News
May 5, 2023
In an opinion released today, the Tennessee Supreme Court extended its previous holdings with respect to civil defendants in Parrish v. Marquis, 172 S.W.3d 526, 531 (Tenn. 2005), and Himmelfarb v. Allain, 380 S.W.3d 35 (Tenn. 2012), and held that a criminal defendant can pursue a claim for…
May 2, 2023
The Open Meetings Act, an inside look at investigative journalism, and covering state and local government were just a few of the topics that drew Tennessee news reporters to the annual TBA Reporters Workshop. The workshop was held April 28-29, in Nashville and served as an opportunity for state…
April 20, 2023
Joseph Byrd has joined the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts as the lead attorney for the newly created Indigent Services Team. In his new role, Byrd will manage the team that oversees the indigent representation program, which provides court-appointed attorneys in certain types of…
April 18, 2023
Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee appointed Jamie Brooks as chancellor for the 7th Judicial District to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Chancellor Nichole Cantrell. Chancellor Brooks' appointment is effective immediately.
“Jamie is a highly qualified attorney who will bring…
April 12, 2023
Davidson County Juvenile Court Judge Sheila Calloway was named the 2023 Nashville ATHENA Traditional Recipient at the 33rd Annual Nashville ATHENA Awards & Scholarship Program ceremony, held on March 31 at Nashville’s Music City Center.
According to nashvillecable.org, “This prestigious award…
April 5, 2023
The Tennessee Supreme Court Access to Justice Commission (ATJ), which offers much-needed access to civil legal services to communities in need, is celebrating Help4TNMonth. Help4TNMonth is an annual celebration held during the month of April. Its purpose is to offer Tennesseans free assistance with…
April 4, 2023
At a recent graduation ceremony of the Monroe County General Sessions Veterans Court, special guest Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Sharon Lee was on-hand to congratulate the graduates and receive the George P. Thomas Memorial Award for her contributions to the program.
In accepting the award,…
April 4, 2023
The Tennessee Supreme Court has three cases set for its April 5, 2023, docket. The first two cases will be heard in Jackson, Tennessee, beginning at 9 a.m., CDT. The final case will be submitted on briefs. The cases will be livestreamed to the TNCourts YouTube page at: …
April 3, 2023
The Tennessee judiciary is mourning the loss of former Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice William Muecke Barker, who passed away on April 3, 2023, at the age of 81. Former Chief Justice Barker was from Chattanooga and spent 25 years on the judicial bench, 10 as a justice on the Tennessee Supreme…
March 30, 2023
The Tennessee Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges Executive Committee has issued the following statement:
It is with overwhelming sadness that we write this statement in response to the tragic events in Nashville on Monday.
Children who went to school on Monday, and staff who went to…
March 30, 2023
General Sessions courts are often referred to as “the court of first resort,” “the people’s court,” or “small claims court.” In Tennessee, General Sessions courts have broad jurisdiction over civil claims and play a key role in almost every criminal prosecution in the state. Join Judges Lee Bussart…
March 21, 2023
The Tennessee Supreme Court ruled today that the Shelby County Civil Service Merit Board did not act arbitrarily or capriciously by affirming the termination of Shelby County firefighter Paul Zachary Moss without hearing evidence of discipline previously imposed on other firefighters. This is the…
March 9, 2023
Attorney Matt Wilson was confirmed today by the General Assembly as the newest member of the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals – Western Section. Wilson was appointed by Governor Bill Lee in January after a lengthy application process that included a public hearing. He fills the vacancy left…
March 9, 2023
Attorney Dwight E. Tarwater was officially confirmed by the General Assembly as the newest justice on the Tennessee Supreme Court. Justice-designate Tarwater was nominated by Governor Bill Lee in January after a lengthy application process that included a public hearing. He will take the bench on…
March 7, 2023
The Parliament of Ukraine recently reached out to the National Judicial College (NJC) for assistance with revamping its judicial system at three different levels. The NJC responded by asking nine United States judges to write position papers for the parliament. Three judges were asked to handle…
February 24, 2023
The Trial Court Vacancy Commission met today, Friday, February 24, 2023, to consider six candidates for the chancery court vacancy in the 7th Judicial District, which includes Anderson County. The vacancy was created by the resignation of the Honorable M. Nichole Cantrell, effective January 31,…
February 22, 2023
Intergovernmental Affairs Court Improvement Program Director Stacy Lynch and Project Coordinator/Staff Assistant Elizabeth Whitt recently attended the Liberating Structures Immersion Workshop with Court Improvement Programs from other states. Liberating Structures rethink how people work together…
February 21, 2023
The Tennessee Supreme Court has two cases set for its February 22, 2023 docket. The two cases will be heard in Nashville beginning at 9 a.m. CST. The cases will be livestreamed to the TNCourts YouTube page at: www.youtube.com/@TNCourts/featured. The…
February 16, 2023
Today, the Tennessee Supreme Court reversed a decision of the Court of Appeals that had allowed a plaintiff to proceed with her claims of gross negligence and recklessness against governmental entities under the Tennessee Governmental Tort Liability Act. The Tennessee Supreme Court held that the…
February 6, 2023
The Trial Court Vacancy Commission will consider six applicants when it meets on Friday, February 24 to select nominees for a vacancy in the 7th Judicial District, which covers Anderson County. The vacancy was created by the resignation of the Honorable M. Nichole Cantrell, effective January 31,…