COURT OF APPEALS OPINIONS

Dorothy Lavon W. Coleman v. Keith M. Coleman (ShawnCoulson, LLP, Wheeler & Franks Law Firm, P.C., Movants in Fee Dispute) - Dissenting Opinion
W2012-02183-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge J. Steven Stafford
Trial Court Judge: Judge John R. McCarroll, Jr.

The majority opinion in this case is detailed and thorough. However, because I disagree with the basic premise upon which the majority opinion rests, I must dissent. The majority opinion concludes that the trial court had subject matter jurisdiction to consider and award Shawn Coulson its requested fee on the basis of the contractual attorney lien included in Ms. Coleman’s contract with Shawn Coulson. I respectfully disagree, and instead, conclude that the trial court lacked subject matter jurisdiction to award Shawn Coulson its requested fee in this matter.

Shelby Court of Appeals

Pierre Wright v. Staff Line LLC, et al.
W2013-01726-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Per Curiam
Trial Court Judge: Judge Arnold B. Goldin

Appellant’s failure to timely file a notice of appeal deprives this court of jurisdiction to hear the matter and this appeal must be dismissed.

Shelby Court of Appeals

In the Matter of: Zoe E.W.
W2012-01743-COA-R3-JV
Authoring Judge: Per Curiam
Trial Court Judge: Judge Curtis S. Person, Jr.

Because the order appealed is not a final judgment, we dismiss this appeal for lack of jurisdiction.

Court of Appeals

Tammy Milam v. James Milam
M2012-01659-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Frank G. Clement, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: Judge Michael R. Jones

Mother appeals from the trial court’s post-divorce modification decreasing Father’s child support obligation. Finding no error, we affirm. We have also determined that Father is entitled to recover the reasonable and necessary attorney’s fees he incurred in this appeal  pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 36-5-103(c).

Montgomery Court of Appeals

Lee Stevens & Denise Stevens, Individually and D/B/A Timber Ridge Horse Campground Et Al. v. Robert H. Livingston And Ridge Toppers Trail Association, Inc.
M2012-02562-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Frank G. Clement, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: Chancerllor Billy Joe White

Plaintiffs/appellants, who are owners of real property in a residential community that was developed for horse riding enthusiasts, filed this action to enforce restrictive covenants that prohibit the use of motorized vehicles on trails in the residential community. At the hearing on the defendants’ motions to dismiss, all of the parties agreed to the entry of an order prohibiting the use of any motorized vehicles on horse trails within four specified sections that contained the restrictive covenants; at the same hearing, the parties also agreed with the trial court’s statement that all other claims would be dismissed. A Final Order was entered that was consistent with the parties’ agreement. Although the plaintiffs consented in open court to the order that was entered and they did not file a motion to alter or amend that order, plaintiffs now appeal from that order. On appeal, they contend they were deprived of the opportunity to put on evidence at the hearing on the motions to dismiss; they also contend the court erred in dismissing all other claims. Finding the plaintiffs expressly consented in open court to the entry of the order appealed from, that the plaintiffs made no request to introduce evidence, and that they agreed to the dismissal of all other claims, we have determined that the plaintiffs waived all issues raised in this appeal. Therefore, we affirm the trial court. Defendants contend this was a frivolous appeal and have requested damages. Exercising our discretion, we respectfully deny the defendants request for damages.

Fentress Court of Appeals

Julie Speck and Kevin Speck v. Woman's Clinic, PA and Dr. Ryan Roy
W2012-02111-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
Trial Court Judge: Judge Roy B. Morgan, Jr.

This appeal involves inquiry notice of the claimed injury for purposes of triggering the medical malpractice one-year statute of limitations. The plaintiffs, a married couple with four children, wanted to prevent the conception of another child. To that end, the plaintiff wife underwent a procedure to prevent pregnancy at the defendant medical clinic. About a year later, she became pregnant. The wife later gave birth to a healthy baby boy. The plaintiffs filed this medical malpractice lawsuit against the clinic and the treating physician, claiming the wife’s pregnancy as the injury. The defendants filed a motion for summary judgment, arguing that the plaintiffs’ claim was barred under the applicable one-year statute of limitations. The trial court held that the wife was put on notice of her pregnancy by, at the very latest, the day that she obtained a positive result on a home pregnancy test; it held that the claim was time-barred on that basis and granted the defendants’ motion for summary judgment. The plaintiffs’ subsequent motion to alter or amend was denied. The plaintiffs now appeal. Discerning no error, we affirm.

Madison Court of Appeals

In Re: Trevor M.K.W.
W2013-00299-COA-R3-PT
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Trial Court Judge: Judge Van McMahan

The juvenile court terminated Father’s parental rights to Son on the grounds of abandonment and persistence of conditions, and upon its finding that termination is in Son’s best interest. We affirm the termination of Father’s parental rights to Son.

