Knoxville attorney Robert Lee Vogel died Saturday (June 4), according to the Knoxville Bar Association. He was 56. Vogel graduated from Rutgers Law School and was licensed in Tennessee in 2004. The family will receive friends this evening from 5-7 p.m. at Berry Highland West Funeral Home, 9913 Sherrill Blvd. in Knoxville. A memorial service will follow at 7 p.m.

Belmont University College of Law was granted full American Bar Association accreditation on June 4. The College of Law, which enrolled its first class in Fall 2011, achieved full accreditation in the earliest possible timeframe and represents the first fully accredited law school in Tennessee in more than 50 years. “We have built a first-class law school with a focus on practical skills and the ethics and professionalism expected of all lawyers,” said Belmont Law Dean Alberto Gonzales.

In an attempt to “extinguish a blazing political fire,” Nashville Councilman Bob Mendes has prepared two amendments that seek to remove $40 million from Mayor Megan Barry’s proposed $475 million budget regarding funding for reconstruction of the downtown Criminal Justice Center and the sheriff’s office. The Tennessean reports one amendment would remove $20 million requested by the mayor to to improve jail facilities on Harding Place, where inmates will be housed as the Criminal Justice Center is renovated into a new jail facility. Barry and Sheriff Daron Hall filed a joint statement urging the council to approve the $40 million request. 

Nashville attorney Gerald “Gerry” D. Neenan died Monday (June 6) at the age of 62. Neenan, a graduate of Vanderbilt University Law School, was a member at Neal & Harwell PLC. A visitation is planned for Thursday, 6 - 8 p.m., and Friday, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Woodlawn Roesch-Patton Funeral Home, 660 Thompson Ln. in Nashville. A memorial service will follow Friday’s visitation. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Salvation Army of the Nashville area, the Brain Aneurysm Foundation or the charity of your choice. Friends may share condolences online. 

The Rutherford County Commission is set to decide next week if the county will pursue an ouster suit against Sheriff Robert Arnold, who announced that he will not resign despite being indicted on federal fraud charges. The commission voted last night to meet with the county attorney’s firm to discuss the suit. An ouster vote would then take place next week in a public meeting, the Daily News Journal reports. 

U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., today filed legislation that would nullify the new federal overtime rule that allows full-time salaried employees to qualify for overtime if they make up to $47,476 a year. Alexander argued the change – set to take effect later this year – would reduce work hours and inhibit flexible work schedules. The Knoxville News Sentinel reports U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, joined Alexander in the filing. 

The Tennessean reports that two male gay rights activist filed a lawsuit today in Anderson County Chancery Court challenging the state’s new law that permits counselors to deny service based on their personal principles. The pair, one of whom is an Anderson County resident, claim the new law violates the right to equal treatment guaranteed by the Tennessee Constitution. 

The Murfreesboro office of the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands will reopen its doors next week after relocating for a year due to a fire. The office, located at 526 North Walnut St., will host a reception on June 14 from 3-5 p.m. to thank the community for its support. While insurance paid for some of the reconstruction costs, Legal Aid Society must still cover a number of expenses associated with the office’s reconstruction. Donations can be mailed to Legal Aid Society’s Nashville office at 300 Deaderick St., Nashville, TN, 37201.

To an owner a pet may be priceless, but yesterday the Georgia state Supreme Court was tasked with determining just how much a pet is worth. The case involved a couple suing an Atlanta-based kennel following the death of their dog. The court unanimously decided an owner whose pet is hurt or dies due to negligence may seek more than its fair market value plus medical costs, the Associated Press reports. But Chief Justice Hugh Thompson noted owners cannot seek damages based on the sentimental value of an animal to its owner.

The TBA will offer seven hours of dual CLE credit at its Summer CLE Blast on July 20. Take as many or as few hours as you need at the event from 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Tennessee Bar Center in Nashville. Preregistration is not required and payment will be determined at checkout based on hours completed.