News
August 27, 2021
The Tennessee Supreme Court has appointed Judge Roy B. Morgan. Jr., as a senior judge for a term of four years, effective September 1, 2022. Judge Morgan is currently a circuit court judge in the state’s 26th Judicial District, which includes Chester, Madison, and Henderson counties. He will retire…
August 26, 2021
The Tennessee Supreme Court today issued an Order that reinforces the authority of judges statewide to respond to the recent increase in COVID-19 cases, including requiring facial coverings in their judicial districts or courtrooms. The Court strongly encouraged judges to consider implementing a…
August 26, 2021
The investiture ceremony of Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Jill Bartee Ayers will be livestreamed at 9 a.m. on Monday, August 30. Judge Ayers was unanimously confirmed to the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals – Middle Section during a joint session of the General Assembly on April 12. The…
August 24, 2021
Court operations in Humphrey County have been disrupted by the catastrophic flooding in the area over the weekend. While the courthouse itself did not sustain substantial damage, phone, internet, and road outings and closures are impacting court business. In addition, court staff lost family,…
August 24, 2021
Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Roger A. Page has been elected Chief Justice by his colleagues for a term that begins September 1, 2021. Justice Page succeeds Justice Jeff Bivins, who has served as chief justice since September 2016.“It is an honor to serve as chief justice and a responsibility…
August 16, 2021
The Tennessee Supreme Court has upheld a decision of a Board of Professional Responsibility Hearing Panel denying an attorney’s petition seeking relief from costs associated with his disbarment proceedings. This case stems from a petition of discipline filed against Knoxville attorney Loring…
August 13, 2021
Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced key appointments to the Board of Parole and judicial positions across the state.“It’s an honor to announce the appointment of eight qualified Tennesseans who will each bring valuable experience to their respective roles,” said Gov. Lee. “I am grateful…
August 11, 2021
The Tennessee Trial Judges Association installed a new president for the 2021-2022 term at a recent meeting. The Tennessee Trial Judges Association, formed in 1976, is a non-partisan association of participating circuit, criminal and chancery court judges from each county in the state…
August 3, 2021
The Trial Court Vacancy Commission met today, Tuesday, August 3, to consider candidates for the 24th judicial district circuit court vacancy. The 24th judicial district includes Benton, Carroll, Decatur, Hardin, and Henry counties. This vacancy was created by the retirement of the Honorable C…
August 2, 2021
In a unanimous opinion released today, the Tennessee Supreme Court ruled that the economic loss doctrine applies in fraud actions where the parties are sophisticated commercial entities and the claim is based solely on alleged misrepresentations or nondisclosures about the quality of the goods…
July 28, 2021
The Trial Court Vacancy Commission will consider three applications for a Circuit Court Judge in the Third Judicial District, which covers Greene, Hamblen, Hancock, and Hawkins counties. This vacancy was created by the retirement of the Honorable Thomas J. Wright, effective September 2, 2021.The…
July 22, 2021
The Trial Court Vacancy Commission met today, Thursday, July 22, to consider five candidates for the 25th judicial district circuit court vacancy. The 25th judicial district includes Fayette, Hardeman, Lauderdale, McNairy, and Tipton counties. This vacancy was created by the retirement of…
July 22, 2021
The Tennessee Supreme Court has appointed Judge Thomas J. Wright as a senior judge for a term of four years, effective September 1, 2021. Judge Wright is currently a circuit court judge in the state’s Third Judicial District, which includes Greene, Hancock, Hamblen, and Hawkins counties. He will…
July 16, 2021
The Trial Court Vacancy Commission met today, Friday, July 16, to consider five candidates for the 7th judicial district circuit court vacancy. The 7th judicial district covers Anderson County. This vacancy was created by the retirement of the Honorable Donald R. Elledge, effective July 2…
July 13, 2021
The Trial Court Vacancy Commission is accepting applications for a Circuit Court Judge in the Third Judicial District, which covers Greene, Hamblen, Hancock, and Hawkins counties. This vacancy was created by the retirement of the Honorable Thomas J. Wright, effective September 2, 2021.Qualified…
July 8, 2021
The Tennessee Supreme Court today reversed the dismissal of a lawsuit that had been refiled after it previously was dismissed before going to trial. The Court held that the prior dismissal did not prevent refiling the lawsuit because that dismissal had not resolved the lawsuit on its merits.…
July 6, 2021
The Tennessee judiciary is mourning the loss of retired Judge Terry Lafferty, who passed away on July 2, 2021, at the age of 89.Judge Lafferty served as a criminal court judge in Shelby County from 1977 to his retirement in 1997. After his retirement, he served as a senior judge. Prior to taking…
July 6, 2021
The Tennessee Judicial Conference, which is comprised of Tennessee’s state court judges, elected new officers at its meeting in June.Taking the helm as president is Chancellor J.B. Cox, who sits on the bench in the state’s 17th judicial district of Bedford, Lincoln, Marshall and Moore counties.…
July 2, 2021
Tennessee lawmakers passed several key pieces of legislation this year that will improve and impact the state’s court system. From the creation of new three-judge panel to hear certain constitutional challenges to the expansion of recovery courts and safe baby courts, the new laws allow the courts…
June 30, 2021
The Tennessee Supreme Court today held that a general contractor may be required to pay a $300-per-day penalty under Tennessee law for its failure to pay a subcontractor for work completed on a Nashville construction project. Applying Tennessee’s Prompt Pay Act, the Court reversed the trial court’s…