News
May 29, 2019
Lipscomb University will host the Tennessee Supreme Court this week as part of the American Legion Auxiliary’s Volunteer Girls State program, which provides Tennessee’s high school female leaders the opportunity to experience and learn about civic engagement. On Thursday morning, the Tennessee…
May 29, 2019
The Tennessee Supreme Court today issued two opinions that presented the same legal question: whether a Circuit Court retains jurisdiction (authority) to decide post-divorce petitions seeking modifications of permanent parenting plans if the petitions include allegations that satisfy the statutory…
May 29, 2019
The Trial Court Vacancy Commission will consider five applicants when it meets on Tuesday, June 25 to select nominees for the chancery court judge vacancy in the 24th judicial district, which covers Benton, Carroll, Decatur, Hardin, and Henry counties. This vacancy was created by the appointment…
May 28, 2019
Former Chancellor Tom E. Gray, age 77, of Hendersonville, passed away peacefully, on Sunday, May 26, 2019. He served as a chancellor in the 18th Judicial District, representing Sumner County, for more than 25 years and served on the bench for more than 32 years.Chancellor Gray was born to the late…
Tennessee Supreme Court Rejects Challenge to a Search Warrant in Sexual Exploitation of a Minor Case
May 22, 2019
In an opinion released today, the Tennessee Supreme Court affirmed the validity of a search warrant used to gather evidence in a case involving charges of sexual exploitation of a minor. The defendant, Anthony Jerome Miller, was indicted on one count of sexual exploitation of a minor after a…
May 21, 2019
The Trial Vacancy Commission met today, Tuesday, May 21, 2019, to consider four candidates for the 13th Judicial District Criminal Court vacancy which covers Clay, Cumberland, DeKalb, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, and White Counties.This vacancy was created by the upcoming retirement of the Honorable…
May 20, 2019
This year marks the nineteenth year in a row that the Tennessee Supreme Court will hold oral arguments before an accomplished group of Tennessee’s high school students at American Legion Boys State. The Court session is just one element of weeklong programs in which 600 students participate to…
May 16, 2019
The Advisory Task Force on Composition of Judicial Districts will hold a public hearing in Harriman on Monday, May 20 to receive comments from those interested in sharing their thoughts on judicial districts in Tennessee. The public hearing will be held at 1 p.m. at Roane State Community College…
May 16, 2019
The Honorable James B. “Buddy” Scott, Jr., age 83, of Oak Ridge passed away on Thursday, May 9, 2019. Judge Scott became the Anderson County Circuit and Criminal Court Judge in 1978 and was reelected every election thereafter until retirement in 2005. Prior to becoming Judge, he served as the…
May 14, 2019
The Trial Court Vacancy Commission is accepting applications for a Chancery Court Judge in the 24th Judicial District, which covers Benton, Carroll, Decatur, Hardin, and Henry Counties. This vacancy was created by the appointment and confirmation of Judge Carma Dennis McGee to the Court of Appeals…
May 13, 2019
The Tennessee Supreme Court has upheld an attorney’s public censure, concluding that the sanction was not arbitrary or capricious and was supported by substantial and material evidence. This disciplinary matter arose out of Carlos Eugene Moore’s representation of his client in a personal injury…
May 8, 2019
In five separate lawsuits, the Tennessee Supreme Court held today that cities with their own school systems are not required to share with counties the tax proceeds the cities receive from the sale of liquor for on-premises consumption, called “liquor-by-the-drink.” Tennessee imposes a 15% tax…
May 8, 2019
The Nashville Bar Association recently bestowed one of its top honors on 20th Judicial District Circuit Court Judge Joe P. Binkley Jr. at its recent 2019 Law Day luncheon in Nashville.At the luncheon, Judge Binkley was named the recipient of the NBA’s annual Liberty Bell Award, which is “given to a…
May 7, 2019
The Tennessee Supreme Court today rejected the petition for reinstatement filed by a Chattanooga attorney whose law license has been suspended since 1998.In 1997, attorney Nathan E. Brooks faced serious discipline for complaints filed against him by multiple clients. In 1998, he agreed to a two-…
May 6, 2019
The Tennessee Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on May 7, 2019. The details of the cases are as follows: Tuesday, May 7, 2019Board of Professional Responsibility v. James S. MacDonald- In this attorney-discipline matter, Mr. MacDonald challenges the trial court’s determination of violations…
May 3, 2019
When Assistant Public Defender Mary Kathryn Harcombe wants to illustrate the importance of court interpretation in the legal system, she offers a thought experiment. Imagine you are in a non-English-speaking country and are arrested and brought to court. You do not understand the language of those…
April 30, 2019
Two local institutions have joined together to promote the cause of legal education and to further the legacy of widely respected former Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Frank F. Drowota III, who passed away just over a year ago.The Tennessee Supreme Court Historical Society has partnered with…
April 29, 2019
Judge Carma Dennis McGee was confirmed during a joint session of the Tennessee General Assembly as the newest member of the Tennessee Court of Appeals – Western Division. She is the first Court of Appeals judge to go through the confirmation process that was enacted in 2016 by Executive Order 54.…
April 26, 2019
Over the past year, Tennessee has welcomed ten new state judges to the bench. At the first Tennessee Judicial Conference of 2019, they attended a special training called the Mini-Judicial Academy created for new judges.The sessions included discussions on courtroom security featuring Brian Grisham…
April 25, 2019
The Tennessee Supreme Court has affirmed the disbarment of Knoxville attorney John O. Threadgill.Mr. Threadgill’s disbarment was based on his conviction for felony tax evasion in federal district court, which was affirmed by the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Mr. Threadgill’…