U.S. District Judge J. Ronnie Greer of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Greeneville has sentenced Sean Williams to 95 years in prison. The Johnson City man was convicted in July 2024 of escaping prison and in November of three counts of production of child pornography. According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Tennessee, the evidence presented at the child pornography trial showed that Williams used three minor children to engage in sexually explicit conduct and took photos of that conduct. The conduct occurred at Williams’s apartment in Johnson City. Williams also has been accused of sexually assaulted each of the victims’ mothers while they were unconscious, around the same time that he took pornographic photos of their children. No charges have been filed based on those claims.

The Shelby County Board of Commissioners has appointed Taylor Bachelor as the new General Sessions Criminal Court judge for Division 7, replacing Bill Anderson, who will retire March 1. Bachelor will serve until a special election is held in conjunction with the county's August 2026 general election. Anderson’s exit drew 13 applicants, who were interviewed by county commissioners on Friday. Bachelor emerged from a field of seven. On the third ballot, she prevailed over former U.S. Attorney Reagan Fondren, reports the Daily Memphian. Bachelor is an assistant district attorney general and former juvenile court magistrate.

International health care law firm McDermott Will & Emery has opened an office in Nashville at 222 2nd Ave. S., Ste. 1840 with four new partners: Ken Marlow, Wells Beckett, Stephen Page and Spencer Green. The lawyers, previously with K&L Gates, will lead the office's Health & Life Sciences Practice Group. “Nashville is home to more than 900 health companies and our new presence gives us a strong connection to the unique health and life sciences ecosystem that has formed there," said Kristian Werling, global head of the practice group. "Simply put, it’s a place that McDermott ... should be." Read more from the firm or from the Nashville Business Journal.

Edward Kelley of Maryville was found guilty of involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol and of plotting in 2022 to kill FBI investigators who were investigating his actions at the Capitol. In January, Kelley received a pardon from President Donald Trump for offenses "related to events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021," which Kelley and his lawyer argue includes the conspiracy to murder charge. Prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Tennessee say that the pardon does not apply to the conspiracy charge and have asked a judge to rule on the matter. If the conviction is upheld, Kelley is to be sentenced May 7, facing a maximum term of life in prison, the Tennessean reports.

Lisa Findley, the Missouri woman accused of trying to auction off Graceland, has pleaded guilty to mail fraud in U.S. District Court in Memphis, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Tennessee. A not guilty plea previously had been entered on her behalf. Findley was indicted last year on charges of mail fraud and identity theft, but the judge dismissed the identity theft charges as part of a plea deal with prosecutors. A sentencing hearing is set for June 19; prosecutors are recommending 57 months in prison, ABC24 reports. WPLN has a statement responding to the news from Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti.

Effective Feb. 24, the Tennessee Supreme Court suspended Shelby County lawyer Aaron Anthony Neglia from the practice of law for 10 years. On June 9, 2022, the Supreme Court suspended Neglia and asked the Board of Professional Responsibility (BPR) to institute formal proceedings. Neglia pleaded guilty in two felony cases and was sentenced in the Shelby County Criminal Court for bribery of a public servant and in the U.S. District Court for conspiracy to violate the Travel Act. On July 19, 2022, the BPR filed a petition to institute formal proceedings in the case. A hearing panel of the board found that Neglia’s conduct violated Tennessee Rules of Professional 8.4(a), (b), (c), and (d), and imposed a 10-year suspension. In November 2024, the court weighed increasing punishment from suspension to disbarment. Following review, the court agreed with the recommendations of the panel and imposed a 10-year suspension but applied a 124-day credit to the term.

More defendants in copyright actions are attacking the copyright registration application and deposit materials and using referral to the copyright office under 17 U.S.C. 411 to hinder or defeat copyright claims. TBA's IP Webcast series continues on March 5 at noon CST with Knoxville attorney John Wood of Egerton, McAfee, Armistead & Davis on Protecting Your Copyright Registration. Wood will review current cases attacking copyright registrations and discuss how to avoid these issues. Intellectual Property Section members save on registration costs. Not a member? Join now!

Obion County Mayor Steve Carr on Sunday declared a state of emergency in the town of Rives, after the Obion River breached levees and flooded the 250-person town. Obion County Emergency Management Agency Director Danny Jowers said that while the damage is devastating to the small community, it’s likely not enough to qualify for federal assistance for disaster recovery, reports the Tennessee Lookout. Gov. Bill Lee toured damage in Obion County and shared information about overnight shelters and warming shelters. The Rives flooding comes weeks after the Tennessee General Assembly approved a disaster relief package for communities recovering from Hurricane Helene on the opposite end of the state.

The Tennessee Supreme Court held official proceedings inside the Old Supreme Court Chamber at the Tennessee State Capitol for the first time in more than 10 years on Feb. 12. “This is an historic occasion, a homecoming of sorts for our court,” said Chief Justice Holly Kirby. “The Tennessee Supreme Court held its court proceedings in this very room for about three quarters of a century, until 1936 when the Supreme Court moved to the fancy new building down the street.” The historic event brought together all three branches of state government — executive, judicial and legislative — under the Capitol dome. Gov. Bill Lee said of the occasion, "The legislature is in session. The governor’s office is alive and well down there, I can say. We will be signing a bill into law today. There is work being done by all branches of government in this building. It’s historic, it’s important and it’s government at work on behalf of the people.” Read more in a press release from the Administrative Office of the Courts.

Chattanooga law firm Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel recently announced that Steve Barham has been elected to serve as the firm's president and managing shareholder, succeeding Mark Cunningham. Barham previously served as chair of the Litigation & Risk Management Section and as the firm’s general counsel. “I am honored to take on this leadership role at Chambliss,” said Barham. “Throughout my time with the firm, we’ve seen incredible growth and success ... I am committed to supporting [our clients] in achieving their goals moving forward.” The firm also announced that John Jackson will succeed Barham as section chair while shareholder Andrew “Andy” Leffler will chair the Real Estate Practice Section. Barham said the pair "bring strong leadership and a commitment to fostering collaboration, and we look forward to seeing how they will continue to move our firm forward."