The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a challenge to a Tennessee law restricting some drag performances, allowing the first-in-the-nation law to remain largely intact, The Hill reports. In a brief, unsigned order, the justices denied Friends of George’s request to intervene after a three judge panel of the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals allowed the law to take effect, overturning a district court judge in Memphis, who had blocked the law. The full court of appeals declined to hear the case, leading the group to appeal to the Supreme Court. The law targets “adult-oriented performances” that take place in public or where they may be seen by minors. The paper reports that the theater group did not respond to a request for comment.

Former Tennessee state senator Brian Kelsey has reported to federal prison after exhausting all appeals in his case, the Daily Memphian reports. He will be housed at a minimum-security satellite camp at FCI Ashland in Kentucky. Kelsey pleaded guilty in 2022 to an illegal campaign finance scheme but then tried unsuccessfully to change his plea. He had argued that his guilty plea was entered into with an “unsure heart and a confused mind” due to events in his personal life. He later argued that he had ineffective legal counsel, and that his claim of innocence was supported by two key witnesses. U.S. District Judge Waverly Crenshaw in Nashville denied the final appeal a few days ago.

TBA YLD members will be voting on one contested election this year. Ballots were sent by email yesterday and are due back by March 9. Two candidates are running for District 9 representative on the YLD Board: Nashville lawyer Ginny Blake and Hendersonville lawyer Kaley Bonett. The email was sent from Intelliscan Inc. Those who did not receive the email in their inbox should check their spam folder. If it still was not received, members should contact elections@tnbar.org to request that it be resent. Learn more about the candidates.

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.

The Tennessee court system continues to navigate difficulties providing legal representation to indigent individuals who are guaranteed counsel. The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) on behalf of the Tennessee Supreme Court has proposed a plan to address these challenges. Among the innovative elements of the plan is a proposal to utilize strategic and flexible contracting with attorneys. Contracts with attorneys would be tailored to fit the qualifications of the attorney, the complexity of the case type and the particular needs of the judicial district. In addition, attorneys would have options like committing to indigent representation for a percentage of their time, allowing appointed cases to be balanced with other clients. Learn more about the plan and indigent representation in Tennessee. Watch for more details about the plan in upcoming issues of TBA Today.

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.