please fill out this online application or contact Young Lawyers Division & Law Student Development Coordinator Laura Labenberg, 615-277-3217.

Following news that Florida-based Holland & Knight and Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis will merge operations, the firms are providing more details about their plans. According to the Nashville Business Journal, the firms began talking in February 2022, on the recommendation of people at the firms who knew each other through membership in an international business organization. Following productive conversations, the 69 equity partners at Waller voted unanimously to move forward. Once the merger is complete — by April, according to the firms — Waller Chair Matt Burnstein will become executive partner of Holland & Knight's Nashville office. In addition, he will join the firm's Directors Committee, its highest policy-making body. Waller's administrative staff and related professionals also will make the move to Holland & Knight. In a separate piece today, the news source looks at how the merger will affect Waller’s Birmingham office.

Nelson Mullins Riley and Scarborough has named Geoffrey Vickers the managing partner of its Nashville office. He took office Jan. 1 and replaces Larry Papel, who had served as managing partner since the opening of the Nashville office in April 2012. Vickers co-chairs the firm’s Technology, Outsourcing, Procurement and Privacy Team and focuses his practice on business and technology issues and complex sourcing and managed services arrangements. Read more in a release from the firm.

Kevin G. Ritz, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, has appointed four assistant U.S. attorneys for the district. They are Jermal Blanchard, Courtney Lewis, Mary Morris and Bryce Phillips. All four will work in the Memphis office. Blanchard and Phillips join the office from the Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office, where they were prosecutors. Lewis comes from the U.S. Navy, where she was a judge advocate for 16 years and a military judge. Morris joins the office from the University of Memphis School of Law, where she was a professor for several years. Read more about the new hires in a release.

A Knoxville family who sought to ban gum-chewing and eating in their daughter’s classes can proceed with an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) lawsuit, Knox News reports. The suit had been languishing in the appeals process after a federal judge ruled it was not properly filed. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit found that the complaint was properly filed and sent the case back to the district court. “Jane Doe” suffers from misophonia, a rare disorder characterized by an extreme reaction — similar to a panic attack — to hearing sounds such as chewing. The family has since moved the girl to another school. The attorney for the family said they will amend the suit to seek reimbursement for the costs associated with that move.

President Joe Biden announced yesterday that immigrants from Cuba, Nicaragua, Haiti and Venezuela will be expelled to Mexico if they enter the U.S. illegally, effective immediately. At the same time, he offered humanitarian parole for up to 30,000 people a month from those four countries if they apply online, pay for their airfare and find a financial sponsor. “Do not, do not just show up at the border,” Biden said as he announced the changes. “Stay where you are and apply legally from there.” Biden made the announcement just days before a planned visit to the southern border. The Tennessee Ledger has the story from the Associated Press.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee today announced the theme and schedule of events for the 2023 inaugural celebration. Lee will take the oath of office for his second term at a ceremony on Jan. 21 at 11 a.m. CST on Legislative Plaza in Nashville. The oath will be administered by Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Page. This year’s theme “Tennessee: Leading the Nation” was chosen to reflect the state’s role in “leading the nation as a guiding light for opportunity, security and freedom.” Other inaugural events include free tours of the state capitol and Tennessee State Museum, reception at the Wildhorse Saloon, a worship service at the Ryman Auditorium, and the first couple’s inaugural dinner and ball. Details for all events are available online.

The U.S. government today launched a website for victims of alleged fraud by FTX cryptocurrency exchange founder Sam Bankman-Fried, Reuters reportss. Federal prosecutors are seeking permission to use a website to notify victims, rather than contacting each individually. FTX could owe money to more than one million people, making it "impracticable" to contact each, the government says. While awaiting approval, the website went live with instructions for those who believe they may have been victims. Bankman-Fried has pleaded not guilty to eight counts of wire fraud and conspiracy.