News
August 16, 2013
In February 2013, the Supreme Court launched an extensive recognition program to honor all attorneys volunteering at least 50 hours of pro bono service annually. Attorneys meeting the Court’s minimum goal of 50 pro bono hours annually will be named “Attorneys for Justice” by the Supreme Court.A key…
August 13, 2013
The Tennessee Supreme Court ruled unanimously today that the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department Civil Service Board exceeded its statutory authority in ordering Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Hammond to equalize the pay of sergeants in the department.Six sergeants with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s…
August 13, 2013
The Tennessee Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (TCJFCJ) has named Judge Nolan R. Goolsby of Putnam County as recipient of the 2013 McCain-Abernathy Memorial Award. This is the highest distinction conferred by the TCJFCJ. Judge Goolsby was nominated by his colleagues in recognition…
August 12, 2013
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam will visit Hawkins County this week to perform the formal investiture ceremony for Circuit Court Judge Mike Faulk and Chancellor Douglas T. Jenkins.The ceremony will take place at 2 p.m. EDT Wednesday, August 14 at Church Hill Middle School, 211 Oak St., Church Hill.Both…
August 12, 2013
In a unanimous opinion, the Tennessee Supreme Court refused to apply an antiquated rule classifying minor victims of sex offenses as accomplices in the crime and eliminated the requirement that testimony of the victim be corroborated by other independent evidence. The ruling upholds the aggravated…
August 12, 2013
In a unanimous opinion, the Tennessee Supreme Court has granted a new trial for Terrance Antonio Cecil on a charge of false imprisonment, holding that the trial court did not provide appropriate instruction to the jury as required by the Court’s recent ruling in State v. White. The Court upheld…
August 9, 2013
The Administrative Office of the Courts has approximately $200,000 in grant funding available for the development or continuation of initiatives that will aid self-represented litigants in accessing the Tennessee court system regarding child support issues.This funding is made possible through the…
August 9, 2013
In a unanimous Opinion, the Tennessee Supreme Court has affirmed the nine-month suspension of a Chattanooga attorney’s law license for violation of the Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct in his representation of two clients.H. Owen Maddux, a solo practitioner, represented a Hamilton County…
August 8, 2013
Judge Camille R. McMullen made history in 2008 when she became the first African-American woman to serve at the appellate court level in Tennessee. This week, she made history again as the first African-American woman ever to preside over a panel of an appellate court proceeding in the state.On…
August 7, 2013
Gov. Bill Haslam has announced the appointment of John C. Rambo as chancellor in the First Judicial District in east Tennessee.Rambo, 43, has served as Washington County attorney since 1999 and as municipal judge in Jonesborough since 2003. He worked as a solo practitioner from 2008-2012,…
August 6, 2013
The Tennessee Appellate Court Clerk’s Office will complete installation later this month of a new digital tracking system for the appellate courts, allowing for greater access to information for lawyers, litigants and the general public.The new case management system, known as C-Track, will provide…
August 1, 2013
After more than three decades serving the legal profession, Shelby County Circuit Court Judge Kay Spalding Robilio will retire at the end of this month.“My heart is full of gratitude for the opportunity to serve for these 30 years,” Robilio said. “It has been rewarding and affirming and I have…
July 25, 2013
The Tennessee Supreme Court’s Access to Justice Commission has released an extensive study showing that attorneys in Tennessee are providing more free and reduced-rate legal services to those in need.The report shows that in 2011 the number of hours that attorneys in Tennessee volunteered their…
July 23, 2013
JudgeM. Keith Siskin, of Division III of the Circuit Court for Rutherford and Cannon counties, has introduced a new website for the Court.Judge Siskin said that the new website is part of his ongoing effort to make the court more open and accessible to the public. The website allows members of the…
July 23, 2013
The Tennessee Supreme Court has issued an order soliciting comments regarding proposed changes to Supreme Court Rule 31: Alternative Dispute Resolution.The Alternative Dispute Resolution Commission filed a petition July 15, 2013 requesting the Court amend ten sections of the rule. The Court has…
July 15, 2013
The Tennessee Supreme Court’s Access to Justice initiative provides several informational videos for both the general public and attorneys on a variety of legal topics. These videos now include closed captioning to make the guidance accessible to even more people.The videos review topics for the…
July 10, 2013
The Third Judicial District welcomed its newest judge today, a day after Gov. Bill Haslam appointed Douglas T. Jenkins of Rogersville as chancellor.Criminal Court Judge John F. Dugger, Jr. performed the swearing in of Judge Jenkins.Judge Jenkins, 45, has practiced in the Law Office of Douglas T.…
July 10, 2013
Williamson County General Sessions Judge Al Nations has announced he will retire at the end of September. “I am incredibly grateful to the citizens of Williamson County for the opportunity to serve the community for 18 years as a judge and 25 as a school teacher and administrator,” Judge Nations…
July 9, 2013
A new documentary highlighting the history of the Tennessee State Capitol was released earlier this month by Secretary of State Tre Hargett’s office.Created by the staff of the Tennessee State Library and Archives, it is the first part of a project that eventually will include a virtual tour of the…
July 5, 2013
Memphis Criminal Court Judge Chris Craft was recently recognized by the Tennessee Lawyer’s Assistance Program as the group’s JAG Judicial Volunteer of the Year.This is the first year of the award, which was presented at TLAP’s annual retreat at Montgomery Bell State Park.The Judicial Assistance…