News
April 1, 2013
Kathleen Gomes has been selected as interim probate judge by the Shelby County Commission.The selection was announced Monday. Gomes replaces retiring Probate Court Judge Robert Benham, who has served in that role since 1997.Gomes has practiced law in Tennessee since 1980 and is a partner with…
March 28, 2013
The Tennessee Supreme Court today upheld a trial court’s decision that it lacked jurisdiction over a lawsuit filed by the State of Tennessee against an Indonesian cigarette manufacturer to collect payments allegedly owed under the Tennessee Tobacco Manufacturers’ Escrow Fund Act.In 1998, Tennessee…
March 27, 2013
The Judicial Nominating Commission met on March 27, 2013 in Memhpis, Tenn., to hold a public hearing and conduct interviews of candidates for the Criminal Court vacancy in the 30th Judicial District. After interviewing the candidates and conducting a vote, they have submitted the following three as…
March 27, 2013
In a unanimous opinion, the Tennessee Supreme Court rejected the claim of the defendant that the district attorney in her trial for the kidnapping and murder of her husband’s ex-wife had improperly used a grand jury proceeding as an investigatory tool for pending indictments.On September 8, 2002,…
March 25, 2013
In an effort to provide beginning lawyers with access to more resources and to encourage seasoned attorneys to take new lawyers under their wings, the organization that runs Tennessee’s continuing legal education program has established a new formal mentoring program.The program will pair attorneys…
March 22, 2013
In a unanimous opinion, the Tennessee Supreme Court affirmed the conviction of Jereme Dannuel Little on one count of especially aggravated kidnapping, for which he received an 18-year sentence. The Court rejected each of Little’s claims, including his argument that the trial court, which had…
March 22, 2013
The Tennessee Supreme Court has affirmed a ruling by the Court of Criminal Appeals, which set aside the conviction of James David Moats for driving under the influence after a police officer discovered him parked in a grocery store parking lot.After observing that the arresting officer admitted…
March 22, 2013
The Tennessee Supreme Court today upheld a trial court’s decision invalidating a will because the will was contrary to a contract between the maker of the will and her deceased husband.Roy Brown, Jr. and Ina Brown were married in the 1980s. Both of them had children from previous marriages. In June…
March 21, 2013
The Tennessee Supreme Court today decided that a prisoner who missed the filing deadline for a post-conviction relief petition was entitled to have his petition considered because of the deficient conduct of his former lawyer.In 2003, a Shelby County jury convicted Artis Whitehead of various…
March 18, 2013
In 2000, the Tennessee General Assembly enacted Public Chapter 889, known as the Tennessee Parenting Plan Law which provides for funding to be distributed by the Administrative Office of the Courts “for the specific purpose of funding the parenting plan requirements pursuant to this part, through…
March 18, 2013
The Victim Offender Reconciliation Program of Tennessee (VORP) was sanctioned by the legislature in 1993. Pursuant to this legislation, the Administrative Office of the Courts has grant funds available for fiscal year 2013-2014 for VORP programs based on the statutory criteria listed in T.C.A…
March 13, 2013
In a unanimous opinion, the Tennessee Supreme Court today affirmed the Court of Appeals’ determination that a father willfully failed to visit his three children and is subject to termination of his parental rights.The mother and stepfather of the children sought to terminate the father’s parental…
March 11, 2013
Five attorneys have applied to fill the Chancery Court vacancy in the 3rd Judicial District, which serves Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins and Greene Counties. The vacancy was created by the appointment of Chancellor Thomas R. Frierson to the Tennessee Court of Appeals.The Judicial Nominating Commission…
March 11, 2013
Four attorneys have applied to fill the Circuit Court vacancy in the 3rd Judicial District, which serves Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins and Greene Counties. The vacancy was created by the retirement of the Honorable Kindall T. Lawson effective May 31, 2013.The Judicial Nominating Commission will…
March 11, 2013
Ten attorneys have applied to fill the Criminal Court vacancy in the 30th Judicial District, which serves Shelby County. The vacancy was created by the death of Shelby County Criminal Court Judge W. Otis Higgs in late February.The Judicial Nominating Commission will hold a public meeting at 9…
March 8, 2013
Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Sharon G. Lee recently was honored by the University of Tennessee College of Law's Reynolds Chapter of Phi Alpha Delta. The annual Judges Reception was held on February 28, 2013 at the Neyland Stadium skybox in Knoxville.Justice Lee addressed…
March 8, 2013
The Judicial Nominating Commission met on March 8, 2013 in Shelbyville, Tenn., to hold a public hearing and conduct interviews of candidates for the Circuit Court vacancy in the 17th Judicial District. After interviewing the candidates and conducting a vote, they have submitted the following three…
March 8, 2013
Tennessee's newest circuit court judge was sworn in this week in Knox County.Judge Deborah C. Stevens received the oath from Knox County Juvenile Court Judge Tim Irwin in a ceremony at the city county building.For more details and photos, see the…
March 6, 2013
More than 50 lawyers, paralegals, judges, court clerks, and administrative staff of pro bono legal clinics gathered in Nashville recently to discuss strategies for pro bono legal clinics.The Pro Bono Legal Clinic Seminar was sponsored by the Access to Justice Commission with the support of the…
March 4, 2013
Tennessee Court of Appeals Judge Frank G. Clement joined other state and local officials last week for Read Me Week 2013, a week-long event highlighting the importance and fun of reading. Judge Clement visited Shwab Elementary School in Nashville and read to third graders in the Reading Room.…