Yelp Inc., the online business review site, filed a complaint yesterday in federal court seeking to stop Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton from suing the site over informing its users that crisis pregnancy centers do not provide abortions or referrals for abortions, reports Reuters. Paxton told the company last week that he intended to bring a lawsuit under Texas's unfair business practices law. The company said in the complaint that it posted the notices to prevent users from being misled by crisis pregnancy centers that deliberately targeted women seeking abortions. Yelp said in its filing that its notices are true, not misleading and are protected free speech under the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment. 

The American Bar Association (ABA) Section of Science & Technology Law will hold its 2023 Artificial Intelligence and Robotics National Institute at the Santa Clara University School of Law in Santa Clara, California, Oct. 9-10. The two-day institute will apprise those in the fields of law, technology, government, academics and business about the legal issues surrounding artificial intelligence and robotics. Programming includes sessions on the effects of AI/ChatGPT in regulation and standards, privacy and security in the workplace, climate solutions, entertainment, disinformation, health care and the practice of law. The event is free and open to the public. Visit the website for more information and read the conference agenda.

Two lawyers recently were reinstated to the practice of law in Tennessee after being on inactive status. They are: Rhea County lawyer Lee R. Thurman and Knox County lawyer Robert Thomas Weaver. Read about their specific cases in the Tennessee Supreme Court orders linked above.

Former Chancery Judge Ellen Hobbs Lyle along with attorneys D. Billye Sanders and Byron Trauger have been named as recipients of the 31st Annual Sage Awards. The awards will be presented Oct. 30 at the Sage Awards Ceremony & Fundraiser at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs, 700 Cool Springs Blvd., Franklin 37067. The event is sponsored by AgeWell Middle Tennessee, a nonprofit resource for older adults and family caregivers. The Sage Awards honor lifelong leaders who improve our communities and organizations that significantly impact the lives of older adults across the region.

The Council on Criminal Justice and Belmont University College of Law will hold a discussion on the final report of the Council’s Task Force on Long Sentences on Oct. 6 from 9 -10:30 a.m. CDT at the Belmont College of Law, 1901 15th Ave. S., Nashville 37212. Following discussion of the task force’s key findings and recommendations, local and national experts will discuss the implications for public safety and justice in Tennessee. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. and coffee and light refreshments will be served. RSVP here.

Nashville judge William Griffin IV died Sept. 22 at the age of 81. A Nashville native, Griffin attended Montgomery Bell Academy and received his undergraduate and law degrees from Vanderbilt University. He practiced law in Nashville for more than 30 years, followed by 12 years serving Davidson County as a juvenile court judge. A graveside service will be held Oct. 7 at noon CDT at Harpeth Hills Memory Gardens, 9090 TN-100, Nashville 37221. Following the service, a celebration of life will take place at Dalton's Grill, 7061 US-70S, Nashville 37221. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to Montgomery Bell Academy.

The White House announced Monday that a potential government shutdown starting Oct. 1 would likely cut off food assistance for seven million women and children, including 133,284 recipients in Tennessee, the Tennessean reports. Publicly funded agencies would close and four million federal employees would not be paid. In addition, a variety of veteran benefit services would be unavailable. If a shutdown occurs, active service members will remain at their posts but nearly half of the nation’s civilian workforce will be furloughed. Active-duty troops would not receive paychecks during their furlough, but would be repaid once the government reopens. Tennessee has over 2,348 active-duty military personnel.

Bar Buzz is back with a new episode featuring Linda Warren Seely, pro bono counsel for Butler Snow LLP, interviewed by TBA's Executive Director Sheree Wright. BarBuzz is a monthly show from the TBA Podcast Network that recaps legal happenings from across Tennessee, upcoming events at the bar, attorney shout outs and more. Check out the September episode and discover past shows in the Bar Buzz archive.

Join us Oct. 16 for a CLE webcast discussion on the emerging legal issues around firearms. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent Thomas Waggoner and Knoxville-based Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Jones will discuss issues associated with legal gun ownership in America and the federal regulation of firearms. Waggoner also will discuss the types of cases ATF investigates. For the second portion of the webcast, Louisville attorneys Jason Todd Hardin and J. Allen Cobb will discuss their successful appeal at the Sixth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in blocking a nationwide prohibition on bump stocks. Visit the CLE page for more information and registration.

The YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee will hold its annual Stand Against Racism Community Rally tomorrow at Public Square Park in Nashville. The event will run from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. CDT. This year’s event will focus on the theme of “Votes Against Violence,” which will celebrate those working at the nexus of voting rights and gun violence prevention. Learn more at ywcanashville.com/STANDRALLY.