News
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…
February 24, 2020
The three current female justices of the Tennessee Supreme Court —Justice Cornelia Clark, Justice Sharon G. Lee, and Justice Holly Kirby—were joined on stage with the three former female justices—Judge Martha Craig Daughtrey, Former Justice Penny White, and Former Chief Justice Janice Holder— for…
February 24, 2020
The Tennessee Supreme Court today issued execution dates for Bryon Lewis Black and Pervis T. Payne. Mr. Black's execution is set for October 8, 2020 and Mr. Pervis's execution date is set for December 3, 2020.Mr. Black was convicted of the 1988 murders of Angela Clay, and her daughters Latoya Clay…
February 19, 2020
The Tennessee Supreme Court has clarified that the language of Tennessee’s burglary statute allows its application to a criminal defendant who enters a retail store from which the defendant has been previously banned and commits a theft.The defendant, Abbie Leann Welch, was indicted for misdemeanor…
February 14, 2020
The Supreme Court held today that the Board of Professional Responsibility failed to prove that an attorney, James S. MacDonald, violated any Rules of Professional Conduct, resulting in the dismissal of the disciplinary allegations against him.This disciplinary matter arose out of Mr. MacDonald’s…
February 13, 2020
A sense of hard-earned joy coursed through a Rutherford County courtroom earlier this month at the scene of a unique adoption hearing.Friends and family who a dozen years before had been united in grief following the senseless murder of Melissa Atkin, were united once more, but this time in…
February 12, 2020
The Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments has selected February 25 and February 26 as the meeting dates to interview the 16 candidates who have applied for the Court of Appeals opening in the Eastern Division. The meetings will begin at 10 a.m. EST on February 25 and 8:30 a.m. EST on…
February 10, 2020
Nashville, Tenn. – The Tennessee Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on February 11, 2020. The details of the cases are as follows:Vickie S. Young, Individually and as Administrator of the Estate of Randall Josh Young, Deceased v. First Cardiology PLLC, et al – In this healthcare…
February 7, 2020
Tennessee Supreme Court has affirmed the one-year suspension of Georgia attorney James A. Dunlap, Jr., from the practice of law in Tennessee.Mr. Dunlap had been admitted to practice in Tennessee for the limited purpose of representing a client in an administrative appeal before the Administrative…
February 5, 2020
Hamilton County Juvenile Court Judge Robert Philyaw has been serving the children and families in his jurisdiction since his appointment to the bench in 2013. He will now have the opportunity to do even more to support children and families thanks to his recent appointment to the Tennessee…
February 4, 2020
The White House recently rolled out a new tool to help local leaders in rural areas respond effectively to the opioid epidemic. The State of Tennessee has been at the forefront of the rural opioid crisis and both Fourth Judicial District Circuit Court Judge Duane Slone and Administrative Office of…
February 4, 2020
The Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments will consider 16 applicants when it meets to select nominees for the Court of Appeals opening in the Eastern Division created by the retirement of the Honorable Charles D. Susano, Jr., effective April 30, 2020.The applicants are:…
January 30, 2020
A recent graduation day in Coffee County was all about fathers and their children.The kids sat on the benches in the back of Coffee County Juvenile Court until their dads’ names were called. Then they proudly walked up front with them to share in their moment of recognition. “I’d like to…
January 29, 2020
Harold Wimberly Jr., who served as a General Sessions Judge in Knoxville from 1974-1987 and a Circuit Court Judge in the 6th Judicial District from 1987 to 2014, passed away on January 24.Judge Wimberly was a double alumni of the University of Tennessee and was admitted to the bar in 1966. In…
January 29, 2020
The Tennessee Supreme Court ruled today that a criminal trial court lacks authority to partially vacate its own order dismissing criminal prosecutions once the order becomes final. In 2012, the Shelby County Criminal Court filed a final order dismissing criminal prosecutions against Carl Allen…
January 29, 2020
Recovery courts, one of the judiciary’s most powerful tools to combat substance abuse, reduce costs, and put lives back on track, have seen a remarkable growth in Tennessee in recent years. Since 2013, there has been a 67 percent increase in the number of recovery courts in the state — starting at…
January 28, 2020
In a wrongful death case out of Hickman County, the Tennessee Supreme Court today reversed the Court of Appeals and reinstated the trial court’s pre-trial dismissal of the case for lack of proof. The Court clarified that appellate courts may reverse only if the trial court’s decision was not within…
January 24, 2020
The Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments is now accepting applications for the Court of Appeals vacancy created by the retirement of the Honorable Charles D. Susano, Jr., effective April 30, 2020.Any interested applicant must be a licensed attorney who is at least 30 years of age, a…
January 23, 2020
Longtime Nashville Judge Seth Norman, whose visionary ideas on the criminal justice system’s treatment of drug offenders challenged conventional wisdom and saved countless lives, was honored recently with a portrait unveiling ceremony in his former courtroom.The Honorable Seth Walker Norman’s…
January 22, 2020
Governor Bill Lee appointed five new members to the Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments, which manages the application process, interviews candidates, and makes a recommendation to the governor for vacancies in the Tennessee appellate courts, Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board, or the…