NEWS SUMMARY

	The Judicial Nominating Commission application for membership is now available. Click here to see our press release and links to additional information.
	The indigent defense fund received supplemental money as part of budget plan approved by the governor. Click here to read more.
	The Tennessee Judicial Conference elected Chancellor Carol McCoy as organization President at their June conference in Memphis. Click here to read more.
	Parent Education and Mediation Fund (PEMF) grants awarded for 2009-2010. 16 organizations to benefit. Click here to read more.
More News:	Amy Hollars appointed to 13th District circuit Court. David Durham installed as 15th District Criminal Court Judge. Justice Lee Addresses East TN Regional Economic Summit for Women. Chief Justice Holder, Justice Wade address graduates at commencement ceremonies Justice Clark speaks to Drug Court graduates.

Application Available for Judicial Nominating Commission

Nashville, Tenn. – The Administrative Office of the Courts is now accepting applications for the new Judicial Nominating Commission, which will review and recommend applicants for vacancies on the appellate and state trial courts for the governor’s consideration. The Judicial Nominating Commission will replace the Judicial Selection Commission, which will cease to exist on June 30, 2009.

The newly formed commission will be composed of 17 members. The speakers of the house and senate will each appoint eight members – two people from each of the state’s three grand divisions and two at-large members. One non-lawyer member will be appointed jointly. At least 10 members of the commission must be attorneys.

Members of this newly formed commission must be at least 30-years-old and a citizen of the state for at least five years. Additionally, members of the Judicial Nominating Commission cannot be office holders with political parties or political organizations, lobbyists or employees of lobbyists, or salaried office holders of the state of Tennessee or the United States, which includes judges, legislators or any individual who has been appointed or elected in a manner prescribed by law.

“The Judicial Nominating Commission will play an important role in ensuring that Tennessee has qualified and fair-minded people serving on the state’s judiciary,” said Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey. “We encourage anyone who is interested in participating in the judicial nominating process to submit their application.”

"The Judicial Nominating Commission plays an essential role in helping ensure that Tennessee has a fair, qualified, diverse and impartial judiciary," said House Speaker Kent Williams. "It is important that the make-up of the Commission also reflects those same qualities. I hope we get substantial interest across the state from individuals seeking to serve on this important commission."

Anyone who wishes to be considered for the Judicial Nominating Commission must complete an application, which can be found here. All applications must be received by the Administrative Office of the Courts by Friday, July 31 at 4:30 p.m. central time.

Once applications have been received by the Administrative Office of the Courts, information about each applicant will be posted online at www.tncourts.gov. The public will have the opportunity to comment on the applicants for the commission for a period of 14 days. Once public comments have been received, the speaker of the house and senate will have 14 days to appoint members to the Judicial Nominating Commission.

Governor Approves Supplemental Money for Indigent Defense Fund

Nashville, Tenn. – An additional $5 million has been added to the state’s indigent defense fund to pay remaining claims for the 2008-2009 fiscal year. The supplemental funding comes as part of the $29.4 billion budget signed by Governor Bredesen Thursday. The $5 million in supplemental funding will go toward paying attorneys’ fees and expert witnesses for indigent claims that have not yet been paid for 2008-2009 fiscal year. Attorneys will begin receiving checks next week.

During the 2009-2010 fiscal year, the indigent defense fund will receive $21.4 million, along with $5 million in non-recurring funds.

“The indigent defense fund is fundamental to the administration of justice in Tennessee and we thank the governor and general assembly for including the supplemental funding in the budget plan,” said Libby Sykes, director of the Administrative Office of the Courts. “We also thank attorneys statewide for their patience during the past several weeks, and commend them for continuing to represent Tennesseans that cannot afford legal representation.”

Judges Attend Annual Conference;
McCoy Elected Conference President

Chancellor Carol McCoy (left) was elected president of the Tennessee Judicial Conference. Chancellor McCoy is pictured with outgoing president Judge Bill Acree.

Trial and appellate judges from across the state gathered in Memphis, Tenn., for their annual judicial conference. The conference featured more than 11 hours of Continuing Legal Education (CLE) seminars with topics ranging from the legal implications of electronic medical records to internet crimes against children. A joint CLE regarding appellate advocacy was also held with members of the Tennessee Bar Association.

During the conference, Chancellor Carol McCoy of the 20th judicial district was elected as the Tennessee Judicial Conference president. Chancellor McCoy replaces outgoing Conference President Bill Acree, circuit court judge of the 27th judicial district. Chancellor McCoy is the first female president of Tennessee Judicial Conference.

