News
April 2, 2020
The Tennessee Supreme Court entered an Order today approving temporary changes to provisions of Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 7 to address ongoing concerns with the July 2020 bar exam in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The bar exam is currently scheduled for July 28-29 and the Order provides some…
April 1, 2020
The Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury issued the FY 2018-19 Tennessee Judicial Weighted Caseload Study in March 2020. The state has estimated a net deficit of 8.53 full-time equivalent judges. In the previous year, there was a deficit of 6.51 judges and, in 2017, there was a deficit of 6.51…
March 30, 2020
For the first time in history, on Wednesday, April 1, 2020, the Tennessee Supreme Court will hold an oral argument by video conference. This new approach is part of efforts by courts at all levels to find innovative and creative ways to continue to conduct essential court business across the…
March 27, 2020
The Tennessee Supreme Court has recently filed several orders and modified policies to help attorneys navigate the covid-19 pandemic and mitigate its impact. While courts across the state are open, some in-person court proceedings have been suspended through April 30. The Court has filed orders or…
March 25, 2020
The Tennessee Supreme Court today issued an Order reiterating that all Tennessee courts will remain open during the coronavirus outbreak, but extending the suspension of most in-person judicial proceedings through April 30,…
March 23, 2020
The Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program (TLAP) is open and ready 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 crisis…
March 19, 2020
Former Tennessee Court of Appeals Judge Herschel P. Franks, whose 42 years on the bench constitute one of the longest judicial tenures in state history, passed away March 19 at the age of 89.Judge Franks was first appointed to the 11th Judicial District Chancery Court in 1970. In 1978, he was…
March 18, 2020
The Tennessee Supreme Court ruled today that Shelby County firefighter Paul Zachary Moss received sufficient notice of the reasons for his termination to satisfy constitutional due process requirements.While off duty from his job as a firefighter, Moss went to a political rally after consuming…
March 13, 2020
The Tennessee Supreme Court today issued an Order stating all Tennessee courts will remain open during the coronavirus outbreak, but suspending all in-person judicial proceedings through March 31, 2020. Chief Justice…
March 11, 2020
Longtime Memphis attorney and Access to Justice advocate George T. “Buck” Lewis III was honored recently in Nashville with a special certificate of recognition from the Tennessee Supreme Court. Chief Justice Jeff Bivins, Justice Connie Clark, and Justice Holly Kirby all spoke at a special ceremony…
March 10, 2020
Twelfth Judicial District Circuit Court Judge Justin Angel was recently featured on one of the nation’s most popular podcasts to talk about his involvement in the case of Adam Braseel, a Grundy County man released from prison in 2019 after serving 12 years for a murder he swears he did not commit…
March 4, 2020
The primary elections held on March 3 included a number of judicial races. In many instances these races involve judges who had been appointed to the bench following a judge’s retirement, illness, or death.The winners of these primaries will go on to appear on their respective county general…
March 3, 2020
The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts and Nashville Supreme Court building are closed Tuesday, March 3 because of the tornado in Nashville. The Court of Appeals oral arguments planned for today will be rescheduled. All state offices in Davidson, Wilson, Putnam, Carroll, Benson, Fentress…
February 28, 2020
The Tennessee Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of a healthcare liability statute after removing a phrase from the provision that the Court considered unconstitutional as violating the separation of powers clause of the Tennessee Constitution because the phrases removed all discretion from…
February 28, 2020
This is Part Two of a story about the history, legacy, and continued impact of Tennessee's historically African American bar associations. You can read Part One here.Thirtieth Judicial District Chancellor JoeDae Jenkins is one of those who credits the Ben F. Jones…
February 27, 2020
This is Part One of a story about the history, legacy, and continued impact of Tennessee's historically African American bar associations. You can read Part Two here.
For nearly 90 years now, Tennessee’s historically African American bar associations have been working…
February 26, 2020
In an opinion released today, the Tennessee Supreme Court answered three certified questions from the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, holding that Tennessee’s statutory cap on noneconomic damages in civil cases does not violate the Tennessee Constitution. …
February 26, 2020
The Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments met yesterday and today to consider 16 applicants for the Court of Appeals vacancy in the Eastern Division. After holding a public hearing and conducting public interviews, the Council selected the following applicants:…
February 26, 2020
The Tennessee Supreme Court’s Access to Justice Commission has released its annual report detailing the pro bono legal service reported by attorneys, bar associations, law firms, law schools, legal service providers, mediators, and other organizations. Pro bono is a Latin term meaning “for the…
February 25, 2020
The Tennessee Supreme Court today affirmed the convictions of Alexander Vance despite the trial court’s error in admitting testimony at trial regarding a non-testifying co-defendant.Mr. Vance and another co-defendant, Damonta Meneese, were tried jointly for the murder of Stephen Milliken. A…