A federal judge in New York has blocked the pending $8.5 billion merger of Tapestry — which owns the brands Coach, Kate Spade and Stuart Weitzman — and Capri, owner of the Jimmy Choo, Michael Kors and Versace brands. According to Reuters, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which sued to block the deal in April, argued the merger would eliminate fierce head-to-head competition between the top two U.S. handbag makers and create a massive company with the power to unfairly raise prices. The companies argued that "handbags are nonessential items whose price consumers can control by not buying them if they become too expensive," and that by consolidating the brands, they would have a stronger position in the competitive U.S. handbag industry as well as the European market.

A reception on Nov. 14 will benefit the Judge Dinkins Educational Center, a vocational program dedicated to providing career training and mentorship to adolescents who have been involved in the justice system. Named for the late Tennessee Court of Appeals Judge Richard H. Dinkins, the center aims to equip young people with the skills and guidance they need to build a brighter future. The event will take place beginning at 4:30 p.m. CST with a presentation at 4:45 p.m. at the Law Offices of Spencer Fane, 511 Union St., #1000, Nashville 37219. RSVP by Nov. 7 to Tim Forbes, 615-571-9667. View the invitation.

The Tennessee Supreme Court has asked the Board of Professional Responsibility to review the actions of Kentucky lawyer Darren Craig Lamb and take whatever action the board may deem warranted. In August, Lamb entered a plea of nolo contendere to the Class A misdemeanors of stalking, harassment and violation of a No Contact Order in the case of State of Tennessee v. Darren Craig Lamb. The Davidson County General Sessions Court judge who heard the case granted judicial diversion pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. §40-35-313.

Legal Aid of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, the TBA Young Lawyers Division and the Upper Cumberland Young Lawyers Association are partnering for a pro bono clinic on Nov. 14 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. CST. This walk-in clinic for general advice will take place during Overton County's Recovery Rally at the Joe L. Evins Community Center, 312 W. Broad St., Livingston 38570. View a flyer for the event. Contact Amber Vargas with any questions or to volunteer.

The Tennessee Supreme Court temporarily suspended Knox County lawyer Gary Lee Anderson from the practice of law after finding that he failed to respond to the Board of Professional Responsibility about a misconduct complaint. Anderson is immediately precluded from accepting any new cases and must cease representing existing clients by Nov. 28. The suspension will remain in effect until dissolution or modification by the court.

Shelby County Circuit Court Clerk Jamita Swearengen is requesting a 14% raise for her office staff from the Shelby County Board of Commissioners. Swearengen proposed that 6% of the raise be covered by the raise all county employees get in January while 8% would come from her own budget. The Daily Memphian reports that the commission deferred action on a plan to shift $215,693 in office revenues to pay the raises for 28 full-time employees and one temporary employee, and will discuss the matter further at its Nov. 13 committee sessions.

The Tennessee Supreme Court has transferred the law licenses of Gibson County lawyer Clifford Dwight Hawks and Knox County lawyer William Wright Petty to disability inactive status. Hawks and Petty may not practice law while on inactive status but may seek reinstatement by showing by clear and convincing evidence that the disability has been removed.

Legal Aid of East Tennessee and the Washington County Bar Association will hold a legal advice clinic in Washington County on Saturday from 9-11 a.m. EDT. The event will take place at Good Samaritan Ministries, 100 N. Roan St., Johnson City 37601. Contact Caitlin Torney with questions or to volunteer. Also on Saturday, the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands will hold a clinic at the Antioch Library Southeast Branch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. CDT. Prospective clients are encouraged to fill out an intake form in advance of the event. Attorneys can sign up to volunteer here. The library is located at 5260 Hickory Hollow Pkwy #201, Antioch 37013.

James Thomas “Tommy” Head, age 79 of Henrietta, died Oct. 19. Head was elected to represent District 68 in the Tennessee House of Representatives in 1986 and served for nine terms. Current House Minority Leader Karen Camper, D-Memphis, said, "During his 18 years of service in the Tennessee House of Representatives, Rep. Head was a solid steward of our state tax dollars through his service as vice chair of the Joint Fiscal Review Committee, chair of the House Budget Subcommittee and chair of the House Finance Ways and Means Committee. His exemplary service and dedication helped lay the foundation for Tennessee to be fiscally strong." Services were held Oct. 24. Memorial donations may be made to the Mt. Carmel Cemetery Fund, 425 Mt. Carmel Rd, Clarksville, TN 37043 or the Pat Summitt Foundation, 520 W. Summit Hill Drive, Ste. 1101, Knoxville, TN 37902.

The Tennessee Supreme Court has issued an order allowing out-of-state lawyers to temporarily offer their services, free of charge, to residents affected by severe flooding in East Tennessee. The order follows a joint request from the Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services (TALS) and Legal Aid of East Tennessee (LAET) asking the court to activate Rule 47 — which was first enacted in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina — to help those impacted by natural disasters. Lawyers who register may provide legal services in affected areas without seeking pro hac vice admission or paying an admission fee. Read more from the Administrative Office of the Courts. The state of North Carolina issued a similar order after Hurricane Helene, allowing Tennessee lawyers to provide pro bono services to storm survivors there.