AOC Awards Grant Funds from
Parent Education and Mediation Fund (PEMF)

The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) awarded nearly $220,000 in grants from the Parent Education and Mediation Fund (PEMF) to organizations that provide court-related assistance to low-income parties. The 16 organizations that received funding for the 2009-2010 fiscal year provide services such as mediation and interpreter services for low-income parties, courses to improve dispute resolution skills among families, and offering a safe atmosphere for children when exchanged between parents.

The PEMF is funded through a portion of marriage license fees. The grant money is then awarded as part of Public Chapter 889, known as the Tennessee Parenting Plan Law, which was enacted by the Tennessee General Assembly enacted the law in 2000. In developing this legislation, the general assembly “recognize[d] the fundamental importance of the parent-child relationship to the welfare of the child, and the relationship between the child and each parent should be fostered unless inconsistent with the child's best interests.” (T.C.A. §36-6-401.) The legislation also provided 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 the divorcing parent education and mediation fund, which funding includes the costs of court-ordered mediation, parenting education programs and any related services to resolve family conflict in divorce, post-divorce, and other child custody matters.” (T.C.A. §36-6-413.)

The following organizations received a grant from the Parent Education and Mediation Fund:

• 1st Judicial District Court Clinic – serving Carter, Johnson, Unicoi, and Washington counties
• 4th Judicial District Court Clinic, Community House Cooperative – serving Cocke, Grainger, Jefferson, and Sevier counties
• Community Mediation Center, Knoxville – serving Knox county
• Community Health of East Tennessee – serving Campbell, Anderson, and surrounding counties
• 10th Judicial District Parenting Plan Coordinator – serving Bradley, Polk, McMinn, and Monroe counties
• 11th Judicial District Parenting Plan Coordinator – serving Hamilton county
• Legal Aid of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands – serving Grundy, Franklin, Coffee, Bedford, Lincoln, Moore, and Warren counties
• Sumner County Government Parenting Plan Coordinator – serving Sumner county
• Sumner Mediation Services – serving Sumner county
• Metropolitan Government of Nashville – serving Davidson county
• The Exchange Club Family Center, Nashville – serving Davidson county
• Hickman County Bar Association
• The Mediation Center, Columbia – serving Maury county
• Active Living, LLC – serving Crockett, Gibson, Dyer, and Haywood counties
• The Exchange Club Family Center, Memphis – serving Shelby county
• The University of Memphis, Dept. of Psychology – serving Shelby county

For more information on the PEMF fund, please contact Anne-Louise Wirthlin, AOC Programs Manager, at 615-741-2687 or at anne.louise.wirthlin@tncourts.gov.

Bredesen Appoints Amy V. Hollars to
Tennessee Circuit Court For Thirteenth Judicial District 

 NASHVILLE - Governor Phil Bredesen today appointed Amy V. Hollars of Livingston, Tenn., to the Tennessee Circuit Court for the Thirteenth Judicial District.  Hollars will fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Judge John A. Turnbull. The Thirteenth Judicial District is composed of Clay, Cumberland, DeKalb, Overton, Pickett, Putnam and White Counties.   

"Amy Hollars has developed extensive civil trial experience in her career, and I'm confident her skills, education and practice experience will serve her well in this capacity," said Bredesen.  "I am pleased to appoint Amy to this seat, and I appreciate her willingness to serve the citizens of the Thirteenth Judicial District." 

Hollars previously served as a solo practitioner in Overton County as well as attorney for the City of Livingston from October 2007 through October 2008.  She is a former partner in the Knoxville firm Hodges, Doughty and Carson. 

"I'm honored to receive this appointment and appreciate the confidence Governor Bredesen has shown in me," Hollars said.  "I look forward to working with the litigants, attorneys and the public at large, and I will endeavor to do the work of a trial judge with integrity, fairness and diligence."

Hollars was appointed as special circuit court judge for the Thirteenth Judicial District by Governor Bredesen in October 2008 after Judge Turnbull submitted a notice of physical disability.  Tennessee law provides a process for the appointment of a special temporary judge in the event sickness or disability prevents a state judge from carrying out his or her duties.

Hollars, 42, holds degrees from the University of the South and Vanderbilt University and received her Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Tennessee College of Law. She previously served on the Board of Directors of the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands. She and her husband James Hollars have three children.

