Federal prosecutors have brought new charges against two Tennessee men, one of whom has already been charged in the Jan. 6 attach on the U.S. Capitol, WPLN reports. Edward Kelley of Maryville and Austin Carter of Knoxville face new charges that include conspiracy, retaliation against a federal official, and solicitation to commit violence. According to recently unsealed court documents, the men were recorded on phone calls discussing a list of 37 federal agents to target and how many guns they would have to attack the FBI field office in Knoxville. Kelley was previously charged in the Jan. 6 insurrection and had his home searched by the FBI. Records say at least one agent present during the search was later identified as a target. The men are due back in court in January.

The TBA today announced the selection of 33 attorneys from across the state for its 2023 Leadership Law (TBALL) program. Now in its 20th 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 at Montgomery Bell State Park 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 on the 2023 class.  

Shelby County commissioners have voted to delay the appointment of a District 86 representative until after the special primary in January, the Daily Memphian reports. The state House seat was made vacant by the death of Rep. Barbara Cooper, D-Memphis, who won her election in November despite having passed away in October. Commissioners chose to appoint the winner of the Jan. 24 Democratic primary. That person will serve until the results of the March election are certified. With no Republican or independent challengers, the March general election is a formality. Ten people have qualified to run for the seat. Commission Chairman Mickell Lowery will move to appoint the primary winner during a Feb. 1 meeting.  

Earn one hour of dual credit before the end of the year with a webcast replay featuring the Board of Professional Responsibility's Eileen Burkhalter Smith reviewing the most recent ethics updates. Ethics Update: Current Developments from the Board of Professional Responsibility will air on Friday from noon until 1 p.m. CST. Sign up today!

Metro Nashville is now accepting applications for a state trial court administrator for the 20th Judicial District. The position will perform managerial and administrative duties to assist the presiding judge. Additionally, the position will oversee daily operations of the State Trial Courts of the 20th Judicial District, including planning, directing and supervising activities of the courts’ administrative office, and acting as liaison with judges, courts, government agencies, bar associations and the public. Head over to the TBA’s JobLink site for information on how to apply.

The TBA Book Club will hold its second discussion event on Jan. 11 from 4 to 5 p.m. CST via Zoom. Members chose Jodi Picoult’s “Small Great Things” as the group’s second quarter book selection. The novel focuses on a Black labor and delivery nurse who is assigned to a child of white supremacists. The TBA will welcome author, poet and African American literature and cultural history expert Darius Stewart to the meeting as a special guest to provide context and insight into the book. Former TBA Executive Director Joycelyn Stevenson will lead the discussion. Register for the event.

Department of Children's Services Commissioner Margie Quin appeared before a legislative committee yesterday to explain how her department plans to fix widespread problems at the agency, the Tennessean reports. The department's plans include raising staff pay, capping caseloads, temporarily privatizing some case management and studying counterparts in New Jersey. Quin, who became commissioner on Sept. 1, asked for a $156 million budget increase this coming fiscal year, which would include $15 million for pay increases. The hearing comes one day after the state Comptroller released a scathing audit that found an array of issues within the agency, including staggering turnover rates, high caseloads and failure to adequately investigate dozens of reports of sexual abuse and sexual harassment.

Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton yesterday announced that he has named attorney Kevin Johnson as chief of staff, the Chattanoogan reports. Johnson has served as general counsel and senior advisor to the speaker since 2019. He has previously served as counsel, campaign manager and field representative for Congressman David Kustoff. In his new role, Johnson will be responsible for managing daily operations within the state House, overseeing strategic projects and he will continue serving as chief legal counsel to Sexton.

Judge Bernice Donald is set to join Resolute Systems next month when she retires from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, the Daily Memphian reports. Milwaukee-based Resolute is one of the largest alternative dispute resolution firms in the nation. Donald will be a full-time mediator, arbitrator, discovery referee and special master, working with clients in high-profile national and international litigation. “I have a passion for the law,” Donald said. “Being able to assist attorneys and their clients with the resolution of complex civil matters is extremely rewarding.”

Democrats in the state Senate this week voted for a complete overhaul of their leadership team, the Tennessean reports. Sen. Raumesh Akbari, D-Memphis, will serve as the new minority leader, Sen. London Lamar, D-Memphis, as caucus chair and Sen. Charlane Oliver, D-Nashville, as vice-caucus chair. Senate Republicans made no changes to the top of their leadership teams.