FedEx pilots, represented by the Airline Pilots Association, and FedEx Express sat down for their first session with a federal mediator last week to assist in ongoing contract negotiations. The pilots and FedEx have been in negotiations for the past 18 months, “with pilots seeking adjustments to their pensions and other quality-of-life benefits.” The Commercial Appeal has the story.

State Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) last week introduced Senate Bill 3, which bans drag shows in public, reports The Hill. SB3 is one of the first bills filed for the 113th legislative session, which begins in January. LGBTQ+ events have recently been disrupted in both Memphis and Jackson, causing organizers to cancel or modify their plans abruptly, and some have raised concerns over the First Amendment rights of drag performers, according to the Jackson Sun.

The Chattanoogan reported Friday that the bridge at Exit 11 on Interstate 75 will be renamed in memory of the late Mike Carter, Hamilton County judge and state legislator. The dedication ceremony will take place Friday at 11:30 a.m. EST and will be led by State Rep. Greg Vital.

A 13-year-old resident of Hollis Academy, a facility for teens in state custody, is suing the facility and its parent company for neglect, stemming from an October 2021 incident. The Tennessean reports that a fight on the basketball court escalated quickly, and the youth cracked his head on the concrete while another resident punched him in the face and head. He was flown from the hospital in Waynesboro to Vanderbilt Medical Center because doctors feared his injuries could result in paralysis. The suit alleges that the staff knew the teen was in danger after being threatened by another resident and needed to be removed from the facility.

Those interested in running for an elected office in the Tennessee Bar Association or as a TBA Delegate in the American Bar Association have until Feb. 15 to qualify for the 2023 ballot. To qualify, candidates must file a nominating petition with the executive director of the TBA by emailing barED@tnbar.org, or via mail at 3310 West End Avenue, Suite 590, Nashville, 37203. Because of limitations brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, scanned signatures can be collected and submitted electronically.

Those interested in a seat on the TBA House of Delegates must file a declaration of candidacy that includes their name, principal place of law practice, district of interest and contact information. This can be submitted with the executive director of the TBA via email at barED@tnbar.org. The TBA’s website has more information on the election process and a list of available positions.

Farrar & Bates LLP is seeking an associate attorney with two to five years of litigation experience. Applicants must have strong research and writing skills. The associate will be responsible for handling their own cases, including drafting pleadings and motions, attending depositions, preparing for and attending court hearings, and preparing for and attending mediations. Visit TBA's JobLink platform for more information and to apply.

The TBA's Federal Practice Section, in conjunction with the Nashville chapter of the Federal Bar Association and Waller Landsen Dortch & Davis, hosted a reception following the conclusion of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeal’s oral arguments in Nashville on Tuesday. See photos from the event.

Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti has published an opinion stating that the disposal of fertilized human embryos that haven’t been transferred to a woman’s uterus does not violate the state’s Human Life Protection Act and isn’t punishable as a “criminal abortion,” the Tennessee Lookout reports. The opinion goes on to clarify that the state’s new abortion law only applies when a woman is physically pregnant, which could indicate a shift for some in the legislature who believe life begins at conception. The article also notes that some state senators are considering filing legislation in the new year to change the Human Life Protection Act to potentially separate medical emergencies dealing with pregnancies from “elective” abortions. Such a move could enable doctors to treat women without facing the dilemma of being presumed guilty for performing an abortion or violating their oath to meet a standard of care for patients.

The American Bar Association Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility released a formal opinion today that provides practical guidance to lawyers operating in an email world, cautioning them to generally refrain from including their clients when sending emails to opposing lawyers. Formal Opinion 503 explores communications and the scope of ABA Model Rule 4.2, which is commonly called the “no-contact” or “anticontact” rule and has been part of the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct since its inception in 1983. The new formal opinion would not tag opposing lawyers with a violation of Rule 4.2 if they respond to a group email or text sent by the opposing counsel with a “reply all” even if that communication includes the opposing counsel’s client.

Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands is hosting a free Family Law Clinic on Saturday, Nov. 5 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at 1660 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge, TN 37830. Attorneys will offer free legal advice about orders of protection, getting a divorce, custody and child support, adoptions and domestic violence. If you need legal advice for any of the legal issues listed above, attend the clinic. Registration is not required. (Important: This clinic will only be for legal advice. The attorneys at the clinic will not be providing intakes or taking on any new clients.)