News
February 26, 2013
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam has appointed Deborah C. Stevens of Knoxville as Circuit Court Judge for the 6th Judicial District in Knox County following the retirement of Judge Wheeler A. Rosenbalm. “I am pleased to appoint Deborah Stevens in light of her 30-year career,” Haslam said. “She has…
February 26, 2013
The Tennessee Supreme Court has sent a Hamblen County case back to chancery court for a retrial, after ruling that certain evidence regarding a will and a widow’s real estate holding was improperly admitted.A jury verdict invalidated the marriage of Raymond Smallman and Linda Caraway, which…
February 26, 2013
With the retirement of Janice Rawls as Chief Deputy Clerk for the Appellate Court Clerk’s Office in Nashville on March 31st, Mike Catalano, the Clerk of the Appellate Courts, has promoted Lisa Marsh from the position of Associate Chief Deputy Clerk to Chief Deputy Clerk.Ms. Marsh worked for the…
February 25, 2013
The Tennessee Supreme Court reinstated a jury verdict for compensatory damages against Americare Systems, Inc., the management company of Celebration Way, an assisted living facility in Shelbyville. The Supreme Court remanded the jury verdict for punitive damages to the Court of Appeals for…
February 25, 2013
The Judicial Nominating Commission is now accepting applications for the Criminal Court vacancy in the 30th Judicial District. The vacancy was created by the death of the Honorable W. Otis Higgs.The 30th Judicial District serves Shelby County.Interested applicants must…
February 22, 2013
The Tennessee Supreme Court ruled today that when the Tennessee Department of Labor approves a workers’ compensation settlement and accepts the statistical data form submitted along with the settlement, a court may not later find that the statistical data form is incomplete and set aside the…
February 21, 2013
In a unanimous opinion, the Tennessee Supreme Court today sent Brandon Mobley’s post‑conviction case back to the Knox County Criminal Court for further hearings regarding the use of a stun belt during his trial.In 2003, Mr. Mobley shot and killed Joshua Nance and Oshalique Hoffman. He was convicted…
February 21, 2013
In a unanimous Opinion released today, the Tennessee Supreme Court upheld a trial court ruling that termination of a mother’s parental rights was not in the best interests of the children.The Bradley County mother and father were divorced in 2002 and entered into a parenting plan for their two…
February 21, 2013
The Judicial Nominating Commission is now accepting applications for the Circuit Court vacancy in the 3rd Judicial District. The vacancy was created by the retirement of the Honorable Kindall T. Lawson effective May 31, 2013.The 3rd Judicial District serves Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins and Greene…
February 20, 2013
The Board of Judicial Conduct has issued a public reprimand against Polk County General Sessions Judge Billy D. Baliles, in response to a complaint filed against the judge.View the Public Reprimand
February 19, 2013
Judge Kindall T. Lawson, Circuit Court Judge in the 3rd Judicial District, has announced his retirement effective June 1, 2013.Judge Lawson has been on the bench since 1996. In addition to his time as a Circut Court judge, he served as Hawkins County General Sessions Judge from 1974-1993.Judge…
February 18, 2013
The Tennessee legal community is mourning the loss of Shelby County Criminal Court Judge W. Otis Higgs, who died suddenly late Friday evening, February 15, 2013.Higgs had worked earlier Friday on the bench, but went home ill. He later collapsed at his East Memphis house, and was taken to a hospital…
February 15, 2013
The Judicial Nominating Commission is now accepting applications for the Chancery Court vacancy in the 3rd Judicial District. The vacancy was created by appointment of Chancellor Thomas R. ‘Skip’ Frierson to the Tennessee Court of Appeals.The 3rd Judicial District serves Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins…
February 13, 2013
Chief Justice Gary Wade visited with more than 50 of this year's Legislative interns as they discussed the ins and outs of how the Tennessee judicial system works on Friday, February 8.The more than hour-long conversation included a lengthy discussion about oral arguments in a Tennessee Supreme…
February 13, 2013
Tennessee Supreme Court Justices Cornelia A. Clark, Janice M. Holder and Sharon G. Lee visited Sewanee last week to meet with students, faculty and staff and participate in a discussion.The justices met Friday morning with junior and senior female students interested in law and policy. Also on…
February 12, 2013
Chief Justice Wade will swear in the newest member of the Tennessee Court of Appeals Thursday at the Supreme Court Building in Knoxville.Chancellor Thomas R. “Skip” Frierson will officially become Appeals Court Judge Frierson at 2 p.m. Thursday, February 14Frierson was appointed last week by Gov.…
February 11, 2013
In an effort to increase the number of attorneys and law offices providing pro bono services to those who cannot afford legal costs, the Tennessee Supreme Court is launching an extensive recognition program.Chief Justice Gary R. Wade announced today that the Court will honor all attorneys providing…
February 8, 2013
The Judicial Nominating Commission met on February 8, 2013 in Johnson City, TN and after interviewing the candidates, they have submitted the following three as nominees for the Criminal Court vacancy in the 1st Judicial District, which serves Carter, Johnson, Unicoi and Washington counties.…
February 8, 2013
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today appointed Thomas R. “Skip” Frierson, II as a judge for the Tennessee Court of Appeals, Eastern Section.Frierson replaces the Hon. Judge Herschel P. Franks, who retired at the end of 2012.“Skip Frierson has spent the last 23 years serving in public office in East…
February 7, 2013
The Judicial Nominating Commission met on February 7, 2013 in Tazewell, TN and after interviewing the candidates, they have submitted the following three as nominees for the Chancery Court vacancy in the 8th Judicial District:…