News

December 20, 2013
In March of 2006, the body of Jamil Branhan was found at his Nashville apartment.  His death was caused by two gunshot wounds to the head. After several months of investigation, police arrested James Allen Pollard, who was tried and found guilty of first degree murder and especially aggravated…

December 19, 2013
The Tennessee Supreme Court ruled today that a tenant seeking to appeal a court decision regarding possession of a rental unit is not required to post a bond equal to a year’s rent if that tenant no longer occupies the property.The case concerns a landlord and tenant arrangement in Nashville. The…

December 19, 2013
The Tennessee Supreme Court has ruled that an insurance company properly relied upon a juvenile court order prior to paying a claim to the financial guardian of a minor beneficiary.In 2002, David Ray Hood purchased a $100,000 life insurance policy from The Old Line Life Insurance Company of America…

December 19, 2013
Supreme Court Justice William C. Koch, Jr. informed Governor Bill Haslam today that he intends to retire from the Court in July 2014 to become the dean of the Nashville School of Law.At the time of his retirement, Justice Koch will have served on the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court for 30…

December 18, 2013
The Tennessee Supreme Court ruled today that a customer injured by another customer in the parking lot of the Red Bank Wal-Mart store can proceed with her lawsuit against the store.The case involves Jolyn Cullum, who had shopped at the store and was placing her groceries in the trunk of her car…

December 18, 2013
Governor Bill Haslam has named Court of Appeals Judge Holly M. Kirby to the Tennesse Supreme Court.Judge Kirby, of Memphis, will take the seat of Justice Janice M. Holder after Holder retires September 1, 2014. Judge Kirby has been a member of the Court of Appeals since 1995 and was the first woman…

December 17, 2013
The Supreme Court has held that a group opposed to a state-issued water pollution permit acted prematurely when they took their case to court, and should first complete appeals to the Tennessee Board of Water Quality, Oil, and Gas.In 2008, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation…

December 12, 2013
The Tennessee Supreme Court ruled today that a suit voluntarily dismissed before a change in the law then filed again after the new law goes into effect can follow the extended deadlines provided for in the new law.In this case, Hong Samouth Rajvongs filed a lawsuit in Rutherford County against his…

December 11, 2013
William E. “Bill” Young, former Solicitor General of Tennessee, has joined the Administrative Office of the Courts as the Administrative Director.Young was appointed by the Tennessee Supreme Court in September to direct an office of approximately 75 people who provide administrative support to the…

December 5, 2013
The Tennessee Judiciary Museum is celebrating its one-year anniversary with several new exhibits and the launch of a website devoted to the museum.The museum has added exhibits detailing several historic cases that have worked their way through the courts of Tennessee. The various exhibits are…

November 26, 2013
The Tennessee Supreme Court unanimously decided today that a lawsuit filed by an investor against a Tennessee movie start-up company could proceed in state court.The case involves a lawsuit first filed in a California state court by Jeffrey R. Cooper against Phillip, Richard and David Glasser,…

November 25, 2013
Today the Tennessee Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit filed against several Hickman County medical providers because they were not given a required release that allows potential defendants to access a plaintiff’s relevant medical records before suit is filed.Christine Stevens filed the action…

November 21, 2013
The judiciary is among the many attorneys, law students and others who are mourning the death of Donald Paine this week.Paine, a founding member of Paine, Tarwaters and Bickers was a prolific speaker, author and instructor and was looked to by many for guidance on Tennessee law. “No judge, no…

November 21, 2013
The Tennessee Supreme Court has ruled that Anderson County is not liable for damages beyond medical costs after an inmate sustained injuries from an attack by cellmates.Kenneth E. King had spent the night in the Anderson County Detention Facility after being arrested for driving on a suspended…

November 19, 2013
The Tennessee Supreme Court filed an Order today soliciting comments regarding proposed amendments to Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 21.The Tennessee Commission on Continuing Education has petitioned the Court to amend Rule 21 – Rule for Mandatory Continuing Legal Education.…

November 19, 2013
Supreme Court Justice Cornelia A. Clark recently participated in the induction of six Tennessee women in to the state’s Women's Hall of Fame.The Hall of Fame honor is bestowed by the Tennessee Economic Council on Women to those whose lives reflect exceptional accomplishments and devotion to…

November 18, 2013
Ana L. Escobar, former Nashville and Davidson County Metropolitan Clerk has joined the Administrative Office of the Courts as Deputy Director.Prior to joining the AOC, Escobar spent more than two years heading up Metro’s Clerk’s Office. She also has served as a Davidson County drug prosecutor and…

November 13, 2013
The Governor’s Commission on Judicial Appointments met on November 13, 2013 in Nashville to hold a public hearing and conduct interviews of candidates for the vacancy on the Supreme Court of Tennessee.After interviewing the candidates and conducting a vote, the Commission has submitted the…

November 12, 2013
The Governor’s Commission on Judicial Appointments met on November 12, 2013 in Jackson to hold a public hearing and conduct interviews of candidates for the Court of Appeals –Western Section vacancy.After interviewing the candidates and conducting a vote, the Commission has submitted the following…

October 31, 2013
The following candidates have submitted their applications for the appellate court openings in Tennessee:Supreme Court:Christopher Bright Craft…