The U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals recently considered two cases: government-proposed net neutrality rules and alleged unfair labor practices by Starbucks. In the first case, a panel of three judges heard oral arguments about whether the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) had the authority to issue rules prohibiting internet service providers from blocking or slowing traffic from competitors or giving preferential treatment to certain customers. While industry groups argued that the “major questions doctrine” should limit the agency’s power, the government argued that the doctrine was properly applied. In the second case, the court heard from Starbucks Corp., which argued that the National Labor Relations Board erred when it ordered the company to pay “all direct or foreseeable pecuniary harms” stemming from it found to be the illegal firing of an employee. Bloomberg Law reports on both hearings.

The Knoxville Bar Association (KBA) will hold its annual Fall Memorial Service on Nov. 22 at 3 p.m. EST at the Tennessee Supreme Court Courtroom, 505 Main St., 2nd Floor, Knoxville 37902. The KBA notes that the event is intended to celebrate the careers of and honor, applaud and express gratitude for members who have died in the last year. Due to the number of losses this year, some recently deceased members will be honored at a ceremony in the spring. See the list of those to be honored in November and register to attend on the group's website.

A lawsuit against the National Museum of African American Music brought by former CEO Henry Hicks III — who departed the role in August 2023 — was dismissed last week after the parties reached a settlement out of court. Hicks’ suit, filed in August, alleged that the museum owed him $293,654 of $350,000 promised as part of a separation agreement. The agreement allegedly included assurances that Hicks would drop certain unspecified claims he had against the museum in exchange for the pay out. The Nashville Business Journal reports on the deal.

The Nashville Metro Council’s Public Health and Safety Committee held its final special meeting on domestic violence policy this week. Davidson County District Attorney Glenn Funk and Assistant District Attorney Christina Johnson, who leads that office’s domestic violence team, spoke, recommending several changes they said would improve Nashville’s response. Among their suggestions was sending a domestic violence professional or survivor advocate on calls with police, hiring someone specifically to work on gun dispossession, and changing state law to remove assaults between roommates from the domestic violence statute. Johnson said those cases do not include the sort of intimate partner violence the law was meant to address. Read more in the Nashville Banner’s newsletter.

Stuart Teicher, the CLE Performer, is back with three new sessions. Join him on Nov. 7 for one, two or all three of these webcasts! From 9-10 a.m., Teicher will look at a host of grammar and punctuation rules that don’t make sense and are in some cases are not even rules in "Legal Writing Rules You SHOULD Be Breaking." From 10:15-11:15 a.m., Teicher will connect the cast of "Friends" to a number of ethics rules in "Friends ... An Ethical Sitcom?" To wrap up the series, Teicher will look at the worst criminals in history and the ethics lessons they teach us. "From Bonnie and Clyde to Bernie Madoff: What the Biggest Thieves in History Teach About Attorney Ethics" will run from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. All times in central time zone.

Tennessee’s CLE compliance deadline is just two months away. Are the CLE Scaries starting to haunt you? If so, the TBA has you covered. Terrifying highlights include: new live webcasts such as Legal Writing Rules You SHOULD Be Breaking, Friends … An Ethical Sitcom and Essential Presentation Skills for Attorneys; 1-Click packages from your favorite forums by practice area or by hour; new topics including corporate counsel, litigation, business law and estate planning; and 250 on-demand programs, including 40+ ethics titles. New videos are being added weekly and TBA Members enjoy free CLE and exclusive discounts. Check out the full calendar of upcoming events. Not a member yet? Join here.

The TBA is adding to its grassroots advocacy resources with a new primer on indigent representation, which will provide updated information on the role and importance of appointed counsel in our justice system. Topics will explore basics and real-world questions about Tennessee's system, as well as examples and innovations from other jurisdictions. These resources and more can be accessed on the TBA's Indigent Representation Resources page and will be shared across TBA's communications platforms. Those who would like to receive policy and advocacy updates by email, can sign up here.

Sharon J. Bell, retired Knox County chancellor, died Oct. 27 at the age of 80. Bell earned her law degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law and served in the Tennessee House of Representatives from 1978 to 1982 before becoming a judge on the Knox County General Sessions Court, where she served for four years. In 1986, she was elected as the first woman chancellor in the state of Tennessee. She retired from the bench in 2006. Throughout her career, Bell handled a range of cases, including adoptions and family law. She also dealt with high-profile issues, such as a dispute over public records held by the Knox County Sheriff’s Office and the role of the county law director in relation to the school board. Read more about Bell’s life in an article from News 10. Memorial services will be held at Rose Funeral & Cremation – Mann, 6200 Kingston Pike, Knoxville 37919 on Nov. 2 at 2 p.m. EDT with visitation from 1 to 2 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to the Humane Society of Tennessee Valley, P.O. Box 51723 Knoxville, TN 37950.

The Nashville office of Thompson Burton recently hosted a reception to honor Stephanie Williams being sworn in as a 20th Judicial District Circuit Court judge on Sept. 1. The event was held at the firm's West End location. Attorneys and staff from the Franklin office also attended. See photos from the event from the Nashville Post.

McDonald’s was sued on Tuesday by consumers in a proposed class action following an E.coli outbreak linked to onions in the fast-food chain's Quarter Pounders, Reuters reports. Plaintiffs Amanda McCray of Illinois and William Michael Kraft of Florida said they experienced symptoms associated with E.coli infection after buying Quarter Pounders this month, and would not have purchased the burgers had they known of the risk. They are hoping to represent any U.S. consumer who purchased a contaminated hamburger. The lawsuit comes after at least four people sickened in the outbreak filed individual lawsuits in both state and federal courts, court records show. Last week, McDonald's halted Quarter Pounder sales in one-fifth of its 14,000 U.S. restaurants after the outbreak killed at least one person and sickened 75 people.