Former state Sen. Brian Kelsey, R-Germantown, has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse his conviction on charges of breaking federal campaign finance laws, Tennessee Lookout reports. Kelsey pleaded guilty to funneling more than $100,000 from his state campaign account through two political action committees to the American Conservative Union, which bought digital and radio advertising to bolster his bid for a congressional seat in 2016. He was sentenced to 21 months in prison. He later attempted to change his plea to not guilty. The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declined to reverse the plea. Kelsey is now asking the high court to reverse arguing that the appeals court applied the wrong type of review.

The Hamilton County Commission this week delayed a decision on choosing a new county attorney until its next meeting on Jan. 8, 2025. According to Chattanoogan.com, the body postponed consideration of the matter after meeting with attorney John Konvalinka, who was hired to represent the commission on the matter. Longtime county attorney Rheubin Taylor is contracted to serve until July 1, 2025. Taylor has said that attempts by County Mayor Weston Wamp to name Janie Parks Varnell as the new county attorney would violate his contract. 

American confidence in the judicial system dropped 7% from last year, sagging to a record low, according to a new Gallup poll. Axios reports that just 35% of poll respondents said they had confidence in the U.S. judicial system and courts, a drop from 42% last year. The poll’s findings also mark the first time that confidence in the courts is below 50% for both those who approve and those who disapprove of U.S. leadership. Gallup reports that over the past four years, the confidence rate has dropped 24%. Read more about the findings.

Former judge and current Shelby County prosecutor Donna Fields died in a car accident on Dec. 16, the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office has announced. Fields joined the district attorney’s (DA) office after retiring as a judge, working part time with a focus on animal cruelty cases. "Donna Fields was a relentless advocate for justice, especially for those who had no voice," said DA Steve Mulroy. "She didn’t have to return to work, but she chose to because of her deep love for animals and her steadfast commitment to justice." Funeral arrangements are still being developed.

State Rep. Gino Bulso, R-Brentwood, has introduced a bill to create a new civil cause of action for those who mail or deliver abortion pills. HB26 would allow family members of women who end a pregnancy via abortion pills to sue drug manufacturers and distributors, delivery services and those who help women access abortion-inducing medications from out-of-state. Cases could be brought for up to $5 million in damages. The Tennessean, which reports on the measure, also reports that state law already prohibits sending and receiving abortion pills by mail in Tennessee.

Sessions from this fall’s 36th Annual Health Law Forum are now available on demand individually or in a 1-Click package, which features 15 hours of content including three hours of ethics credit. This year’s forum offered insights from health law providers, practitioners and regulators, providing the information lawyers need to stay on top of key advancements. Topics include private equity, antitrust laws, change health care, digital health, cyber security and enrollment issues. The program also includes the ever-popular legislative update and state case review.

The TBA’s Convention CLE Package offers an opportunity to experience the programs offered at the annual meeting last June and earn five hours of dual CLE credit. Ethics topics include combatting burnout, being your best in a virtual legal world and AI’s impact on the practice of law. Not what you are looking for? Check out all of the TBA’s year-end packages or build your own with more than 200 programs available on demand.

Legal Aid of East Tennessee (LAET) will present a free one-hour virtual disaster relief training for lawyers tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. CST / 11:30 a.m. EST. The program is being offered in conjunction with West Tennessee Legal Services, Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services (TALS), Washington County Recovery Committee, FEMA and the Small Business Administration. One hour of CLE credit is available. No registration is required. Join the Zoom Meeting using this link. Meeting ID is 898 7299 9787. Passcode is 985071.

The Tennessee Supreme Court has rejected proposed disciplinary action against Sullivan County lawyer Samuel Ervin White and referred the matter back to the Board of Professional Responsibility. In its order, the court said the following: “Based on our review of the entire record in this matter, [we have] concerns that the recommended sanction, particularly the period of active suspension, is too lenient given the number of complaints, the serious nature of the alleged misconduct, including abandonment of vulnerable clients, and dishonesty in communications with clients, other lawyers and disciplinary counsel.” White had agreed to a conditional guilty plea to resolve complaints filed against him on Oct. 29.

The TBA has announced the selection of 35 attorneys from across the state for its 2025 Leadership Law (TBALL) program. Now in its 22nd year, Leadership Law is designed to equip Tennessee lawyers with the vision, knowledge and skills necessary to serve as leaders in their profession and local communities. The class will meet for its first session in January and spend the next six months learning about leadership in the legal profession, issues in the courts, policymaking in state government and the importance of community service. Read more about the new class members.