A Memphis jury today heard opening arguments and witness testimony in the federal trial of state Sen. Katrina Robinson, D-Memphis, the Daily Memphian reports. Robinson was indicted last year on 20 counts of theft, embezzlement and wire fraud after allegedly misapplying federal funds intended to help students at her private business, The Healthcare Institute. Prosecutors allege Robinson used some of the grant money to finance her wedding, divorce, investment property and several other expenses totaling $600,000. Robinson’s attorneys argue that her two accountants never reported any issues with her use of the funding.

In honor of Constitution Day, the Memphis Lawyers’ Chapter of the Federalist Society will host “Originalism’s Promise: A Natural Law Account of the American Constitution” from noon until 1 p.m. CDT on Friday. Professor Lee J. Strang from the University of Toledo College of Law will host the virtual event via Zoom. Those interested in attending can register by contacting Greg Grisham or registering directly online.

Memphis Area Legal Services (MALS) has announced that local attorneys John and Lisa Bobango and their daughter, attorney Mary Lauren Bobango Stewart, will chair the 2021 Campaign for Equal Justice. John Bobango is the managing partner of Farris Bobango, where Stewart is also an associate. “The Bobango family understands the importance of sound legal representation for all persons, especially the working poor who simply cannot afford an attorney to protect their rights,” said MALS CEO Cindy Ettingoff. Money from the campaign allows the non-profit to provide legal representation to low-income individuals in a variety of legal issues.

The Tennessee Lawyers’ Association for Women (TLAW) recently elected new officers for the 2021-2022 year. According to its Facebook page, new officers are: Psonya Hackett, president; Julie Battacharya Peak, president-elect; Amy Farrar, recording secretary; Sunny Eaton, corresponding secretary; Linda Knight, treasurer; and Chelsea Conner, West Tennessee director at large. The officers were sworn in last week by Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Page.

A Tennessee General Assembly committee yesterday heard testimony from lawyers, sheriffs, judges, criminal justice reform advocates and others on the state’s cash bail system, the Daily Memphian reports. While many suggestions were made to “refine” the system, abolishing pretrial detention or cash bail were not among them. Arguments were made for risk-assessment tools that would determine whether a person should be released pretrial, but some advocates raised concerns about such tools being biased against people of color. Lincoln Memorial University law school Professor Willie Santana questioned the rate of pretrial detention and argued it should be used far less. Santana suggested a “more explicit presumption of release without conditions” and a requirement that all bail hearings occur within 48 hours. The Tennessean also has coverage of the meeting.

Sullivan County lawyer Jason R. McLellan was temporarily suspended from the practice of law on Sept. 9 by the Tennessee Supreme Court. McLellan was suspended after the court found he had misappropriated funds for his own use, posed a threat of substantial harm to the public and failed to respond to the Board of Professional Responsibility (BPR) regarding a complaint of misconduct. He is precluded from accepting new cases and must stop representing clients by Oct. 9. McLellan must notify all clients, co-counsel and opposing counsel of his suspension and is required to deliver to all clients any papers or property to which they are entitled.

Tenia Clayton with Baker Donelson in Nashville co-hosts this month’s episode of the TBA’s BarBuzz podcast. Catch the September episode for a recap of legal news from around the state, important updates from the bar association and shoutouts to Tennessee attorneys who have been doing great things in their legal and local communities. BarBuzz is part of the TBA Podcast Network and can be found anywhere you listen to podcasts or on the TBA’s website.

U.S. District Judge Ronnie Greer in Knoxville has denied the request for a temporary restraining order against Gov. Bill Lee’s Executive Order 84, which allows parents to opt out of school mask mandates, the Associated Press reports. The parents of three Knox County Schools students filed suit against Lee’s order last week. Greer ruled that the plaintiffs didn’t file an affidavit or verified complaint, so they “have not demonstrated that they would suffer immediate and irreparable injury or loss.” A hearing is set for next week to address the lawsuit’s request to block the executive order and require a mask mandate in Knox County Schools, where officials have voted against instituting one. Greer's ruling is at odds with a similar case in Shelby County, where a federal judge in Memphis last week temporarily blocked Lee's order after a suit was filed by the parents of children with health problems.

Events were held today in Knoxville, Memphis, Murfreesboro and Nashville marking the one-year anniversary of weekly rallies calling for justice for Pervis Payne, Main Street Nashville reports. Payne has been on death row for more than 30 years for the 1987 murder of a Shelby County resident and her daughter. Gov. Bill Lee delayed Payne’s execution last year, but the reprieve expired in April. Payne’s attorney and federal public defender, Kelley Henry, says the state Supreme Court could reset Payne’s execution date at any time. She pointed out that a law signed by Lee earlier this year gives those with intellectual disabilities the chance to appeal their death sentences and said Payne was in the process of appealing. According to the Innocence Project, Payne has an IQ score between 68 and 72, and the reading and writing skills of a child. Henry said a hearing is set for Dec. 13.

Memphis City Council member and attorney JB Smiley Jr. formally announced today that he will run for the Democratic nomination for governor, the Daily Memphian reports. Smiley kicked off his campaign in the lobby of the Orpheum theater where he touted a campaign plan he says is different from past Democratic statewide campaigns. “We need to talk about education. We need to talk about how we are going to expand Medicaid,” Smiley said. “We need to talk about what we are going to do with this infrastructure. … We need broadband access.” Other contenders in the Democratic primary include Nashville physician Dr. Jason Martin, North Memphis activist Carnita Atwater and Casey Nicholson of Greeneville. Smiley opened Smiley & Associates in 2017.