McNairy Court of Appeals

Kenneth E. Diggs v. LaSalle National Bank Association, et al.
W2013-01121-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge J. Steven Stafford
Trial Court Judge: Chancellor Arnold B. Goldin

This appeal results from the trial court’s dismissal of a complaint on the basis of res judicata.  However, in his appellate brief, the Appellant fails to raise as an issue the trial court's application of the doctrine of res judicata, or the resulting dismissal. Because the Appellant’s brief fails to raise and argue the dispositive issue in this case and does not otherwise comply with the requirements of the Tennessee Rules of Appellate Procedure, we decline to address the merits of the case and dismiss the appeal.

Shelby Court of Appeals

Rick P. Newman v. The Kroger Company
W2013-00296-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Trial Court Judge: Judge Robert Samual Weiss

This is a slip and fall case. Plaintiff sued The Kroger Company after he fell in a puddle of water near a freezer at a local Kroger store. The trial court granted Kroger’s motion for summary judgment, but failed to include findings indicating the reason for its decision. We find that summary judgment was inappropriate and therefore reverse the trial court’s decision and remand for further proceedings.

Shelby Court of Appeals

Ronald D. Graham, et al. v. Bradley County, Tennessee
E2012-02369-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge John W. McClarty
Trial Court Judge: Judge J. Michael Sharp

This is a negligence case in which the Grahams were severely injured when the top portion of a tree collapsed, hitting their car while they were driving in Cleveland, Tennessee. Plaintiffs filed suit against the County, alleging that the County’s failure to maintain and inspect its roadways caused the accident. The County alleged that it could not be held liable pursuant to the Tennessee Governmental Tort Liability Act, codified at Tennessee Code Annotated section 29-10-101, et. seq. Following a trial, the trial court dismissed the complaint. The Grahams appeal. We affirm the decision of the trial court.

Bradley Court of Appeals

In Re: Jamontez S., Timothy S., Janiya S., Montique S., Ann'Dreona S. K., and Shacariah S. K.
M2013-00796-COA-R3-PT
Authoring Judge: Judge Richard H. Dinkins
Trial Court Judge: Judge Sophia Crawford

Mother of six children appeals termination of her parental rights, contending that the evidence does not support the court’s holding that she abandoned the children within the meaning of the applicable statute, that she failed to comply with the requirements of permanency plans, that the conditions which led to the removal of the children from her custody persisted, and that termination of her parental rights was in the children’s best interest.  Finding no error, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Davidson Court of Appeals

Michelle Jayne Adams v. James Earl Adams, III
M2013-00577-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Trial Court Judge: Judge Stella L. Hargrove

This is an appeal from a “Final Decree of Divorce.”  Because the decree does not resolve all the claims between the parties, we dismiss the appeal for lack of a final judgment.

Maury Court of Appeals

Larry Echols v. City of Memphis
W2013-00410-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Trial Court Judge: Judge Arnold B. Goldin

A twenty-year veteran of the Memphis Police Department was terminated based upon his involvement with a private security company, in violation of departmental policies, and his untruthfulness during the department’s investigation. The officer filed a petition for review in chancery court, and the chancery court upheld his termination. The officer appeals, arguing that the chancery court should have allowed him to introduce evidence of another officer who was treated differently, in violation of his equal protection rights. He also argues that he was impermissibly punished twice for the same conduct. We affirm.

Shelby Court of Appeals

In the Matter of: Connor S. L.
W2013-00668-COA-R3-JV
Authoring Judge: Judge J. Steven Stafford
Trial Court Judge: Judge Robert W. Newell

In this second appeal of a child custody decision, Father argues that the trial court erred in naming Mother primary residential parent and in fashioning the permanent parenting plan. We conclude that the trial court did not abuse its discretion with regard to either the custody or parenting time decisions, and therefore, affirm the decision of the trial court.  Affirmed and remanded.

Carroll Court of Appeals

Stephanie Christmon Leeper v. Keith Anthony Leeper
E2012-02544-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
Trial Court Judge: Judge Thomas J. Wright

This is a post-divorce appeal. In this second appeal, the appellant challenges the trial court's ruling on his obligation as to certain expenses.  After a careful review of the record, we affirm.

Washington Court of Appeals

Tracy Hepburn v. Corrections Corporation of America, et al.
W2013-00672-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Per Curiam
Trial Court Judge: Judge J. Weber McCraw

Because the order appealed is not a final judgment, we dismiss this appeal for lack of jurisdiction.

Hardeman Court of Appeals

Lesa C. Williams, et al. v. Renard A. Hirsch, Sr.
M2012-01996-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Trial Court Judge: Judge Hamilton V. Gayden, Jr.

The trial court awarded partial summary judgment to both parties in this dispute over the division of attorney’s fees.  We affirm the trial court’s holding that Tennessee law, and not the “modern rule” is applicable to this case as a matter of law.  We reverse the trial court’s awards of summary judgment to both parties on the remaining issues, and remand for further proceedings. 
 

