YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee will present “Stand Against Racism: Mental Health and People of Color” on Nov. 30 from noon to 1 p.m. CST. The program will explore the challenges that people of color face when seeking mental health care. Speakers include Sharon Roberson, president and CEO of the YWCA; Dr. Tiffany Williams, Tennessee State University assistant professor; mental health practioner Dr. Bearlyn Ash; and public health specialist Dr. Desiree Kelly. Register to attend.

The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday reaffirmed its decision to block an order by President Joe Biden requiring companies with 100 or more workers to mandate COVID-19 vaccines or weekly testing for their employees. In the 22-page opinion, the appeals court said the mandate issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is "fatally flawed," The Hill reports. It also prohibited the agency from enforcing the mandate pending review of a motion for permanent injunction. The ruling mirrors an earlier decision from Nov. 6.

U.S. District Judge Waverly Crenshaw yesterday blocked a new law that would limit the ability of schools to enact mask mandates but set an expedited hearing on the issue for today, WPLN reports. At today’s hearing, Crenshaw declined to clarify whether his ruling applies only in the Middle District or statewide, causing confusion for several school districts, the Tennessean reports. He set the next hearing date for Friday. Gov. Bill Lee signed the bill into law last Friday, enacting more stringent conditions for requiring face coverings among students and staff. Immediately after the bill’s signing, families from Knox, Williamson and Shelby counties filed a lawsuit asking the courts to halt the law to protect the health of their disabled or medically vulnerable children.

The Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands will hold two clinics this week. A phone clinic will be held tomorrow at 2 p.m. to provide general advice. The first 15 callers will be accepted. On Wednesday, a clinic will be held specifically for veterans from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Operation Stand Down, 1125 12th Ave. S. Nashville 37203. All times central. To volunteer contact Kendra Cheek, 615-780-7131. See all November clinics.

The TBA’s 2021 Health Law Primer, offered virtually last month, is now available for on-demand viewing as a 1-Click offering. The four-hour program, designed especially for newer health law practitioners, provides a general overview of health law, explores several hot topics in the practice area, and offers practical tips for avoiding the pitfalls of this heavily regulated industry.

Retired Judge Donn Alan Southern died Thursday. He was 87. A native of Knoxville, Southern moved to Memphis after graduating from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1957. He was in private practice until 1989 when he was appointed to the Shelby County Probate Court. Southern served on the court for more than 17 years, including two terms as presiding judge. He was also active in the Memphis Bar Association, serving two terms on the board of directors and as president in 1982, and was part of a group that began offering legal services to those in need. That effort later resulted in formation of Memphis Area Legal Services. A celebration of life service and reception will be held Nov. 17 at 11 a.m. CST at Idlewild Presbyterian Church, 1750 Union Ave., Memphis 38104. Burial will be private. Memorial donations may be made to the church; The Trezevant Foundation, 177 N. Highland St., Memphis, TN 38111; or the W.H.H. Southern Scholarship Foundation at the University of Tennessee, 1502 Cumberland Ave., Knoxville, TN 37922.

Gov. Bill Lee’s chief of staff Blake Harris will leave the office to work on Lee’s reelection and other Republican campaigns after the first of the year, the Nashville Post reports. Harris was a strategist on Lee’s successful 2018 campaign and executive director of his transition team. Replacing him will be Joseph Williams, currently director of the governor’s Office of External Affairs. Deputy Chief of Staff Alec Richardson will add the position of director of external affairs to his portfolio.

Gautam Hans, director of Vanderbilt University Law School’s First Amendment Clinic, will compete on Jeopardy! Dec. 6 as part of the show’s inaugural “Professors Tournament,” the school reports. He will face off against Hester Blum, an English professor at Penn State University, and Gary Hollis, a chemistry professor at Roanoke College. A total of 15 college professors will participate. The champion will be determined in a showdown set for Dec. 17. Hans says he grew up watching the quiz show and shouting answers at the television. He even dressed up once as show host Alex Trebek for Halloween. In addition to being a trivia star, Hans makes ice cream and chronicles his creations on the Habeas Custard blog.

Save the date for the 2022 Basket Auction and Spring Lunch benefiting the Knox County Juvenile Court’s Volunteer Advisory Board and its Annual Foster Care Appreciation Dinner. Money raised also goes to help meet the emergency needs of children in foster care. The event is scheduled for April 8, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. EDT. For more information or to donate, contact Patrice Staley, administrative assistant to Juvenile Court Judge Tim Irwin.

A newly released white paper from Thomson Reuters examines the state of small U.S. law firms, including how they are taking advantage of the digital economy and the impact of marketing and business development challenges. Access the full report.