The panel considering if Tennessee should walk away from federal education funding for K-12 schools has set its meeting schedule for November. The Federal Education Funding Working Group will meet Nov. 6, 7, 8, 14 and 15. Panel co-chair Sen. Jon Lundberg, R-Bristol, tells Chalkbeat that, "There is no predetermined outcome for this working group, or for what the information we gather is going to show. We want to look at what federal education money we get, where it goes, what we're required to do to get those funds, and ultimately what's the return on the investment."

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti issued a statement yesterday condemning the Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel. He joined with attorneys general from 25 other states in expressing outrage over the attack and support for Israel as it defends itself. Earlier in the week, Skrmetti announced that 19 other states joined Tennessee in submitting a comment to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) opposing a rule related to the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA). The PWFA was passed by a bipartisan coalition of Congress to protect the rights of pregnant workers and their babies, requiring workplace accommodations for “pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions." The comment opposes the rule due to the inclusion of "abortion-accommodations" language.

Knox County lawyer Christopher Shawn Roberts was temporarily suspended from the practice of law on Oct. 13. The Tennessee Supreme Court took the action after finding that Roberts failed to substantially comply with his Tennessee Lawyer Assistance Program. Roberts is immediately precluded from accepting any new cases and must cease representing existing clients by Nov. 12. The court also issued an order allowing documents in the case to be filed under seal.

Lawyers gathered in downtown Chattanooga today for the TBA Young Lawyers Division’s Civil Rights Walking Tour CLE. Sites toured by the group included the historic third floor courtroom in the Joel W. Solomon Federal Courthouse, the Abby Crawford Milton Suffrage statue, the Ed Johnson Memorial and the site of civil rights protests at the former Woolworth Store on Market Street. The event concluded with a discussion of the future of civil rights law. Speakers included Judge Curtis Collier, former TBA President Sam Elliott, Immediate Past YLD President Brittany Faith, and Chattanooga lawyers Michael Jones, Donna Mikel and YLD Board member Claire Tuley. Last spring, the YLD held its first Civil Rights Walking Tour in Nashville. See photos from today's event.

Nashville lawyer Tusca R. S. Alexis has announced her candidacy for the Fourth Circuit Court in Nashville. Originally from the Caribbean, Alexis earned her law degree from Drake University and moved to Nashville in 1989. She previously served in the Davidson County Public Defender’s Office and worked for the Law Office of Luvell Glanton. She opened her own firm in 2010 and launched a mediation practice in 2015. In a news release, covered by the Tennessee Tribune, Alexis says she has represented hundreds of indigent and under-privileged individuals during her 33 years of practice.

The Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals has denied an appeal by Billy Ray Turner, who was convicted in the murder of former Memphis basketball star Lorenzen Wright, Local Memphis reports. The opinion affirms the trial court’s judgement in the case, which sentenced Turner to life plus 41-years. In his appeal, Turner claimed the trial court prevented him from impeaching a witness, allowed prosecutors to ask leading questions, and allowed a “speaking objection” by the state. He also claimed that Shelby County was not the proper venue for the trial and that there was insufficient evidence for a conviction.

Knoxville Municipal Judge John Rosson held a press conference this week for his reelection campaign in the city courtroom – a move that allegedly violates the Code of Judicial Conduct. Rosson said yesterday he was not aware of any such rule, saying he “should have done more research." Rosson’s opponent, Tyler Caviness, told WBIR that the situation is about the rules and fairness. "I am not the judge, I couldn't go and hold a press conference in the city courtroom,” he said.

Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, with offices in the Nashville suburbs, has rebranded as GRSM50, becoming the first law firm to add a “numerical identifier” to its name, the ABA Journal reports. According to the firm, the new moniker is meant to emphasize its presence in all 50 states. In a release announcing the name change, the firm says it is the “first and only full-service law firm” to open offices in all states.

The Covenant School shooter's manifesto still has not been released, but the Tennessee Court of Appeals is set to hear oral arguments on Monday regarding a lower court’s decision to allow Covenant church members, school staff and parents to intervene as they try to block the writings from being released publicly. Individuals connected to the school argue that release of the writings would traumatize families and children. The National Police Association is seeking all records, emails, texts and communication about the shooter from the Metro Police Department, WCYB reports.

The State Building Commission has approved funding for selecting a designer and construction manager for renovations at the structures currently housing the Tennessee Supreme Court and former state library, the Nashville Post reports. Department of General Services Commissioner Christi Branscom told the commission that with the opening of a new state library, there is an opportunity to combine the two structures “to house more administrative offices of the court’s divisions.” Branscom said the project will preserve the historic elements of both buildings while providing a more modern and functional space. The plan includes additional office space and parking and an evaluation for a secure access corridor between the buildings.