In October, 13 states and the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit against TikTok — the culmination of a two-year investigation into the social media company — which alleges the social media platform was designed with the express intention of addicting young people to the app. The suit argues the multi-billion-dollar company deceived the public about the risks. According to NPR, internal TikTok communications, now public, allegedly show a company unconcerned with the harms the app poses for American teenagers, despite the company's own research validating many child safety concerns. The documents reveal, among other things, that TikTok implemented a time-limit tool aimed at "improving public trust" rather than actually limiting time spent on the app; that content moderation features are missing content around self-harm and eating disorder videos; and that the company changed its algorithm to prioritize users it viewed as beautiful. The Associated Press reported on the original lawsuit.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) has proposed a new rule to increase federal contracting opportunities for small businesses by expanding the “rule of two” to multiple-award contracts. This rule mandates that agencies set aside contracts for small businesses if two or more can provide competitive bids. Business Journals reports that, if adopted, the SBA estimates this change could unlock up to $6 billion annually in federal spending for small businesses. The SBA has been actively expanding support for small businesses through increased certification, expanded loan programs, and reforms to make loans more accessible, aiming to foster growth and inclusivity in federal contracting and financing.

Nashville Criminal Court Judge Angelita Dalton on Monday maintained her September order to restore the rights of four voters with prior felony convictions. Nashville Public Radio reports that attorneys for the state had appealed the ruling, citing a new rule that requires voters to restore their gun rights before their voting rights can be restored, which is often not possible with felony convictions. In her order, Dalton ruled that the state did not have standing to appeal the case, since Nashville District Attorney Glenn Funk did not object to the original order.

Join your colleagues on Dec. 3 for the webcast "Making 'Difficult Communications' Less Difficult: Best Practices and Strategies for Success" from 3-4 p.m. CST. This presentation examines the five barriers to healthy communications and provides strategies for addressing each. It also identifies the most common communication mistakes employers make. Presenters will provide tips for individuals to become better communicators and explore de-escalation techniques. Learn more and register here.

The November/December 2024 issue of the Tennessee Bar Journal is now available online and arriving in mailboxes soon! This issue's cover story profiles recently retired Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Roger Page and his journey to the bench. Hillel Frankel explores how the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in artistic creations has launched major rights questions across the artistic spectrum, and Colton Adams, Leah Bennion and Eric Lyons explain that as businesses adapt to the requirements of the Corporate Transparency Act, it is critical to understand its implications and take proactive steps to ensure compliance. President Ed Lanquist Jr. underscores TBA's commitment to access to justice, Buddy Stockwell tackles anxiety in the legal profession and John Williams reviews Judge Richard M. Gergel's "Unexampled Courage." Enjoy these and other articles covering a range of legal topics.

Stuart Teicher, the CLE Performer, is back with three new sessions. Join him on Nov. 7 for one, two or all three of these webcasts! From 9-10 a.m., Teicher will look at a host of grammar and punctuation rules that don’t make sense and are in some cases are not even rules in "Legal Writing Rules You SHOULD Be Breaking." From 10:15-11:15 a.m., Teicher will connect the cast of "Friends" to a number of ethics rules in "Friends ... An Ethical Sitcom?" To wrap up the series, Teicher will look at the worst criminals in history and the ethics lessons they teach us. "From Bonnie and Clyde to Bernie Madoff: What the Biggest Thieves in History Teach About Attorney Ethics" will run from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. All times in central time zone.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has granted a German family in Morristown a reprieve from deportation for another year. The Romeike family moved to East Tennessee to homeschool their five children for religious reasons after being fined for doing so in Germany, reports the Tennessean. After pushback from the family's attorney Kevin Boden with the Home School Legal Defense Association and public outcry that included a bill being introduced in Congress, ICE in October 2023 delayed the family's deportation until October 2024. An ICE spokesperson said in a statement that the agency determined after a thorough review that the Romeike case "does not meet current enforcement priorities. Accordingly, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) has approved a one-year order of supervision for the Romeike family."

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.

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.

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.