News
March 21, 2023
The Tennessee Supreme Court ruled today that the Shelby County Civil Service Merit Board did not act arbitrarily or capriciously by affirming the termination of Shelby County firefighter Paul Zachary Moss without hearing evidence of discipline previously imposed on other firefighters. This is the…
March 9, 2023
Attorney Matt Wilson was confirmed today by the General Assembly as the newest member of the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals – Western Section. Wilson was appointed by Governor Bill Lee in January after a lengthy application process that included a public hearing. He fills the vacancy left…
March 9, 2023
Attorney Dwight E. Tarwater was officially confirmed by the General Assembly as the newest justice on the Tennessee Supreme Court. Justice-designate Tarwater was nominated by Governor Bill Lee in January after a lengthy application process that included a public hearing. He will take the bench on…
March 7, 2023
The Parliament of Ukraine recently reached out to the National Judicial College (NJC) for assistance with revamping its judicial system at three different levels. The NJC responded by asking nine United States judges to write position papers for the parliament. Three judges were asked to handle…
February 24, 2023
The Trial Court Vacancy Commission met today, Friday, February 24, 2023, to consider six candidates for the chancery court vacancy in the 7th Judicial District, which includes Anderson County. The vacancy was created by the resignation of the Honorable M. Nichole Cantrell, effective January 31,…
February 22, 2023
Intergovernmental Affairs Court Improvement Program Director Stacy Lynch and Project Coordinator/Staff Assistant Elizabeth Whitt recently attended the Liberating Structures Immersion Workshop with Court Improvement Programs from other states. Liberating Structures rethink how people work together…
February 21, 2023
The Tennessee Supreme Court has two cases set for its February 22, 2023 docket. The two cases will be heard in Nashville beginning at 9 a.m. CST. The cases will be livestreamed to the TNCourts YouTube page at: www.youtube.com/@TNCourts/featured…
February 16, 2023
Today, the Tennessee Supreme Court reversed a decision of the Court of Appeals that had allowed a plaintiff to proceed with her claims of gross negligence and recklessness against governmental entities under the Tennessee Governmental Tort Liability Act. The Tennessee Supreme Court held that the…
February 6, 2023
The Trial Court Vacancy Commission will consider six applicants when it meets on Friday, February 24 to select nominees for a vacancy in the 7th Judicial District, which covers Anderson County. The vacancy was created by the resignation of the Honorable M. Nichole Cantrell, effective January…
February 2, 2023
Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced the appointment of Dwight E. Tarwater to the Tennessee Supreme Court and Matthew Wilson to the Court of Criminal Appeals, Western Section.
“Dwight is a highly qualified attorney who will bring significant experience to the Tennessee Supreme Court,”…
January 27, 2023
The YWCA of Nashville and Middle Tennessee recognized the Honorable Angelita Blackshear Dalton, Davidson County Criminal Court Judge, at its 31st Annual Academy for Women of Achievement (AWA) Awards held January 26 under the theme “United with Purpose.”
The YWCA AWA Awards recognize women who…
January 17, 2023
The Trial Court Vacancy Commission is accepting applications for a Chancellor in the 7th Judicial District, which covers Anderson County. The vacancy was created by the resignation of the Honorable M. Nichole Cantrell, effective January 31, 2023.
Qualified applicants must be licensed attorneys…
January 11, 2023
The Board of Judicial Conduct issued a Public Reprimand for Meigs County General Sessions Judge Casey Stokes. Read the Public Reprimand here.
January 11, 2023
Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee appointed Stanley Kweller as circuit court judge for the 20th Judicial District to fill a vacancy created by the passing of Judge Phil Smith in September 2022. The appointment of Judge Kweller is effective immediately.
“Stan is a highly qualified attorney, and…
January 10, 2023
Sixth Judicial District Criminal Court Judge Hector Sanchez was recently featured in Knox New's 40 Under 40 as well as WVLT's Going My Way segment. Judge Sanchez was appointed to the bench by Governor Bill Lee in September 2022 and is the state's first Hispanic trial court judge. Both media…
January 4, 2023
The Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments met today to consider five applicants for an upcoming vacancy on the Tennessee Supreme Court. The vacancy was created by the announcement of the retirement of the Honorable Sharon G. Lee, effective August 31, 2023.After holding a public hearing and…
December 21, 2022
Supreme Court Justice Sharon G. Lee presented awards in the Tennessee Appellate Court’s Eastern Division to the following state employees for their years of service: Missy McConkey (25 years); Renee Hammond (20 years); Jennifer Rosser (15 years); Sally Goade, Tammy Capps, and Rebekah Bradley (10…
December 12, 2022
The Tennessee Supreme Court today appointed Sarah Keith of Knoxville and Donald Capparella of Nashville as new members on the Tennessee Advisory Commission on the Rules of Practice and Procedure. Judge Jennifer L. Smith, a criminal court judge in the 20th Judicial District, was appointed as the new…
December 12, 2022
The Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments will consider five candidates when it meets to select nominees for the Tennessee Supreme Court vacancy created by the retirement of the Honorable Sharon G. Lee, effective August 31, 2023.
The applicants are:…
December 9, 2022
The Tennessee Supreme Court today upheld partial consecutive sentencing that was imposed by a trial court after it had found that a defendant’s record of criminal activity was extensive. In upholding the sentence, the Court clarified the principles for determining whether an offender has an…