News
May 11, 2020
The Tennessee Supreme Court entered an Order today regarding administration of the July 2020 bar examination. The Court order states that the July 2020 examination, to be held on July 28 and 29, 2020, will go forward with reduced seating. The Court also approved new Board Policy P-4.03,…
May 1, 2020
The Tennessee Supreme Court in a unanimous decision has held that the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act applies to claims arising out of the business aspects of a health care provider’s practice. The Tennessee Consumer Protection Act allows a person who has lost money or property because of an…
April 30, 2020
The Tennessee Supreme Court has clarified that a trial court is required to charge a jury on self-defense only when the issue has been fairly raised by the proof at trial.The defendant, Antonio Benson, was charged with first-degree premeditated murder. The evidence presented at trial…
April 29, 2020
A majority of the Tennessee Supreme Court ruled today that plaintiffs who provided defendants with medical authorizations lacking three of the six core elements required by the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”) failed to substantially comply with a…
April 28, 2020
The Self-Represented Litigation Network (SRLN) recently partnered with the Tennessee Access to Justice Commission (ATJ) to bring its annual conference to Nashville. The national conference brought together lawyers, judges, clerks of court and court administrators, self-help services…
April 28, 2020
The Tennessee Supreme Court has upheld a decision of the Chancery Court of Davidson County that suspended Nashville attorney George H. Thompson, III.The sanction stems from Mr. Thompson’s representation of a client in her 2013 personal injury action. After filing a nonsuit on his client’s…
April 24, 2020
The Tennessee Judiciary Museum and Court of Appeals Judge Andy Bennett were featured recently on a new NBC program that helps families uncover interesting stories about their past.In this episode of Roots Less Traveled, St. Louis resident Sharee Burress and her son DeVonn travel to Nashville where…
April 24, 2020
The Tennessee Supreme Court today issued an Order that extends the judicial state of emergency until May 31, and also allows local judicial districts to develop a strategy to begin…
April 23, 2020
Pressed to keep courts open and functioning while under a state of emergency, judges in Tennessee have embraced new technologies to continue to hear emergency cases and keep dockets moving forward. Traditionally, court proceedings in Tennessee are held in person with judges, attorneys, defendants,…
April 20, 2020
The Tennessee Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision, has held that a doctor who was permitted to practice medicine in Tennessee without a license under a statutory exemption does not meet the requirements of the Tennessee Health Care Liability Act to testify as an expert witness in a lawsuit…
April 17, 2020
In a collection case against a Hamilton County auto parts store, the Tennessee Supreme Court today clarified the procedure and jurisdiction for an appeal from a county general sessions court to a state circuit court. The Supreme Court found that when defendants appeal a general sessions judgment to…
April 17, 2020
The Supreme Court announced today that, in addition to the July bar examination currently scheduled to take place July 28 - 29, 2020, the Board of Law Examiners will offer an examination on September 30 – October 1, 2020 (the “October Exam”). Applicants who previously submitted an application for…
April 14, 2020
The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) is now accepting grant applications for the Parent Education and Mediation Fund (“PEMF”) and the Victim Offender Reconciliation Program (“VORP”) for the 2020-2021 fiscal year. The PEMF and VORP grants for the 2020 – 2021 fiscal year will run from…
April 14, 2020
Faith leaders, judicial branch members, and community partners from across Tennessee will gather online on April 21 for the 2020 Tennessee Faith and Justice Summit. Participants will consider the ways faith and justice intersect, learn about free legal resources available to better serve…
April 9, 2020
The Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program (TLAP) has created a resource guide to assist attorneys who may be facing extra stress and pressure because of the coronavirus outbreak and related closures. TLAP is a free, confidential assistance program providing consultation, referral, intervention, and…
April 9, 2020
The latest edition of the Tennessee Court Talk podcast features an inside look at the state’s chancery courts. There are chancery courts in every judicial district, and Tennessee is only one of five states to have these special equity courts. The podcast features: Chancellor JB Cox, serving the…
April 8, 2020
Now more than ever, Tennesseans need assistance with civil legal issues, and the Tennessee Supreme Court Access to Justice Commission is kicking off its annual Help4TNDay celebration on April 8. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the tornadoes that ripped through Middle Tennessee in…
April 6, 2020
The Tennessee Supreme Court today upheld a local rule of court requiring bail bonding companies to have an agent present at court appearances of defendants for whom the bail bonding company serves as surety.The case arose in Van Buren County, Tennessee, part of the 31st Judicial District of…
April 3, 2020
For the first time in history, on Wednesday, April 1, 2020, the Tennessee Supreme Court held an oral argument by video conference. A recording of the video conference oral argument is available on the Supreme Court’s…
April 3, 2020
During his 25-year tenure on the Tennessee Court of Appeals, Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr. won respect and recognition for his well-written opinions and indomitable spirit. The widespread admiration for Judge Susano among Tennessee’s judicial and legislative leaders was evident at a retirement…