United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) introduced Brian Charles Lea, President Donald Trump’s nominee for District Judge for the Western District of Tennessee, at a Senate Judiciary Committee nomination hearing on December 17, 2025.
During his remarks, Hagerty highlighted Lea’s background and qualifications. “It is my privilege to introduce Brian Charles Lea—President Trump’s nominee to be District Judge for the Western District of Tennessee,” Hagerty said.
Hagerty noted that although Lea is a fourth-generation Memphian, he was born in Montreal while his father, Charlie Lea, was playing baseball there. Charlie Lea was an ace pitcher for the Montreal Expos and later worked with the Memphis Redbirds. A statue honoring him stands in downtown Memphis in front of the stadium.
Turning to Brian Lea’s credentials, Hagerty stated: “He earned his undergraduate degree at Union University with a nearly perfect GPA. At the University of Georgia Law School, Brian somehow did even better. With A-pluses in fifteen classes, he finished at the very top with a 4.06 GPA.”
Lea clerked for Judge Ed Carnes on the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals and then for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. He also served as a law professor co-teaching with Justice Thomas and became a partner at Jones Day law firm.
“In a noteworthy case, Brian served as lead counsel for our colleague, Senator Graham, asserting our legislative privileges under the U.S. Constitution,” Hagerty said.
This year, Lea has been Deputy Associate Attorney General in the Department of Justice where he coordinates litigation strategy across numerous high-stakes cases.
Hagerty described Lea’s temperament: “Not only are Brian’s credentials impressive, I have been impressed by Brian’s temperament. He has the patience, courtesy, humility, and thoughtfulness of a good trial judge.”
Hagerty also praised Lea’s legal scholarship: “I think you also will be impressed…by Brian’s intellect—consider his insightful law review articles on standing and severability, one of which has been cited four times by the U.S. Supreme Court.”
On judicial philosophy: “And most impressive is Brian’s appreciation for our constitutional system…He recognizes that the Constitution should be interpreted according to its original meaning…”
“I am confident Brian will uphold the highest standards of our judiciary,” Hagerty concluded. “I urge you to quickly advance his nomination.”
Senator Hagerty represents Tennessee as a Republican in the U.S. Senate according to his official website. His office operates multiple district locations across Tennessee—including Chattanooga, Knoxville and Tri-Cities—and maintains an office in Washington D.C., providing services such as casework assistance and support with federal agencies as outlined online. For the 119th Congress announced January 8th 2025,Hagerty holds committee assignments on Banking; Housing and Urban Affairs; Foreign Relations; Appropriations; and Rules and Administration.
