The Trump administration’s pick to head the U.S. Marshals Service says judicial security is his leading priority and pledged to seek more resources to protect judges, if needed, Bloomberg Law reports. Gadyaces Serralta told U.S. senators at his confirmation hearing that threatening a judge “is a serious, serious crime” and he is open to studying manpower issues. “If I do need more human resources, I would absolutely take it up with the Department of Justice and ensure that we make the ask,” he told the Judiciary Committee in response to a question. Bloomberg Law has more on the hearing.

Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer is celebrating 25 years on the bench. The Court of Criminal Appeals judge for the Middle Section says of his service: “It’s been a great honor to serve the citizens of Tennessee in this capacity and as a trial judge, from 1990 to 2000, in Robertson and Montgomery counties — the 19th judicial district, affectionately known as the Fighting 19.” Prior to joining the bench, Wedemeyer served as a private practice attorney from 1977 to 1990. He received his undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University in 1973, and his law degree from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law in 1976. Read a profile of Wedemeyer from the Administrative Office of the Courts.

Federal authorities have charged a Tullahoma man suspected of starting a fire that destroyed part of the historic Highlander Center six years ago with arson. Court documents allege that Regan Prater started the blaze that burned the center's administrative building on March 29, 2019. The Highlander Center has a long history of training civil rights activists at its two locations, and hosted visits by Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks. Knox News reports that a tipster alerted authorities to Prater's online chats in neo-Nazi forums. According to the Associated Press, Prater was previously sentenced to five years in federal prison for setting another fire in June 2019 at an adult video and novelty store in East Tennessee. He pleaded guilty and was ordered to pay $106,000 in restitution in that case.

The Tennessee Information Protection Act (TIPA), which was passed by the Tennessee General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. Bill Lee in 2023, requires certain businesses to ensure consumers’ data and information are protected while giving consumers more control over how their data is collected, processed and used by those businesses. In preparation for TIPA to go into effect July 1, Attorney General (AG) Jonathan Skrmetti's office has released a guide to assist consumers and businesses in understanding the new requirements. "This new law protects consumer privacy and gives Tennesseans more transparency and control over corporate data collection and retention," said Skrmetti. "[M]y office is glad to provide clear guidance so companies know what they need to do, because Tennessee wants to continue to be an easy place to build and run a business." Read a press release and FAQs about TIPA from the AG's office.

Make plans now to join colleagues on June 26 at noon CDT for an insightful and practical webcast designed specifically for family law attorneys. The seminar will guide attendees through the essential steps of conducting effective client consultations, from initial intake to preparation and execution. Topics will cover the intake process — how to gather crucial information efficiently and empathetically; preparation — strategies for preparing thoroughly to address client concerns and legal issues; and consultation mechanics — counterintuitive insights and techniques for managing the consultation to build trust and rapport. Visit the TBA website for more information and to register.

Reporters from across the state gathered in Nashville recently to learn about open meetings law, investigative journalism and more during the fifth annual Reporters Workshop program, produced jointly by the Tennessee Bar Association, the Tennessee Association of Broadcasters and the Tennessee Press Association Foundation. Participants were selected from applicants interested in developing a deeper understanding of media law issues that may affect their everyday work. Friday's programming began with a panel of veteran investigative reporters — Jennifer Krause from NewsChannel 5, Meribah Knight from WPLN News and Stephen Elliott from the Nashville Banner — moderated by Amy Mohan of Sherrard Roe Voigt & Harbison. Other speakers included Jennifer Safstrom with Vanderbilt's First Amendment Clinic, who presented on reporter's privilege; Jay Harbison from Neal & Harwell, who spoke to attendees about staying on the right side of the law in reporting; and legal media experts Paul McAdoo from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and Deborah Fisher from Tennessee Coalition for Open Government, who discussed the open records law. Saturday's session featured an overview of defamation with Ron Harris of Neal & Harwell and a panel on covering state and local government with Alex Apple from Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell's Office, Steve Cavendish from the Nashville Banner, and Holly McCall from the Tennessee Lookout. That panel was moderated by Clint Brewer from Imperium Public Strategies. The day wrapped up with a panel moderated by Robb Harvey of Holland & Knight on covering the courts with Judges Valerie Smith, Ana Escobar and Sam Coleman. See photos from the event. Thanks to this year's sponsors Sherrard Roe Voigt & Harbison, Neal & Harwell and Holland & Knight.

The law firm of Rainey Kizer Reviere & Bell celebrated its 50th anniversary on Monday with a ribbon cutting at its Jackson office. Founded in Jackson in 1975 by Tom Rainey and Jerry Kizer, the firm now employs 50 lawyers and has offices in six cities across Tennessee and Kentucky. WBBJ was on site to record the ceremony and interview the firm's president, Dale Thomas.

The Tennessee Supreme Court Access to Justice Commission is partnering with the Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services, the Hard Bargain Association and Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands to hold a wills clinic in Williamson County. The clinic is set for May 3 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. CDT at Mercy's Community Clinic, 143 SE Parkway Ct., Franklin 37064. Attorneys and at least one notary are needed, and law students are welcome to participate. Click here to view an informational flyer or register here to help.

U.S. Sens. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee, and Thom Tillis, R-North Carolina, introduced the Sister City Transparency Act to identify the risks of foreign espionage within sister city partnerships, which exist to promote cultural exchange and economic development. The bill would direct the comptroller general to study partnerships involving foreign communities in countries with significant public sector corruption and report to Congress. Three Tennessee cities have official partnerships with 21 cities around the world through Sister Cities International. Read more in a press release from Blackburn's office.

The Tennessee Safe Baby Court program has expanded to Blount County with the overall goal of reducing the amount of time a child is removed from a home. “Children are their most vulnerable and most resilient at this age, so if children are removed from their home into the child welfare system ... the long-term effects of that trauma are significant,” Blount County Juvenile Court Judge Kenlyn Foster told WATE News. The Safe Baby Court will operate out of the Juvenile Court. WVLT reports that last year, Knox County’s program took on the most cases of any county in the state, helping more than 20 families, totaling nearly 40 children. Twenty-two counties across the state operate Safe Baby Courts, which are focused on children ages 0 to 3 who are involved in the child welfare system.