News
April 3, 2025
Tennessee State Trooper Tara Lee joined the Capitol Protection Unit in 2016, working various posts to learn the functions and requirements of each one. One of those posts was at the Tennessee Supreme Court, and it wasn’t long before court staff realized she was someone special.“I was told by my…
April 1, 2025
Nashville, Tenn. - The Tennessee Supreme Court has two cases set for its April 9, 2025, docket in Jackson, Tennessee. The two cases are related actions involving similar legal issues. The cases will be heard at the Tennessee Supreme Court building in Jackson, beginning at 9:00 a.m. CST…
March 26, 2025
Nashville, Tenn. – In a case filed in Hamilton County, the Tennessee Supreme Court today held that Tennessee law does not prohibit a private employer from firing an employee for exercising the right to petition the government granted under the Tennessee Constitution.The case began in 2021, during…
March 24, 2025
Judge Steven W. Sword was confirmed to the Court of Criminal Appeals, Eastern Division, by the General Assembly today. He was appointed to the intermediate appellate court by Governor Bill Lee on Feb. 28, 2025, after a recommendation from the Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments. Judge…
March 24, 2025
Judge Valerie L. Smith was confirmed to the Court of Appeals, Western Division, by the General Assembly today. She was appointed to the intermediate court by Governor Bill Lee on Feb. 28, 2025, at the recommendation of the Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments. Judge Smith fills the vacancy…
March 11, 2025
Nashville, Tenn. – The Trial Court Vacancy Commission met in Chattanooga to select nominees for a circuit court judge in the 11th Judicial District, which covers Hamilton County.After holding a public hearing and conducting public interviews, the Commission selected the following nominees to…
March 10, 2025
The Tennessee Supreme Court today upheld the suspension of a Shelby County attorney’s law license for violating the ethics rules for lawyers. The lawyer, Daryl A. Gray, was the subject of two complaints to the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility, which enforces the ethics rules for…
March 7, 2025
The Tennessee Supreme Court held today in Robin M. McNabb v. Gregory H. Harrison, that Tennessee’s Constitution requires municipal judges to reside in the city where they will be assigned. Here, the candidate elected as Lenoir City Municipal Judge did not satisfy the constitutional residency…
March 6, 2025
Nashville, Tenn. – Today, the Tennessee Supreme Court issued an opinion in State v. William Rimmel III affirming Rimmel’s conviction for attempted aggravated assault but reversing his conviction for reckless endangerment with a handgun.Rimmel’s convictions arose from a 2018 road-rage incident on I-…
March 3, 2025
Governor Bill Lee announced two judicial appointments on Feb. 28, 2025.Judge Steven W. Sword was appointed to the Court of Criminal Appeals, Eastern Division, and Judge Valerie L. Smith was appointed to the Court of Appeals, Western Division.Judge Sword currently serves as a Criminal Court Judge…
February 26, 2025
Nashville, Tenn. - Today, the Tennessee Supreme Court issued an opinion in Leah Gilliam v. David Gerregano, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Revenue et al.,…
February 14, 2025
The Tennessee Supreme Court heard held court proceedings inside the Old Supreme Court Chamber at the Tennessee State Capitol for the first time in more than ten years February 12, 2025.“This is an historic occasion, a homecoming of sorts for our court,” said Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice…
February 10, 2025
Judge Jeremy Ball was appointed Circuit Cout Judge of the fourth judicial district, which covers Cocke, Grainger, Jefferson and Sevier counties, by Governor Bill Lee on Jan. 17, 2025. He was sworn into office on January 21 with his wife, Shelley, and daughter, Dana, by his side.“Dana actually led…
February 5, 2025
Nashville, Tenn. – The Trial Court Vacancy Commission will consider five applicants when it meets March 11, 2025 in Chattanooga to select nominees for a circuit court judge vacancy in the 11th Judicial District which covers Hamilton County. The applicants are:Charles W. Gilbreath IIChristina R…
February 4, 2025
On Jan. 28, 2025, the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals held oral arguments for its Knoxville docket at the University of Tennessee College of Law. Sitting for the court were Judges Robert H. Montgomery, Tom Greenholtz, and Kyle A. Hixson, all of whom are University of Tennessee College of Law…
February 4, 2025
Nashville, Tenn. - The Tennessee Supreme Court will hear oral arguments at two locations in Nashville, Tennessee, on February 12, 2025. In the morning, beginning at 10:30 a.m. CST, the Court will hear one case at the Tennessee Supreme Court building in Nashville. A second case will be…
February 3, 2025
On Jan. 28, 2025, the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals held oral arguments for its Knoxville docket at the University of Tennessee College of Law. Sitting for the court were Judges Robert H. Montgomery, Tom Greenholtz, and Kyle A. Hixson, all of whom are University of Tennessee College of Law…
January 24, 2025
Chancellor Kyle was elected to the bench in 2014 and spent the next 10 years serving the people of the 30th judicial district, which covers Shelby County.“Having a judicial career has meant a lot to me,” said Chancellor Kyle. “In every job I’ve had it’s been important to me to feel I am helping…
Tennessee Supreme Court Clarifies Interplay Between Health Care Liability Act and the Saving Statute
January 22, 2025
Nashville, Tenn.- Today the Tennessee Supreme Court held that a plaintiff, who did not refile a negligence lawsuit against Vanderbilt University Medical Center within the required one-year time frame, could not assert an extension based on the Health Care Liability Act.The case began when Plaintiff…
January 22, 2025
Nashville, Tenn. – In an opinion released today, the Tennessee Supreme Court clarified that holding shareholders responsible for the actions of a corporation, known legally as “piercing the corporate veil,” requires three separate elements: control, wrongdoing, and causation. The Court also…