December 1, 2023
The Tennessee judiciary is reflecting on the legacy of the late Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, who passed away on December 1, 2023, at the age of 93. Justice O’Connor made history in 1981 when she was the first female appointed to the Supreme Court of the United States. Justice O’Connor was also a…
November 21, 2023
It’s the season of Thanksgiving and several families in Tennessee’s first judicial district are feeling thankful, grateful and blessed as the holiday nears. These families adopted 12 children on November 16 inside Chancellor John C. Rambo’s courtroom.
“National Adoption Day holds a special place…
November 15, 2023
Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced two key judicial appointments for state courts.
“I am proud to announce the appointment of these highly qualified individuals and value the significant experience they will bring to their respective roles,” Governor Lee said. “I appreciate their…
November 13, 2023
The Board of Judicial Conduct issued a Public Reprimand of 20th Judicial District Chancellor Russell T. Perkins. Read the reprimand here.
October 31, 2023
The Board of Judicial Conduct issued a Public Reprimand for Judge A. Melissa Boyd. Read the reprimand here.
October 27, 2023
On October 6, Judge Ashleigh Travis was sworn in as the seventh judge of the 19th Judicial District by Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Jill Bartee Ayers.
In her remarks, Judge Ayers recalled the time she and her colleagues appointed Judge Travis to the position of child support magistrate…
October 16, 2023
Memphis Circuit Court Judge Valerie L. Smith was recently elected by her colleagues across the state to serve as president of the Tennessee Judicial Conference, which is comprised of all state trial and appellate judges. For the first time in the organization’s history, the president’s gavel…
October 3, 2023
Across the state of Tennessee, many judges are struggling to effectively administer justice in their courtrooms. The state must rely on court-appointed attorneys to provide mandatory legal counsel, but the pool of available attorneys has shrunk considerably.
“Every day we hear from judges who…
September 29, 2023
After years of planning, grant applications, hiring, and meetings, the 19th Judicial District has launched a Mental Health Court.
“When I started regularly hearing criminal cases here in the 19th, I noticed that certain defendants were cycling through my courtroom,” Judge Kathryn W. Olita said. “A…
September 28, 2023
Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced three key judicial appointments for newly created state courts.
“I am proud to announce the appointment of these highly qualified individuals and value the significant experience they will bring to their respective roles,” said Governor Lee. “I…