News
April 29, 2022
The Tennessee Supreme Court today upheld the suspension of a longtime Nashville attorney for testimony he gave in personal litigation that violated the Court’s ethics rules for lawyers. The Court found that, by choosing not to tell the whole truth in his testimony, the attorney failed to fulfill…
April 20, 2022
The Tennessee Supreme Court today held that the standard of appellate review for an alleged speedy trial violation is de novo with deference to the trial court’s factual findings. The Court also concluded that the trial court committed reversible error in allowing improper impeachment of a key…
April 18, 2022
Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Norma McGee Ogle was appointed to the bench by Governor Don Sundquist in 1998. It was a career move that wasn’t on her radar, despite that fact that judgeship runs in her family.“It was something that I had not really thought too much about because my husband (…
April 14, 2022
The Tennessee Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (TCJFCJ) presented Henry County General Sessions and Juvenile Court Judge Vicki S. Snyder with the Presidential Leadership Award at its recent conference.“I’m just humbled and honored at the award from the Tennessee Council of Juvenile and…
April 13, 2022
In an opinion released today, the Tennessee Supreme Court vacated an injunction issued by a three-judge panel that prevented the enforcement of the reapportionment plan enacted by the Tennessee General Assembly for state senatorial districts.Following the 2020 census, the General Assembly…
April 12, 2022
Thinking about becoming a judge? Judge D. Kelly Thomas, Jr. advises bringing your patience and a good sense of humor.“There was a murder defendant that told me it was a kangaroo court and I was a chicken s--t judge,” said Judge Thomas. “I thought, you know, I could find him in contempt, but giving…
April 11, 2022
The Tennessee Supreme Court issued an Order on its own motion late Friday taking jurisdiction of Akilah Moore v. William Lee, et al, which involves redistricting for state senate seats. The Order can be found…
April 11, 2022
Davidson County Criminal Court Judge Mark J. Fishburn is not only looking forward to retiring later this year, he’s looking forward to returning to the bench this month. Judge Fishburn was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and underwent chemotherapy to treat it in June 2021. This February, he…
April 5, 2022
The Court of Appeals in-person oral arguments came full circle on March 11, by returning to Belmont University Law School. The previous in-person session was held on campus just over two years ago, March 4, 2020. Soon after, the Covid-19 pandemic forced the courts to transition to a virtual format…
April 4, 2022
Judge Katerina Vatulina Moore was born in Ukraine. She grew up in Zaporizhzhia, a city in the south-eastern part of the country, known for its multiple power stations. In fact, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is the largest nuclear power station in Europe. When Judge Moore watches the…
April 1, 2022
The Tennessee Supreme Court has eight cases set for its April 2022 docket. The first two cases will be heard in Jackson on April 5 beginning at 9 a.m. Five cases will be heard in Nashville on April 6 beginning at 9 a.m. The final case will be submitted on briefs. Oral arguments will be livestreamed…
March 31, 2022
The General Assembly honored Deborah Taylor Tate with a Joint House Resolution on the House floor today. Tate retired from her post as Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) in February.
Representative Andrew Farmer and Representative William Lamberth led efforts to establish…
March 30, 2022
Final Rule 31 Listing Renewal Deadline March 31, 2022 All Rule 31 Listed Mediators must renew annually or their listing will lapse. The 2022 listing renewal season will close on March 31, 2022.To continue as a Rule 31 Listed Mediator, one must submit a renewal application and a renewal…
March 29, 2022
Judge Kennedy’s had a lot of memorable moments in his courtroom over the past 19 years. However, the use of Zoom and WebEx, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, gave a whole new meaning to crazy court incidents. So much so that his staff believes this memorable moment from February 2022 is one for the…
March 28, 2022
Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced appointments to three judicial positions across the state.The following Tennesseans have been appointed:Professor Jeffrey Usman– Court of Appeals, Middle DivisionJudge Tom Greenholtz– Court of Criminal Appeals, Eastern DivisionJudge Kyle Hixson– Court of…
March 25, 2022
The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) is seeking a qualified person for the position of General Counsel.The General Counsel performs administrative legal work across all areas of the AOC, and communicates effectively and respectfully. He or she is well-versed and confident in his or her…
March 23, 2022
Justice Sharon G. Lee will receive the Grayfred Gray Public Service in Mediation Award for her innovative and lasting contributions to the field of mediation at the annual meeting of the Tennessee Association of Professional Mediators (TAPM) on April 8, 2022. The award is part of the celebration of…
March 18, 2022
The Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments met today to consider five applicants for the imminent vacancy on the Court of Appeals Middle Section. After holding a public hearing and conducting public interviews, the Council selected the following applicants:…
March 18, 2022
The Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth (TCCY) honored Davidson County Juvenile Court Judge Sheila Calloway with the Senator Douglas Henry Public Official of the Year Award at its annual Children’s Advocacy Days, March 8-9.
“I never met Senator Henry. He was a true public servant. Everyone…
March 16, 2022
Hamilton County General Sessions Judge Gary Starnes was presented the 2021 Leon Ruben Memorial Award for Excellence at the spring 2022 General Sessions Judges Conference.This award is given out annually to a judge or judges who distinguish themselves through their outstanding service to the…