News
July 14, 2022
The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts has named Attorney John Coke general counsel. Coke has served as assistant general counsel since 2016 and took on the new role effective July 1.“Over the past six years, John has provided trusted and valuable legal advice on a variety of issues…
July 14, 2022
The Tennessee Judiciary is mourning the loss of Sumner County General Sessions Judge Mike Carter, who passed away July 13 at the age of 64. Judge Carter was appointed to the bench in 2015 after a third general sessions judge position was created in the county. He won re-election in 2016 to a six-…
July 12, 2022
The Trial Court Vacancy Commission will consider three applicants for the criminal court vacancy in the 11th judicial district, which includes Hamilton County. This vacancy was created by the confirmation of the Honorable Tom Greenholtz to the Court of Criminal Appeals – Eastern Section.The…
July 12, 2022
The Tennessee Supreme Court will begin accepting applications for the position of State Attorney General and Reporter on July 15, 2022. Under the state constitution, the Tennessee Attorney General and Reporter is appointed by the state Supreme Court and serves an eight-year term. The term for the…
July 11, 2022
Criminal Court Judge E. Shayne Sexton is leaving the bench, after more than two decades of service to Campbell, Claiborne, Fentress, Scott and Union Counties.“The pandemic changed the way I viewed the role,” said Judge Sexton. “My wife retired from her job. I have two grandchildren now. We became…
July 7, 2022
The Trial Court Vacancy Commission will consider five applicants for the criminal court vacancy in the Sixth judicial district, which includes Knox County. This vacancy was created by the confirmation of the Honorable Kyle A. Hixson to the Court of Criminal Appeals – Eastern Section.The applicants…
June 29, 2022
On July 1, 1979, Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive,” topped the charts. You might say it’s a fitting anthem for Montgomery County General Sessions & Juvenile Court Judge Wayne Chavis Shelton. Judge Shelton was appointed to the bench on that very day, to the newly created position of Division II…
June 28, 2022
The Trial Court Vacancy Commission is accepting applications for a Criminal Court Judge in the Eleventh Judicial District, which covers Hamilton County. This vacancy was created by the appointment of the Honorable Tom Greenholtz to the Court of Criminal Appeals – Eastern Section.Qualified…
June 27, 2022
The Tennessee Supreme Court today reversed a Davidson County trial court’s calculation of attorney fees awarded after dismissal of a contractor’s claim against a Middle Tennessee homeowner. The Court held that, under Tennessee law, the trial court’s limit on the attorney fee award was error.…
June 23, 2022
The Trial Court Vacancy Commission is accepting applications for a Criminal Court Judge in the Sixth Judicial District, which covers Knox County. This vacancy was created by the appointment of the Honorable Kyle A. Hixson to the Court of Criminal Appeals – Eastern Section.Qualified applicants must…
June 21, 2022
The Tennessee Supreme Court Access to Justice Commission publicly launched the Tennessee Justice Bus today at the Tennessee Supreme Court Building in Nashville. The TN Justice Bus is a mobile law office that brings technology to rural and underserved communities. The TN Justice Bus is a passenger…
June 21, 2022
Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Sarah K. Campbell was recently joined by state and federal dignitaries, current and former colleagues, family, and friends for her public investiture ceremony at Belmont University’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts.
Justice Campbell was appointed to the…
June 16, 2022
Court of Appeals Judge W. Neal McBrayer recently joined the Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature (TISL) Board of Directors.“Having participated in TISL as a college student, I know firsthand the benefits of the program,” said Judge McBrayer. “It's hands-on learning that encourages future…
June 14, 2022
According to a press release from the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE), attorney Lisa Perlen was recently elected to its Board of Trustees. “I am honored to be selected to serve on the NCBE Board of Trustees at this exciting time, as we work to develop the next generation…
June 10, 2022
The Tennessee Supreme Court in a unanimous decision clarified the appropriate legal standard to be applied in post-conviction cases involving allegations of ineffective assistance of counsel based on counsel’s alleged failure to seek suppression of evidence on Fourth Amendment grounds.Petitioner…
June 10, 2022
The Tennessee Supreme Court today held that the Tennessee Republican Party and its State Executive Committee (“Republican Party”) did not violate the Tennessee Open Meetings Act (“TOMA”) when they determined that Mr. Robert Starbuck Newsom a/k/a Robby Starbuck (“Mr. Starbuck”) would not be added to…
June 6, 2022
The Tennessee Supreme Court has affirmed the thirty-day suspension of Davidson County attorney Candes Vonniest Prewitt from the practice of law in Tennessee.A Board of Professional Responsibility hearing panel found that Ms. Prewitt violated multiple provisions of the Tennessee Rules of…
June 2, 2022
Davidson County Chancellor Ellen Hobbs Lyle was honored with a resolution from the Tennessee Dental Association (TDA) House of Delegates, on May 22, which named her an honorary member of the Association.The TDA noted Chancellor Lyle’s work with the Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability,…
June 1, 2022
The Tennessee Supreme Court today upheld sentences imposed by the Hardin County Circuit Court for drug offenses that occurred in a drug-free zone. Offenses committed in drug-free zones, most often around schools, provide for enhanced punishment above that for offenses committed in other…
May 31, 2022
The Board of Judicial Conduct has issued an Order of Suspension for Roane County General Sessions Judge Dennis W. Humphrey. Read the Order of Suspension here.