TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Julia Wilburn on Jan 6, 2026

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee Chief Judge Sheryl Lipman on Monday swore in 16 military lawyers to assist the U.S. Department of Justice prosecute cases brought by the Memphis Safe Task Force. According to the Commercial Appeal, none of the former Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps attorneys were previously admitted to the Tennessee bar and will work alongside assistant U.S. attorneys as they learn local rules and procedures. U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee Michael Dunavant said during the ceremony that the JAG attorneys primarily will work on violent criminal cases, with some also working on gun offense cases.He later announced that 20 military lawyers have joined the effort. Lipman said she was grateful for the assistance because the "caseload has exploded," stating that, compared to each respective month in 2024, cases were up 90% in September 2025, 338% in October 2025 and 325% in November 2025.