Davidson Court of Appeals

Jeffrey Matthew Brown v. Jennifer Lindsey (Williams) Brown
W2013-00263-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Trial Court Judge: Judge Ron Harmon

Husband filed a petition pursuant to Rule 60.02 to set aside a provision of the parties’ divorce decree that required him to pay $80,000 to Wife in accordance with an antenuptial agreement. He sought relief under Rule 60.02(2) for fraud, misrepresentation, or other misconduct of an adverse party. The trial court denied Husband’s petition and “confirmed” the divorce decree. We find that the trial court applied an incorrect legal standard, and as a result, it did not properly exercise its discretion. We also find that Wife’s conduct constituted misrepresentation or other misconduct within the meaning of Rule 60.02(2). Accordingly, we reverse the trial court’s order denying Husband’s Rule 60 petition and we vacate the challenged portion of the divorce decree.

Hardin Court of Appeals

Jeffrey Matthew Brown v. Jennifer Lindsey (Williams) Brown - Dissenting
W2013-00263-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge J. Steven Stafford
Trial Court Judge: Judge Ron Harmon

For the reasons discussed below, I must respectfully dissent from the majority’s opinion in this case.

Hardin Court of Appeals

Gorge A. Rubio v. Geneva Vaughn, et al.
W2013-00677-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Per Curiam
Trial Court Judge: Judge William C. Cole

Appellant’s failure to timely file a notice of appeal deprives this court of jurisdiction to hear the matter and this appeal must be dismissed.

Hardeman Court of Appeals

Michael M. Shofner v. Eddie Mahaffey v. Midstate Finance Company, Inc.
M2012-02061-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Trial Court Judge: Judge J. Curtis Smith

A trial court granted Third-Party Defendant’s motion to dismiss for failure to prosecute where Third-PartyPlaintiff took no steps to pursue his claims against Third-PartyDefendant more than six years after Third-PartyPlaintiff was granted a new trial, and where Third-Party Plaintiff failed to comply with the trial court’s scheduling order, thereby causing additional delays. Third-Party Plaintiff appealed, and we affirm the trial court’s judgment. Trial courts have broad discretionary authority to control their dockets and proceedings, and the court here did not abuse its discretion in dismissing Third-Party Plaintiff’s complaint against Third-Party Defendant.
 

Bedford Court of Appeals

John Wesley Green, Individually and as Shareholder of Champs-Elysees, Inc. v. Champs-Elysee, Inc. et al.
M2012-00082-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Frank G. Clement
Trial Court Judge: Chancellor Russell Perkins

Plaintiff raises a plethora of issues on appeal from an action that began as a declaratory judgment action seeking to enforce a sales contract and turned into complex litigation involving numerous claims. On appeal, Plaintiff challenges, inter alia, the trial court’s decisions regarding the exclusion of evidence pursuant to the Dead Man’s Statute, the denial of a motion to amend to add an additional party, issues related to discovery, the trial court’s grant of directed verdict on numerous claims to the Defendants, and several other rulings by the trial court. We affirm the trial court in all respects.

Davidson Court of Appeals

Bradford Stahr Fakes v. Patricia Nicole Zahorik
M2012-00817-COA-R3-JV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Trial Court Judge: Judge John Thomas Gwin

Unmarried parents who had been involved in extensive litigation over custody of their two children finally entered into an agreed order that gave custody of their six year old son to the father and custody of their two year old daughter to the mother.  Two years later, the father filed a petition for modification of custody, alleging improper conduct by the Mother. After a hearing, the trial court found that there had been a material change of circumstances and awarded the father primary custody of the little girl. The mother argues on appeal that the trial court’s final order was deficient because it did not specifically identify the material change of circumstance that justified reopening the question of custody and because the court did not apply the statutory factors found at Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106(a) to the question of the children’s best interest. We affirm the trial court.

Wilson Court of Appeals

Estate of Clyde Deuel v. The Surgical Clinic, PLLC
M2011-02610-COA-R3-Cv
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Trial Court Judge: Judge Joseph P. Binkley, Jr.

A surgeon left a sponge in the abdomen of a patient, closing the incision after receiving assurances from two operating room nurses that all the surgical sponges used in the operation had been fully accounted for. A second surgery was required to remove the sponge from the patient’s body. The patient died of unrelated causes seven months later. The patient’s widow filed a medical malpractice complaint against the surgeon and argued that the evidence of negligence was so plain that she could be excused from the normal requirement of producing expert testimony to prove that medical malpractice had occurred. The defendant surgeon presented expert testimony during trial to prove that the surgical standard of care entitled him to rely on the accuracy of the sponge count provided by his nurses. The jury returned a verdict for the defendant surgeon. The plaintiff argues on appeal that the trial court committed reversible error by allowing the use of expert testimony in a case that is based on the common knowledge exception and res ipsa loquitur. We affirm the trial court.

Davidson Court of Appeals

John D. Glass v. Suntrust Bank, et al.
W2013-00404-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Trial Court Judge: Judge Karen D. Webster

Plaintiff beneficiary filed an action challenging the reasonableness of an executor’s fee taken by SunTrust as Executor. The probate court upheld the executor’s fee, and Plaintiff then filed an action against SunTrust Bank and SunTrust as Trustee. The trial court ultimately granted summary judgment to Defendants based upon collateral estoppel and res judicata. We reverse the grant of summary judgment in favor of Defendants and we remand for further proceedings

Shelby Court of Appeals