In an ongoing investigation into U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles' campaign finance disclosures, the Maury County Republican has confirmed that the FBI had taken possession of his cell phone. “It has been widely reported for months that my campaign made mistakes in our initial financial filings,” Ogles said in the post made to X, formerly known as Twitter. “We have worked diligently with attorneys and reporting experts to correct the errors and ensure compliance going forward. It is my understanding that they are investigating the same well-known facts surrounding these filings." An FBI spokesperson declined to comment. The Tennessean has the story.

The American Bar Association House of Delegates (ABA HOD) at its annual meeting Aug. 5 and 6 approved a range of policies, including one that embraces democracy and the rule of law, and another that expresses opposition to government actions that require the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools. Altogether, the HOD worked through about four dozen resolutions that also addressed gender-affirming laws, the Equal Rights Amendment and a host of new policies advocating for human rights in countries around the world. The HOD encompasses 590 delegates from ABA entities and state, local and specialty bar associations. Read more in-depth coverage of the policies and resolutions adopted in a press release from the ABA.

The law license of Marion County lawyer Howard Graham Swafford Jr. has been transferred to disability inactive status. Swafford may not practice law while on inactive status but may petition the Tennessee Supreme Court for reinstatement by showing by clear and convincing evidence that the disability has been removed and he is fit to resume the practice of law.

The Tennessee Supreme Court has issued a public censure with conditions for Chattanooga attorney Shaheen Iltaf Imami. On April 10, the state of Michigan imposed a public reprimand on Imami conditioned on successful completion of two practice management trainings. Michigan found that Imami failed to preserve complete records of account funds for a period of five years; failed to promptly deliver funds owed to his client or third party; failed to promptly render a full accounting; failed to hold property of clients or third parties separate from his own funds; failed to deposit all client or third party funds in an appropriate IOLTA or non-IOLTA account, and/or failed to appropriately safeguard other property; engaged in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice; and engaged in conduct exposing the legal profession to obloquy, contempt, censure or reproach in violation of Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.15(b)(2) and (3), 1.15 (d) and 8.4(c). and Michigan Court Rules 9.104(1) and (2). On May 8, the Tennessee Supreme Court directed Imami to respond why the discipline imposed in Michigan should not also be imposed in Tennessee. The court reports that Imami did not respond.

The TBA House of Delegates has vacancies in several of its districts. In accordance with Article 29 of the TBA Bylaws, if no candidate files a declaration of candidacy for district delegate in a district or if there is no district delegate by reason of death, declination or other cause, the officers of the House of Delegates may fill the vacancy with the term to commence at the time of appointment. The following seats are available: 7th Judicial District (Anderson County); 9th Judicial District (Loudon, Meigs, Morgan and Roane counties); 12th Judicial District (Bledsoe, Franklin, Grundy, Marion, Rhea and Sequatchie counties); 14th Judicial District (Coffee County); 15th Judicial District (Jackson, Macon, Smith, Trousdale and Wilson counties); 17th Judicial District (Bedford, Lincoln, Marshall and Moore counties); 23rd Judicial District (Cheatham, Dickson, Houston, Humphreys and Stewart counties); 26th Judicial District (Chester, Henderson and Madison counties); 28th Judicial District (Crockett, Gibson and Haywood counties). Individuals interested in being considered for any of these positions should fill out this interest form by Aug. 19.

Bradley Arant Boult Cummings recently announced Scarlett Singleton Nokes as the new leader of its Government Enforcement and Investigations Practice Group and John P. Rodgers as the new leader of its Labor & Employment Practice Group. Both are partners in the firm’s Nashville office. Nokes is a former federal prosecutor in Birmingham, Nashville and Savannah, and now represents clients in a range of matters related to internal investigations, internal risk analysis, government investigations, white-collar criminal defense, regulatory and compliance issues, civil litigation matters, and enforcement actions. Rodgers handles employment-related litigation and counsels clients on termination and disciplinary decisions, as well as issues related to the Americans with Disabilities Act, Fair Labor Standards Act and Family and Medical Leave Act. He assists employers with transactional needs and devotes substantial attention to ERISA litigation.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit against TikTok and parent company ByteDance for failing to protect children's privacy on the social media app, The Hill reports. The government says TikTok violated the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, which requires that services aimed at children obtain parental consent to collect personal information from users under age 13. In related news, a group of 21 states and more than 50 U.S. lawmakers on Friday backed the DOJ in another TikTok case defending a federal law that requires ByteDance to sell TikTok's U.S. assets by Jan. 19, 2025, or face a ban. Read the filing in that case.

The Columbia Peace and Justice Initiative in Maury County will host an evening with the legendary civil rights attorney Fred Gray. The in-person event will feature Gray sharing his insights and stories. All proceeds will support creation of a Thurgood Marshall Statue at the roundabout of South Main St. and East 8th St. in downtown Columbia. The event will take place Sept. 19 from 6-7:30 p.m. CDT at 101 Unity Dr., Columbia 38401. Register to attend.

Federal grants have been issued to more than 1,500 Black and minority farmers, ranchers and forest landowners in Tennessee who experienced discrimination in U.S. Department of Agriculture farm lending programs prior to January 2021, reports the Tennessee Lookout. Funds were granted to 626 producers and 958 individuals in the state who had planned to start a farming or ranching operation, for a total of 1,584 awardees. National Black Farmers Association President John Boyd called the payouts "historic" in a statement posted to the association’s website. While the statement describes the application process as “lengthy and complex, compounding the pain and frustration felt by many farmers,” Boyd said it was worth it in the end.