News
September 29, 2017
The Tennessee Supreme Court ruled today that courts must consider all nine statutory factors, as well as any other relevant facts, when deciding whether terminating parental rights is in a child’s best interests. The Supreme Court explained that requiring courts to consider all relevant facts…
September 27, 2017
From The Office of Governor Bill Haslam. Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam appointed David M. Rudolph Circuit Court Judge for the 30th Judicial District, which serves Shelby County.The vacancy was created by the retirement of Judge Robert…
September 26, 2017
Circuit Court Judge Ben W. Hooper II was recently joined by hundreds of friends, family, and colleagues at a reception at Carson Springs Conference Center to pay tribute to his lengthy judicial and public service career. Judge Hooper retired August 31, 2017. He served as a judge for 24 years.…
September 25, 2017
The Trial Court Vacancy Commission is accepting applications for the 30th judicial district criminal court vacancy. The vacancy was created when the Honorable James C. Beasley, Jr. announced he will retire effective December 31, 2017.Qualified applicants must be a licensed attorney who is at least…
September 21, 2017
In 2011, a disagreement arose among members of the Moscow, Fayette County, Temple Church of God in Christ about the person assigned to be its pastor by the parent denomination, the Church of God in Christ, Inc., (COGIC), headquartered in Memphis. The disagreement culminated in a dispute about…
September 20, 2017
Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) Director Deborah Taylor Tate and Indiana Chief Justice Loretta H. Rush were appointed co-chairs of the newly created Conference of Chief Justices (CCJ) and Conference of State Court Administrators (COSCA) National Opioid Task Force. The Task Force…
September 20, 2017
In a case involving a 2014 election for circuit court judge in East Tennessee, the Tennessee Supreme Court has rejected the unsuccessful candidate’s claim that the Roane County Election Commission (“Commission”) had no authority under Tennessee law to decide a pre-election challenge to the…
September 20, 2017
Four years of hard work and planning paid off for the Chancery Court of Rutherford County.With almost 3,000 case filings each year, the need was created for an efficient way for cases to be filed and managed, and electronic filing (e-filing) recently made its debut in the court.E-filing allows…
September 15, 2017
The Trial Court Vacancy Commission met today Friday, September 15, 2017, to consider seven applicants for the Circuit Court vacancy in the 16th Judicial District – Rutherford and Cannon Counties. The judicial vacancy was created by the death of the Honorable M. Keith Siskin.After holding a public…
September 14, 2017
The Trial Court Vacancy Commission met today Thursday, September 14, 2017, to consider seven applicants for the Criminal Court vacancy in the 20th Judicial District – Davidson County. The vacancy was created by The Honorable J. Randall Wyatt, Jr. who informed the Governor he would retire effective…
September 14, 2017
In 2012, the Tennessee General Assembly adopted the Tennessee Excellence, Accountability, and Management Act of 2012 (“TEAM Act”), which comprehensively addressed the hiring and termination of state employees. The TEAM Act replaced the prior Civil Service Act. The TEAM Act established two…
September 7, 2017
Barbara Peck was recently named director of communications for the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC). One of Peck’s primary responsibilities is serving as a media spokesperson for the Supreme Court of Tennessee and the AOC. In addition, she will provide communications support to…
Five Apply for 17th Judicial District Circuit Court - Bedford, Lincoln, Marshall, and Moore Counties
September 6, 2017
The Trial Court Vacancy Commission will consider five applicants when it meets September 29, 2017 in Fayetteville to select nominees for the Circuit Court vacancy in the 17th Judicial District – Bedford, Lincoln, Marshall, and Moore Counties. The vacancy was created when the Honorable Lee Russell…
September 1, 2017
Just like other emergency responders from Memphis to Mountain City, the Tennessee Supreme Court is announcing a call to action for “emergency legal responders” to lend a hand to those impacted by Hurricane Harvey. As was evident when the wildfires hit Gatlinburg last fall, there is a vital need…
August 31, 2017
The Tennessee Supreme Court will hear four cases on September 6, 2017, in Knoxville, TN. The first two cases will be heard at the University of Tennessee College of Law. The latter two cases will be heard at the Knoxville Courthouse. The details of the cases are as follows:State v.…
August 31, 2017
The Tennessee Municipal Judges’ Conference presented the Sharon G. Lee Award of Excellence to Judge Gregory D. Smith of Montgomery County. The award is presented each year to a municipal judge who has made a significant contribution to the Conference over the course of his or her service on the…
August 30, 2017
The Trial Court Vacancy Commission met today Wednesday, August 30, 2017, to consider nine applicants for the Circuit Court vacancy in the 11th Judicial District – Hamilton County. The vacancy was created by the Honorable W. Neil Thomas III, who announced he will retire effective October 5, 2017.…
August 30, 2017
The Tennessee Supreme Court has rejected a defendant hospital’s argument that a wrongful death lawsuit filed by a surviving spouse was null and void because the spouse was not represented by a lawyer when the lawsuit was filed. In September 2004, Ruth Hartley was admitted to Trinity…
August 25, 2017
The Supreme Court has ruled that multiple convictions for sexual offenses arising from a single act of sexual assault should be analyzed under double jeopardy principles. In reaching this conclusion, the Court overruled its prior decision in State v. Barney, 986 S.W.2d 545 (Tenn. 1999), which held…
August 24, 2017
The Trial Court Vacancy Commission met today (Thursday, August 24, 2017) to consider eight applicants for the Circuit Court vacancy in the 4th Judicial District – Cocke, Grainger, Jefferson, and Sevier Counties. The vacancy was created by the retirement of Judge Ben W. Hooper II.After holding a…