State Rep. Brandon Ogles, R-Franklin, says he will not seek a third term in the Tennessee House, TNJ: On the Hill reports. Ogles was elected in 2018 on a platform that included opposing school vouchers, but later became a key ally to then-House Speaker Glen Casada, R-Franklin, and voted for the voucher measure in a controversial 50-48 floor vote in 2019. In a tweet, Ogles said he now has been offered “an opportunity to be an advocate for victims of violent crimes.”

Former Department of Correction Commissioner Tony Parker is concerned that the truth in sentencing bill now moving through the state legislature would make it harder to incentivize positive behavior and programming inside our prisons. WPLN radio in Nashville looks at the criminal justice bill (HB2656 / SB2248) and analyses what it would mean for the state, its prison population and crime victims.

Luvell Glanton’s bid to remain on the ballot for the Circuit Court Division VIII seat in Davidson County suffered another setback Wednesday when a senior judge denied Glanton’s petition for a writ of certiorari to reverse a Davidson County Election Commission ruling on his eligibility to be on the Democratic primary ballot. The Nashville Post reports that Senior Judge Don Ash, standing in for Davidson County chancellors who recused themselves, wrote that the commission “clearly has the authority to make such determinations concerning the requirements of candidates to be placed on the ballot.”

A 102-year-old military veteran who was a prosecutor at the Nuremberg war crimes trials will share his story of hope and justice with a Nashville audience on April 26, in partnership with Chabad of Nashville. Benjamin B. Ferencz “reminds us that we all have a responsibility to take a stand against injustice today,” said Rabbi Yitzchok Tiechtel with Chabad of Nashville. “His story is powerful and moving, and I’m confident that every attendee, whether virtual or in-person, will be inspired by his message to live more purposefully and intentionally.” General admission tickets start at $15 for virtual and $25 for in-person attendees at Congregation Micah in Brentwood.

TBA Legislative Updates podcast is now streaming with TBA Public Policy & Government Affairs Director Berkley Schwarz and Adams and Reese attorneys and TBA lobbyists Brad Lampley and Ashley Harbin. This week, lawmakers and the Tennessee Supreme Court bid farewell to outgoing Administrative Office of the Courts Director Deborah Taylor Tate, Gov. Bill Lee made three new judicial appointments and Brad gives an update on the professional privilege tax. To see a list of all of TBA’s bills, visit our online bill tracker. Legislative Updates airs every Thursday on the TBA’s Facebook page. It is also released as a podcast on the same day and can be found on the TBA’s website or wherever you listen to podcasts.

By order of the Tennessee Supreme Court, the law license of Hamilton County lawyer William Robert Heck was transferred to disability inactive status today. Heck may not practice law while on inactive status. He may return to the practice of law after reinstatement by the court upon showing that his disability has been removed.

The U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee on March 23 declared Tennessee’s law requiring a license for an online auction to be unconstitutional. The case was brought by Beacon Center of Tennessee and Southeastern Legal Foundation on behalf of Will McLemore and Aaron McKee, two auctioneers who innovated the use of an online platform for auctioneering, and the Interstate Auction Association, an unincorporated association dedicated to innovation in auctioneering. Tennessee enacted the law in 2019, making it one of the first states in the country to impose a license on online auctions. Judge Eli Richardson ruled that the law violated the Constitution’s Commerce Clause by trying to regulate interstate commerce in the form of an internet style auction.

The candidate filing deadline is not until April 7, but several state lawmakers have already given notice they do not plan to seek another term. Two others have either stepped down or been ousted from their respective chambers amid federal charges. Tennessee Journal has the running tally.

The Administrative Office of the Courts today reminded all Rule 31 Listed Mediators that they must renew their listing annually or the listing will lapse. The 2022 listing renewal season will close tomorrow. To continue as a Rule 31 Listed Mediator, submit a renewal application and renewal fee. A Rule 31 Mediator also must complete all six biennial Continuing Mediation Education (CME) hours if they are now due. A mediator whose credentials have lapsed for failure to comply with CME requirements must re-apply for listing. Get details about the renewal process.

As 20th Judicial District Circuit Court Judge David Randall Kennedy eyes his upcoming retirement in August, he is reflecting on his 19 years on the bench. From dealing with would-be country music stars to Zoom mishaps during the pandemic, Kennedy says serving on the court has been a blessing. He has handled “more conservator cases than any other judge in Tennessee” and says it is an honor to help those who can no longer care for themselves. Prior to being appointed to the court, Kennedy was in private practice at Kennedy & Brown. He also served two terms on the Metro Nashville Council. He earned his law degree from the Nashville School of Law in 1977. After Aug. 31, he says he will support his successor, spend quality time with his wife and travel more. The Administrative Office of the Courts looks back at his career.