News
April 25, 2014
The Tennessee Supreme Court’s Access to Justice Commission has released its annual report showing that attorneys in Tennessee have increased dramatically the number of hours of free and reduced-rate legal services to those in need.The report shows that the number of hours of pro bono service…
April 24, 2014
In a unanimous opinion, the Tennessee Supreme Court has determined that a health care liability suit can continue because a plaintiff complied fully with the requirement to provide pre-suit notice to defendants and complied substantially with the requirements to confirm the sending of the notice.…
April 23, 2014
The Tennessee Supreme Court in a unanimous opinion today clarified the standard of appellate review for a trial court’s decision regarding judicial diversion.When a case is appealed, the court must determine what standard of review applies. In this case, the defendant argued that the Court of…
April 23, 2014
The Tennessee Special Supreme Court has issued an order denying John Jay Hooker’s Petition to Rehear the case in which he challenged the constitutionality of the state’s judicial selection process.Mr. Hooker filed the petition with the Court March 27, seeking a rehearing on the issue of the…
April 22, 2014
Come be part of an emerging judicial court program designed to address the needs of Veterans. The backbone of this specially designed court is made up of volunteer mentors who are engaged and committed to assisting fellow Veterans in need. We are seeking mentors to be trained to help Tennessee’s…
April 17, 2014
The statewide courtroom interpreter program was ranked sixth in the country by a national agency for work in offering language assistance to those that are unable to speak and understand English.The National Center for Access to Justice at the Cardozo School of Law published its “Justice Index” and…
April 8, 2014
A first-of-its-kind statewide gathering of faith and legal professionals brought together more than 100 religious leaders and attorneys at Lipscomb University in Nashville Monday.
The Tennessee Faith and Justice Alliance Summit is an initiative of the Tennessee Supreme Court Access to Justice…
April 8, 2014
The Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals opened in a unique way on Tuesday, April 8, as two Nashville-area musicians played the Star-Spangled Banner just before oral arguments began.
The trumpet performance was one of dozens that Steven H. Smartt has given this year as part of his effort to perform…
April 4, 2014
In a unanimous opinion, the Tennessee Supreme Court has ruled that a guilty plea expunged after successful completion of judicial diversion is not considered a conviction and would not be subject to review in post-conviction proceedings.The case involves Jose Rodriguez, a Mexican citizen who in…
April 4, 2014
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam has appointed Judge Jeff Bivins, a member of the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals, to the Tennessee Supreme Court, replacing Justice William C. Koch Jr., who is retiring July 15, 2014.“I had the opportunity to appoint Judge Bivins to the Court of Criminal Appeals, and…
April 2, 2014
The Tennessee Supreme Court will bring oral arguments to Bethel University next week as part of the Court’s SCALES program, as high school and college students get a personal look at how the court operates.More than 800 students from eight area high schools and Bethel University are expected to…
April 2, 2014
Mr. Ramsey Leathers, who served as the Tennessee Supreme Court Clerk from 1963-1987, died March 28 in Nashville. He is remembered by many for his kindness and service to the public.Mr. Leathers' obituary can be found…
April 1, 2014
The National Judicial College presented Advancement of Justice Awards to several individuals and entities Monday in Nashville for their efforts to improve access to justice in the state of Tennessee.
Among the award recipients are the Tennessee Supreme Court, its Access to Justice Commission and…
April 1, 2014
The Governor’s Commission for Judicial Appointments is now accepting applications for the upcoming appeals court vacancies created by Court of Appeals Judge Holly M. Kirby’s appointment to the Tennessee Supreme Court and Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Jerry L. Smith’s announcement that he will not…
March 31, 2014
A suspension of Knoxville attorney Roger D. Hyman’s law license has been upheld by a unanimous opinion of the Tennessee Supreme Court.In 2010, the Board of Professional Responsibility filed a petition for discipline against Mr. Hyman for two unrelated complaints. The petition charged that Mr. Hyman…
March 28, 2014
Shelby County Criminal Court Judge Chris Craft is a 2014 recipient of the Dunavant Public Servant Award, selected by the family of the late Probate Court Clerk Bobby Dunavant and the Rotary Club of Memphis East.…
March 18, 2014
The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts is accepting applications for two grants. The deadline for both grants is April 11. More information is available here: Application for Grant Funding by State Appropriation Parent Education and Mediation Fund…
March 17, 2014
A five-member Special Supreme Court convened solely to hear a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the way appellate judges are initially chosen and later stand for reelection to office ruled today that the current retention election system for choosing appellate judges does not violate the…
March 7, 2014
In a unanimous opinion, the Tennessee Supreme Court has held that state law allows a plaintiff to add a defendant whose involvement was raised by the original defendant, even when the plaintiff was aware of the new defendant before the statute of limitations expired.The case involves Michael Becker…
March 7, 2014
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today appointed Carma Dennis McGee of Savannah as chancellor in the 24th Judicial District. She replaces Chancellor Ron E. Harmon, who died September 14, 2013.McGee will serve immediately upon her appointment and be up for election this August. The 24th…