News
April 17, 2020
In a collection case against a Hamilton County auto parts store, the Tennessee Supreme Court today clarified the procedure and jurisdiction for an appeal from a county general sessions court to a state circuit court. The Supreme Court found that when defendants appeal a general sessions judgment to…
April 17, 2020
The Supreme Court announced today that, in addition to the July bar examination currently scheduled to take place July 28 - 29, 2020, the Board of Law Examiners will offer an examination on September 30 – October 1, 2020 (the “October Exam”). Applicants who previously submitted an application for…
April 14, 2020
The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) is now accepting grant applications for the Parent Education and Mediation Fund (“PEMF”) and the Victim Offender Reconciliation Program (“VORP”) for the 2020-2021 fiscal year. The PEMF and VORP grants for the 2020 – 2021 fiscal year will run from…
April 14, 2020
Faith leaders, judicial branch members, and community partners from across Tennessee will gather online on April 21 for the 2020 Tennessee Faith and Justice Summit. Participants will consider the ways faith and justice intersect, learn about free legal resources available to better serve…
April 9, 2020
The Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program (TLAP) has created a resource guide to assist attorneys who may be facing extra stress and pressure because of the coronavirus outbreak and related closures. TLAP is a free, confidential assistance program providing consultation, referral, intervention, and…
April 9, 2020
The latest edition of the Tennessee Court Talk podcast features an inside look at the state’s chancery courts. There are chancery courts in every judicial district, and Tennessee is only one of five states to have these special equity courts. The podcast features: Chancellor JB Cox, serving the…
April 8, 2020
Now more than ever, Tennesseans need assistance with civil legal issues, and the Tennessee Supreme Court Access to Justice Commission is kicking off its annual Help4TNDay celebration on April 8. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the tornadoes that ripped through Middle Tennessee in…
April 6, 2020
The Tennessee Supreme Court today upheld a local rule of court requiring bail bonding companies to have an agent present at court appearances of defendants for whom the bail bonding company serves as surety.The case arose in Van Buren County, Tennessee, part of the 31st Judicial District of…
April 3, 2020
For the first time in history, on Wednesday, April 1, 2020, the Tennessee Supreme Court held an oral argument by video conference. A recording of the video conference oral argument is available on the Supreme Court’s…
April 3, 2020
During his 25-year tenure on the Tennessee Court of Appeals, Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr. won respect and recognition for his well-written opinions and indomitable spirit. The widespread admiration for Judge Susano among Tennessee’s judicial and legislative leaders was evident at a retirement…
April 2, 2020
The Tennessee Supreme Court entered an Order today approving temporary changes to provisions of Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 7 to address ongoing concerns with the July 2020 bar exam in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The bar exam is currently scheduled for July 28-29 and the Order provides some…
April 1, 2020
The Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury issued the FY 2018-19 Tennessee Judicial Weighted Caseload Study in March 2020. The state has estimated a net deficit of 8.53 full-time equivalent judges. In the previous year, there was a deficit of 6.51 judges and, in 2017, there was a deficit of 6.51…
March 30, 2020
For the first time in history, on Wednesday, April 1, 2020, the Tennessee Supreme Court will hold an oral argument by video conference. This new approach is part of efforts by courts at all levels to find innovative and creative ways to continue to conduct essential court business across the…
March 27, 2020
The Tennessee Supreme Court has recently filed several orders and modified policies to help attorneys navigate the covid-19 pandemic and mitigate its impact. While courts across the state are open, some in-person court proceedings have been suspended through April 30. The Court has filed orders or…
March 25, 2020
The Tennessee Supreme Court today issued an Order reiterating that all Tennessee courts will remain open during the coronavirus outbreak, but extending the suspension of most in-person judicial proceedings through April 30,…
March 23, 2020
The Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program (TLAP) is open and ready to assist attorneys who may be facing extra stress and pressure because of the coronavirus outbreak and related closures. TLAP is a free, confidential assistance program providing consultation, referral, intervention, and crisis…
March 19, 2020
Former Tennessee Court of Appeals Judge Herschel P. Franks, whose 42 years on the bench constitute one of the longest judicial tenures in state history, passed away March 19 at the age of 89.Judge Franks was first appointed to the 11th Judicial District Chancery Court in 1970. In 1978, he was…
March 18, 2020
The Tennessee Supreme Court ruled today that Shelby County firefighter Paul Zachary Moss received sufficient notice of the reasons for his termination to satisfy constitutional due process requirements.While off duty from his job as a firefighter, Moss went to a political rally after consuming…
March 13, 2020
The Tennessee Supreme Court today issued an Order stating all Tennessee courts will remain open during the coronavirus outbreak, but suspending all in-person judicial proceedings through March 31, 2020. Chief Justice…
March 11, 2020
Longtime Memphis attorney and Access to Justice advocate George T. “Buck” Lewis III was honored recently in Nashville with a special certificate of recognition from the Tennessee Supreme Court. Chief Justice Jeff Bivins, Justice Connie Clark, and Justice Holly Kirby all spoke at a special ceremony…