The U.S. Senate has approved the nomination of Brian Charles Lea as the newest district court judge for the Western District of Tennessee. The vote was 50-46 according to Reuters. Lea, a deputy associate attorney general with the Department of Justice and a former clerk to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, was nominated by President Donald Trump in November 2025. The Senate also today approved Justin Olson as a judge in the Southern District of Indiana. The votes bring to 33 the number of judicial nominees the Senate has confirmed during Trump's second term.

Several state agencies have released information to help residents deal with the aftermath of Winter Storm Fern. The Tennessee Attorney General’s Office is urging consumers to use caution when selecting a business to provide tree trimming or removal services to avoid being scammed. In addition, Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti and Department of Commerce and Insurance Commissioner Carter Lawrence have released a joint statement regarding insurance claims following the storm. The pair encourage residents to review the online resources available and file a complaint about any storm-related insurance claims believed to be wrongfully denied. Finally, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency is encouraging residents to report property damage caused by the storm to help it demonstrate the need for a federal major disaster declaration.

Greene County Juvenile Court Magistrate David Leonard died Jan. 20 at the age of 57. A graduate of the University of Tennessee (now Winston) College of Law, Leonard served in the magistrate role from 2006-2009 and again from 2012 to the present. He was remembered at a gathering in Afton on Jan. 28. Memorial donations may be made to the Isaiah 117 House, 1390 Birdwell Mill Rd., Greeneville, TN 37743 or the Greeneville Humane Society, 400 N. Rufe Taylor Rd., Greeneville, TN 37745. Read reflections from those who worked with Leonard in the Greeneville Sun.

CoreCivic has announced that Allen Beard, warden of the company’s Trousdale Turner Correctional Center, is transitioning to a “part-time leadership role” after leading the facility for just five months. He will be replaced by Stanley Lovett, who most recently worked at a CoreCivic prison in Mississippi, according to the Nashville Banner. Lovett will become the fourth warden at Trousdale in a little over a year. The facility has faced a number of criticisms in recent years. In 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice opened an investigation into conditions at the prison.

A number of events are planned in Chattanooga to celebrate Black History Month. The Bessie Smith Cultural Center will host an art contest and community day on Feb. 7, a documentary on the history of Black representation in children’s toys on Feb. 12, a celebration of Black spirituals on Feb. 19 and the unveiling of a new historical marker honoring those affected by lynchings on Feb. 26. The National Medal of Honor Heritage Center will host a workshop for teachers and a session on Medal of Honor recipient George Jordan on Feb. 16. The Chattery will host an interactive art cafe with Black artists on Feb. 19 and a night market on Feb. 27. From Feb. 13-21, Crabtree Farms will host a play offering alternative perspectives not featured in the “Hamilton” musical. Access more information about these and other events from Nooga Today.

Joey Aguilar, the University of Tennessee’s starting quarterback this past season, received a 15-day temporary restraining order allowing him to practice with the team, Knox News reports. Aguilar is suing the NCAA over rules that would deny him additional eligibility to play. His argument is partly based on the fact that he began his career at a non-NCAA junior college. The next step for Aguilar is to seek a preliminary injunction. A hearing on that issue is set for Feb. 13.

A jury has convicted a man for threatening to kill a federal judge and two prosecutors in Memphis last year. Justin Stiger, 34, was convicted after a two-day trial and just 2.5 hours of jury deliberation, according to the Daily Memphian. Stiger was indicted in 2022 on an unrelated drug case. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years. He later requested a change to his plea, which broke the original plea agreement. U.S. District Judge Mark Norris denied the request and ordered a new sentencing hearing. At that proceeding, Norris sentenced Stiger to a decade behind bars and Stiger allegedly threatened to kill Norris and two prosecutors. The threat case is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Tennessee with East Tennessee’s U.S. District Judge Travis McDonough presiding. Sentencing is set for June 18.

The Tennessee Court of Appeals has ruled that Metro Nashville must consider releasing certain records related to the Covenant School shooting, the Nashville Banner reports. Authoring Judge Kristi Davis wrote that “no record in Metro’s file should be deemed exempt simply because it contains some exempt information.” The appeals court remanded the case back to the Davidson County Chancery Court to resolve which of the shooter’s writings should be exempt from disclosure. A number of news outlets are seeking access to the shooter’s journals and writings while the school and several parents are seeking to stop the disclosure. After Metro denied all requests — arguing the investigation was ongoing — Chancellor I’Ashea Myles agreed that Metro could deny all requests. According to Fox 17 News, police department attorneys now acknowledge the investigation is complete.

Among the projects included in Gov. Bill Lee’s budget is $4.9 million to create a 10-person rapid DNA unit. According to Axios, the technology would allow for a two-hour turnaround on tests, would be portable and could be done on site during disasters. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has had testing lags for rape kits and other DNA evidence for years. A state review recently recommended that lawmakers adjust DNA testing laws to allow for rapid DNA technology during booking.

In honor of the upcoming March Madness extravaganza, TBA brings you a breakdown of the ways in which college mascots represent their schools with pride, loyalty and unwavering standards — qualities every attorney should embody. Professional legal educator Stuart Teicher — “The CLE Performer” — reveals how these iconic figures demonstrate core principles of legal ethics. From the tiger's protective instincts to the eagle's soaring integrity, mascots show us what it means to represent something bigger than yourself while maintaining consistent character, both in the spotlight and behind the scenes. The webcast will air Feb. 6 from noon to 1 p.m. CST. Can't make that time? The program also is available on demand. Learn more and register on the TBA website.