News
November 20, 2012
The Tennessee legal community is mourning the loss today of Chancellor Billy Joe White, who died November 20, 2012 after a short illness.“Chancellor Billy Joe White served the state in the great tradition of country judges – full of common sense, wise counsel and fair dealing. While his many…
November 19, 2012
In a unanimous opinion, the Tennessee Supreme Court ruled today that the Chancery Court for Carter County properly disbarred Thomas Ewing Cowan from the practice of law in Tennessee.In 2009, Mr. Cowan pleaded guilty in federal district court to the felony offense of willful attempt to defeat or…
November 19, 2012
The Tennessee Supreme Court today upheld a decision of the Chancery Court for Franklin County to permit the continued development of Cooley’s Rift, a 1,400‑ acre residential development near Monteagle, Tennessee despite objections from some original homeowners to changes in the development plan. In…
November 16, 2012
The Tennessee Supreme Court today upheld a trial court’s decision to dismiss a grandmother’s second petition requesting visitation with her granddaughter. In 2009, following the death of her daughter, Jeanette Jackson filed suit in the McNairy County Chancery Court seeking visitation with her…
November 16, 2012
The Judicial Nominating Commission met in Chattanooga today to review the 11 applicants for the Court of Appeals Eastern Section vacancy which serves 13 judicial districts in east Tennessee. The vacancy was created by the retirement of Court of Appeals Judge Herschel P. Franks on December 31, 2012…
November 16, 2012
In a unanimous opinion, the Tennessee Supreme Court has upheld the disbarment of Knoxville attorney M. Josiah Hoover, III by the Board of Professional Responsibility.In five separate cases, Hoover was found to be negligent in the representation of his clients or otherwise in violation of his…
November 16, 2012
In a unanimous opinion, the Tennessee Supreme Court held that signing an affidavit of attesting witnesses is not the same as signing a will. In the case before the Court, Mr. Thomas Grady Chastain signed a one-page affidavit of attesting witnesses but failed to sign his separate two-page will.…
November 16, 2012
Members of the judiciary and legal profession honored Judge Herschel P. Franks for his years of service to the state judiciary.
Supreme Court Justice Sharon. G. Lee presented a plaque to Judge Franks, who is retiring at the end of the year. Judge Franks has served for more than 42 years, most…
November 15, 2012
In a unanimous opinion, the Tennessee Supreme Court ruled today that a judge may not properly charge an attorney with contempt of court when the behavior neither disrupts the proceeding nor disparages the court, even if the judge believes that the attorney behaved unethically.In 2009, Mr. James…
November 9, 2012
Eight attorneys have applied to fill the vacancy for the Circuit Court judgeship open in Knox County. The vacancy was created by the retirement of the Honorable Wheeler A. Rosenbalm effective January 1, 2013.The Judicial Nominating Commission will hold a public meeting to interview the following…
November 7, 2012
The Tennessee Municipal Judges gathered for their Conference November 2 as Nolensville Municipal Judge James D. Petersen of Williamson County ended his two-year term as president of the Conference. Millersville Municipal Judge John H. Lowe of Sumner County now presides over the group.
November 7, 2012
John Wheeler Campbell will be sworn in as judge in Division VI of the Criminal Court at 2 p.m. on Friday November 16 at the Shelby County Criminal Justice Complex, 201 Poplar Ave., Memphis, TN 38103.The swearing-in ceremony will take place in the auditorium, followed by a reception in the Division…
November 5, 2012
More than 300 attorneys are expected to be sworn in this week across the state as the Tennessee Supreme Court travels from Knoxville to Memphis to welcome the most recent members of the legal profession.Seventy-two attorneys were sworn in Monday in Knoxville. Two swearing in ceremonies will be held…
November 1, 2012
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today announced the appointment of John Campbell as Criminal Court judge, Division VI, for the 30th Judicial District, serving Shelby County.Campbell replaces Judge John Fowlkes who resigned in July to become a Federal District Court judge.Campbell has worked in the…
November 1, 2012
The Judicial Ethics Committee has issued an advisory opinion regarding the use of social media among judges. The opinion states in part: “… while judges may participate in social media, they must do so with caution …”The full opinion is available…
November 1, 2012
The newest Davidson County Juvenile Court Judge will be officially sworn in later this month.Sophia Brown Crawford was appointed by the Metro Council on October 16th, 2012 to complete the term of Judge Betty Adams Green, who retired in September.Sophia Brown Crawford was appointed to the bench as…
October 31, 2012
More than $200,000 has been awarded to seven agencies across Tennessee as part of the Supreme Court’s Access to Justice initiative.The support is made possible through federal funding received from the Department of Human Services through the Access and Visitation Grant program, earmarked for…
October 30, 2012
To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the building that houses the Tennessee Supreme Court, original handwritten versions of the three state constitutions will be on display for the public for the first time.The display is part of a week-long celebration of the building and includes the opening of…
October 29, 2012
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today announced the appointment of Keith Siskin to the 16th Judicial District Circuit Court, which serves Rutherford and Cannon counties.As a judge in the 16th District, Siskin fills the vacancy created by the appointment of Judge Don Ash to a senior judge position…
October 23, 2012
Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Sharon Lee will present the compelling stories of five American soldiers captured and held as prisoners of war by the Germans in World War II. Although they were of different backgrounds and faiths and had different prison experiences, the young men shared some…