Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 13 authorizes the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) to enter into contracts for representation of indigent litigants by attorneys working on various types of cases, including representation of indigent Respondents facing involuntary emergency judicial hospitalization pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 33-6-401 et seq.
The AOC is seeking attorneys who are interested in contracting with the AOC to perform these services in Wilson County. Currently, attorneys must file individual claims for each hospitalization. The contracts will assist in streamlining this process. All licensed attorneys are invited to apply.
Similar contract programs exist in Blount, Davidson, Hamilton, Hardin, and Shelby Counties.
Judges will continue to have the discretion to assign attorneys, but only attorneys who have agreed to do this work on these terms will receive appointments. Attorneys will simply submit an invoice to the AOC (as opposed to completing numerous fee claims) for each docket along with a copy of the order appointing him or her to that docket (preferably on a single document).
Because the number of claims associated with the cases will be reduced, attorneys will be paid more quickly. This system will result in a lower average payment for each individual represented, but the AOC believes attorneys will receive reasonable compensation for the time truly spent on a docket. The goal is not to displace attorneys who currently do the work; the goal is to manage the resources given to the indigent fund by the taxpayers in the most efficient way possible.
To apply, complete and return this form (Word or PDF) to the AOC via fax at 615-741-6285 or email to David.Byrne@tncourts.gov.
For more information, contact David Byrne at 615-741-2687 or via email at David.Byrne@tncourts.gov.