Amazon filed a lawsuit against the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) on Thursday, challenging the agency's structure and its handling of a union election at a Staten Island warehouse in 2022. Reuters reports the lawsuit alleges that the NLRB violated the U.S. Constitution by interfering with the election and acting as prosecutor, judge and jury in the case. Amazon claims that the board's five presidential appointees lack proper oversight and that the company is denied the right to a jury trial. The report states the lawsuit echoes similar claims made by other companies against the NLRB, which maintains that its structure is legal and defends its actions as protecting workers' rights. 

Tennessee is working to acquire 5,500 acres of land near Memphis to establish a new state forest. The purchase, facilitated by The Conservation Fund, aims to protect the property from development and preserve the Wolf River watershed, a vital source of drinking water for the city, according to the Tennessee Lookout. The land is part of the historic Ames Plantation, known for its diverse wildlife, historical significance and ongoing research by the University of Tennessee. The state is using a combination of state and federal funds to finance the purchase, and the land will be subject to legal restrictions as a state forest.

In honor of approaching Hispanic Heritage Month, observed Sept. 15-Oct. 15, the Knoxville Latino Bar Association (KLBA), University of Tennessee Law Latin American Law Students Association (LLSA) and Lincoln Memorial University Hispanic Law Students Association (HLSA) are co-hosting a "Lawtino Mixer" on Sept. 20 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. EDT at Radius Rooftop Lounge in Knoxville. This networking event offers an opportunity for Latino legal professionals and students to connect in a relaxed setting. RSVP here.

The Tennessee Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection on Sept. 5 paid a $39,585 claim filed against Anderson County attorney Kevin Carmack Angel. It also directed Angel to reimburse the fund for the expense. The Fund for Client Protection was established by the Tennessee Supreme Court to reimburse individuals for losses caused by dishonest conduct by attorneys. The fund is operated by a board, which meets quarterly to consider claims. In September 2022, the Tennessee Supreme Court amended Rule 25 to require the fund to notify the Tennessee Bar Association of claims paid. News releases also are posted online.

In response to recent rallies by extremist groups in Nashville, the Metro Council is considering a series of measures to discourage hate-motivated behavior, WPLN News reports. Last month, Mayor Freddie O'Connell proposed several bills, including restrictions on flier distribution, masks, public building access and highway signs. Now two council members also are proposing changes. Jeff Preptit is seeking to prohibit Metro employees from joining extremist groups, while Zulfat Suara would require public commenters to be Tennessee residents. The council began consideration of these ideas this week.

The Knoxville Bar Association (KBA) on Thursday hosted its annual Bench & Bar Celebration. The KBA’s Diversity in the Profession Committee presented the 2024 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award to Legal Aid of East Tennessee, and attendees heard about the organization's innovative efforts to be accessible to clients and provide a meaningful and welcoming workplace for all employees. See photos from the event.

Attorneys interested in estate planning will have the chance to gain valuable knowledge and enjoy a round of Topgolf at a special event on Nov. 7. The program, which will feature three hours of CLE programming, is designed for new attorneys and those looking to add estate planning to their practice. The event will include breakfast, lunch and two hours of golfing after the presentations. The program will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. CDT. Learn more or register here.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee says the state is working to resume executions, after an effective pause on the death penalty has continued for more than two years. Lee’s comments came during a session with reporters in Knoxville last week, WBIR reports. Among his comments, Lee said, "I think it's important that we move as quickly as we can, but take as long as we need to, to make sure we get it right. I've tasked our team with getting a protocol in place. This has to be done, it's the law of our state. We need to be in a position to fulfill that law. But as you know, if you don't have the correct protocols in place, then the outcomes are not what any of us want in this state. I suspect that we are closer than further from having a protocol in place and will be allowed then to continue that process." In April 2022, Lee paused executions moments before an inmate was scheduled to die citing issues with protocols. He then launched an independent review of the lethal injection preparation process. According to reports, the state struggled to follow its own lethal injection rules at several steps, including the chemicals' testing and storage prior to the pause. WKRN also has details of Lee's recent remarks.

The Tennessee Worker’s Compensation Appeals Board will hear three cases on Oct. 1 in Knoxville. Oral arguments will start at 9 a.m. EDT. The cases are: Gary Dingus v. Grand Piano and Furniture Co., in which the trial court denied a defense of willful failure to wear a safety device; John Oldham v. Freeman Webb Realtors, in which the trial court awarded permanent total disability after applying the direct and natural consequences rule; and Bibiane Francoeur v. Amerimed Medical Solutions LLC, in which the trial court awarded temporary disability benefits for an employee who was under a “no-driving” restriction but was not provided with transportation to work.

Shelby County Chancellor Melanie Taylor Jefferson will hear initial arguments in the Memphis City Council’s suit to include gun referendum questions on the November ballot later this month, the Daily Memphian reports. The hearing, set for Sept. 16, will test whether the council may proceed with plans to include the ballot questions despite guidance from Tennessee Elections Coordinator Mark Goins and Secretary of State Tre Hargett that the ballot additions would illegally preempt state law. The council sued over that decision last week.