News
August 21, 2014
The Tennessee Supreme Court has ruled that a post-conviction petitioner may be entitled to subpoena his co-defendants as witnesses, but only if he can first demonstrate that the co-defendants are competent witnesses whose testimony is relevant to his claims.In 2009, Quantel Taylor pled guilty to…
August 20, 2014
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today appointed Judge Timothy Lee Easter of Brentwood to the Court of Criminal Appeals, Middle Section, replacing Judge Jerry L. Smith, who is retiring.Easter’s appointment becomes effective September 1.More information is available…
August 18, 2014
The Tennessee Supreme Court has reinstated a Memphis attorney’s 60-day suspension from the practice of law for his behavior during a trial.Attorney R. Sadler Bailey was representing a plaintiff in a medical malpractice case in 2008. On the opening day of trial, in a case that already had become…
August 18, 2014
The Tennessee Supreme Court has ruled that the State Constitution, like the United States Constitution, requires the government to compensate private property owners when governmental decisions, restrictions, or regulations take or interfere with private property interests.The lawsuit was brought…
August 15, 2014
An investiture ceremony honoring Judge Robert H. Montgomery, Jr as he joins the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals will take place at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, August 20, 2014 in Kingsport.Gov. Bill Haslam will give the oath of office to Judge Montgomery at the Kingsport Renaissance Center Theater.…
August 14, 2014
Justice Sharon Lee will become Chief Justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court, effective September 1.Justice Lee won a retention election for an eight-year term to the Court in the August 7, 2014 statewide election. She has been a member of the Tennessee Supreme Court since 2008.“It’s an honor to…
August 14, 2014
The Governor’s Commission for Judicial Appointments is now accepting applications for the chancellor vacancy in the 30th Judicial District Chancery Court (Shelby County). The vacancy has been created by the appointment of Chancellor Kenny Armstrong to the Tennessee Court of Appeals, effective…
August 13, 2014
Memphis Attorney George T. "Buck" Lewis will receive the first-ever Justice Janice M. Holder Award, which recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in the cause of expanding access to civil legal service. The Holder Award honors an individual who has advanced the quality…
August 11, 2014
The Tennessee Supreme Court has ruled that an injured employee is entitled to the full amount of workers’ compensation benefits awarded to him by a trial court, despite having taken an employment buyout package shortly after his injury.In 2008, Cha Yang suffered two separate shoulder injuries while…
August 11, 2014
The Tennessee Supreme Court has opened the application period for the position of state Attorney General and Reporter.In accordance with the Tennessee Constitution, the Attorney General and Reporter is appointed by the state Supreme Court and serves an eight-year term.Candidates for Attorney…
July 24, 2014
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam has appointed three Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board judges, all effective August 1. The appointees are Marshall Davidson, 50, of Goodlettsville, who will have a six-year initial term; David Hensley, 60, of Chattanooga, who will begin with a four-year term; and…
July 21, 2014
The Tennessee Supreme Court ruled today that a cash bond in the amount of statutory court costs and litigation taxes is sufficient to permit an appeal from general sessions court to circuit court.The issue arose in a 2007 Shelby County case in which Wilma Griffin sued Campbell Clinic for…
July 17, 2014
The Administrative Office of the Courts has approximately $200,000 in grant funding available for the development or continuation of initiatives that will aid self-represented litigants in accessing the Tennessee court system regarding child support issues.This funding is made possible through the…
July 16, 2014
It was a standing room only in the historic Franklin Theatre as state, county and judicial officials from across Tennessee gathered to honor Justice Jeff Bivins at his investiture July 16, 2014.Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam performed the swearing in. Speakers included Williamson County Sheriff Jeff…
July 15, 2014
In a unanimous opinion, the Tennessee Supreme Court has determined that the Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure require trial judges to explain why they are granting or denying a motion for summary judgment before they ask the lawyer for the winning party to prepare a proposed order.Motions for…
July 13, 2014
Legendary journalist John Seigenthaler, who fought for civil rights and championed the 1st Amendment, died Friday at the age of 86."John Seigenthaler stood for truth and justice. A staunch advocate of civil rights for all people and perhaps the greatest defender of the 1st Amendment right of…
July 10, 2014
Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Jeffrey S. Bivins will be sworn in as a justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court Wednesday, July 16 at the Franklin Theatre in downtown Franklin. Gov. Bill Haslam will perform the ceremony.The ceremony will begin at 3 p.m. at Franklin Theatre, 419 Main Street, Franklin…
July 2, 2014
The Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services has introduced the Janice M. Holder Award to recognize an individual who has made significant contributions to expanding Access to Justice in Tennessee.The Janice M. Holder Award is named in honor of Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Janice M. Holder, who…
July 1, 2014
Judicial and other officials from across the state gathered at the Dyer County Courthouse June 30 to recognize the contributions of Judge J. Steven Stafford with an unveiling of a portrait of Judge Stafford.
Judge…
June 25, 2014
Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Gary R. Wade was honored with the Tennessee Bar Association's Justice Frank F. Drowota III Outstanding Judicial Service Award for his outstanding and dedicated service to the courts and the legal community. The award was presented by outgoing TBA President…