The Law Department Operations Survey from the Blickstein Group is now open for 2020 input. According to Above the Law, the survey covers subjects such as the challenges related to the coronavirus pandemic, compensation, artificial intelligence, legal services delivery models and more. A publicly available report on the survey’s findings will be published later this year. Those interested in contributing to the survey can access the online questionnaire here.

Two Nashville lawyers recently launched an effort to protect consumers who have yet-to-be used gift cards for retailers that file for bankruptcy, the Tennessean reports. Bankruptcy attorney Myles MacDonald with Sto Helit and consumer attorney Thomas Burt with Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz announced "Project Phoenix" and filed their first class proofs of claim in the bankruptcy cases of Lord & Taylor and Sur La Table Inc. Lord & Taylor has reported at least $35.5 million in unused gift cards while Sur La Table has reported about $17.5 million. When retailers file for bankruptcy, millions of dollars in unused gift cards are often stripped of their value, the pair argue. They are asking the bankruptcy court to certify card holders as a class that can make a claim against the assets of the companies. They are also pushing companies to give cardholders more notice to spend cards.

The U.S. Supreme Court has announced that oral arguments in October will be conducted by telephone, the National Law Journal reports. The court used the same practice successfully in May with just a few “missteps.” Ten cases are set for the October session, including a major intellectual property case, a forum dispute brought by Ford Motor Co., a dispute over the appointment of state judges in Delaware, and the case of Google v. Oracle America. The court said it would “continue to closely monitor public health guidance in determining plans for the November and December argument sessions.”

Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner says he and others who run the Shelby County Jail are doing what they can to deal with the COVID-19 virus, the Daily Memphian reports. “We’re separating them. We are isolating them,” he said about prisoners at the facility. His comments come two days after a federal lawsuit over pandemic measures at the jail was amended to call for the release of prisoners at a high risk for contracting the virus. The new filing came from attorneys with the American Civil Liberties Union and Just City. They allege “horrid conditions” at the jail despite the presence of a federal monitor.

The U.S. Commerce Department said today it will ban new downloads of the mobile apps TikTok and WeChat starting Sunday night, Politico reports. WeChat will essentially have to stop operating on Sunday while existing TikTok users will be able to use the app until November. The department said it provided that delay so as not to disrupt ongoing negotiations between TikTok, Oracle and the government.

The pay gap between male and female law partners is growing, partly because compensation for male partners is increasing at a faster rate than that of female partners, according to a new report by legal recruiting firm Major, Lindsey & Africa and its research partner Acritas. In 2010, female partners at larger law firms earned an average of 24% less than their male counterparts. By 2018, the gap had widened, with female partners making 35% less. During that same period, the average male partners’ compensation grew 42% compared to 22% for female partners. The study also found that compensation of Black partners fell slightly during the eight years, while compensation of Latino and Asian Pacific partners increased by 46% and 44%, respectively. The ABA Journal reports on the findings.

Donald W. Spurrell, a World War II veteran, University of Alabama football player and patent attorney, died Sept. 9 in Johnson City from complications of COVID-19. He was 92. Spurrell completed a master’s degree in math before earning his law degree from the University of Alabama School of Law. After graduating, he moved to Washington, D.C., to work for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office as a patent examiner. He later moved to Rochester, New York, to work as a patent attorney with Eastman Kodak. Spurrell returned to Tennessee in 1966 but continued working for Kodak until he retired in 1986. He then continued to work for many years as an independent patent attorney. His son Donald E. Spurrell is also a lawyer in Johnson City. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Grace B. Spurrell Memorial Fund at the Johnson City Public Library or a charity of the donor’s choice.

The East Tennessee Lawyers’ Association for Women will host a park walk and talk with Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon on Oct. 7. Those interested in attending should gather in Lakeshore Park at the Marble Pavilion at 5:15 p.m. At 6:15 pm., attendees will enjoy a social time. Significant others and children are welcome and individually packaged refreshments will be provided. Masks must be worn except when eating and drinking. During that time, attendees are asked to maintain social distancing. Register here.

TBA’s member advantage partner ABA Retirement Funds is sponsoring a free webinar on retirement savings strategies. The “Behavioral Finance for Fiduciaries in the Digital Age” will take place live on Sept. 29 at 2:30 p.m. EDT. TBA members can take advantage of this free 45-minute program by registering here.

The Mansfield Rule Certification measures whether law firms consider diverse lawyers for leadership and governance roles, equity partner promotions, formal client pitch opportunities, and senior lateral positions. Eight firms with offices in Tennessee have earned the annual certification, which is granted by Diversity Lab. They are Baker, Donelson; Frost Brown Todd; Greenberg Traurig; Husch Blackwell; Jackson Lewis; Littler Mendelson; and Merchant & Gould. The group also has launched a pilot program for midsize firms. Among the 20 firms participating is Starnes Davis Florie with offices in Franklin.