Durham Sworn in as Criminal Court Judge

In a formal investiture ceremony on June 5, David E. Durham was sworn in by Gov. Phil Bredesen as the criminal court judge for the 15th judicial district, which comprises Jackson, Macon, Smith, Trousdale and Wilson counties. Durham was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the death of Judge J.O. Bond in December.

Prior to his appointment as criminal court judge, Durham served the 15th judicial district as deputy district attorney general since 2006. He also served as assistant district attorney general for both the child support and criminal divisions. Durham is a graduate of the University of Tennessee School of Law.

Justice Lee Offers Encouraging Words at Women’s Summit

Justice Lee (right) talks with Judge Angelita Blackshear Dalton of the Davidson County General Sessions Court, at the Women’s Summit. Photo courtesy of the Knoxville News Sentinel.

On June 4, Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Sharon Lee addressed more than 80 women at the East Tennessee Regional Economic Summit for Women. The event, which was held at Maryville College, was geared to help women learn about reaching their financial goals for their businesses and personal lives.

Justice Lee, the keynote speaker for the event, shared the story of her journey to becoming a judge. In relating her story, Justice Lee encouraged the women to “start their own engines” and to keep working hard to achieve their goals.

“Even though I have been successful in my career, I have had some disappointments and some failures,” said Justice Lee. “But I kept trying to start my engine, and I had lots of help from friends and family who gave me a push and a boost.”

To read more about Justice Lee’s speech, please click here to read the Knoxville News Sentinel’s coverage of the event.

Chief Justice Holder and Justice Wade Speak at Recent Commencements

Chief Justice Holder congratulates AOC Indigent Defense Manager and
Nashville School of Law graduate, Jeana Hendrix.

During the recent graduation season, Chief Justice Janice Holder and Justice Gary Wade addressed hundreds of Tennessee students during their commencement addresses.

On May 23, Chief Justice Holder addressed the graduates of Nashville School of Law. In her speech, Chief Justice Holder applauded the students for their determination and commitment to complete law school while working full time.

“You will be on the front line of the legal system in Tennessee and will make a bigger difference in the lives of Tennesseans because, having worked hard for your education, you know how to work hard to accomplish your goals and those of your clients,” said Chief Justice Holder. “Your contributions as lawyers can and will be significant.”

Chief Justice Holder also commented on the newly formed Access to Justice Commission and encouraged the graduates to participant in pro bono work and free legal clinics.

“This profession gives lawyers the opportunity to do good things for the right reasons,” said Chief Justice Holder. “As you continue to juggle the demands on your time, please take advantage of the opportunities to do good things that this profession provides.”

Justice Gary Wade spoke to nearly 300 students at the Lincoln Memorial University graduation on May 2. During his commencement address, Justice Wade encouraged the students to look beyond vocation as the measure of success. Instead, he challenged them to focus on nourishing their spiritual well-being by lending a hand, cherishing friends and family and comforting those in need.

“The teachings here are primarily for the head. To give unselfishly to others or to support a worthy cause is for the heart,” said Justice Gary Wade. “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”

During the ceremony, Justice Wade also received an honorary degree from the university. The event was featured in the Middlesboro Daily News. To read the article, click here.

Justice Clark Addresses Drug Court Graduates

Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Cornelia Clark spoke to the graduates of the 21st Judicial District Drug Court on May 21. The 21st Judicial District Drug Court, which covers Williamson, Hickman, Perry and Lewis Counties, helps non-violent drug offenders recover from substance abuse.

Graduates of the Drug Court have completed an intensive two-year program, which includes daily one-on-one and group counseling, visits to 12-step program meetings and treatment sessions three times a week, weekly check-ins with the Drug Court, and regular drug testing.

Participants in Drug Court still have to complete their full sentence, however, some Drug Court graduates may be granted a shortened sentence or have their charges dropped.

In congratulating the seven graduates of the program, Justice Clark noted that Drug Court has helped the participants recover from the frown of failure to achieve the smile of success.

“Part of your story inevitably reflects failure. Part of mine does, too. All of us have failed at something we have tried in life,” said Justice Clark. “But if we are wise we see that failure should be our teacher, not our undertaker.”

Justice Clark went on to emphasize the importance of smiling.

“A smile costs nothing but gives much. It enriches those who receive without making poorer those who give it away,” said Justice Clark. “A smile takes but a moment, but the memory of it sometimes lasts forever.” 

The Tennessee Court System provides this site as a public service, offering convenient public access to court reports, court information, and employment opportunities in the court system, as well as Tennessee Appellate Court opinions. Information posted on this site is believed to be accurate, but is not guaranteed.