News
October 15, 2025
The Trial Court Vacancy Commission met in Nashville to select nominees for a vacancy in the 20th Judicial District Third Circuit Court. After holding a public hearing and conducting public interviews, the Commission selected the following nominees:Bethany P. GlandorfMorgan E. SmithJohn R. WilksTo…
October 15, 2025
The Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments is now accepting applications to fill a vacancy on the Tennessee Court of Appeals following the retirement of Judge Kenny Armstrong on February 9, 2026.Qualified applicants must be licensed attorneys who are at least 30 years of age, have been…
October 13, 2025
The Tennessee Supreme Court today held that a woman who filed a wrongful death lawsuit complied with the state’s health care liability pre-suit notice statute when she identified herself as the claimant authorizing the notice and the mother of the patient.Bobbie Jo Denson sent pre-suit notice and…
October 13, 2025
Today in Matthew Long v. Chattanooga Fire and Police Pension Fund, the Tennessee Supreme Court reinstated the Chattanooga Fire and Police Pension Fund’s (Fund) denial of the plaintiff’s pension benefits. The plaintiff, Matthew Long, was a firefighter. In 2020, he applied for job-…
October 8, 2025
Nashville, Tenn. – The Tennessee Supreme Court today held that the warrantless seizure of a firearm did not violate the U.S. Constitution. The Court found that the firearm was seized properly under the “plain view exception.” Seizures made without first obtaining a warrant generally are considered…
October 3, 2025
The Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments is now accepting applications to fill a vacancy on the Tennessee Supreme Court following the retirement of Justice Holly Kirby on June 30, 2026.Qualified applicants must be licensed attorneys who are at least 35 years of age, have been residents of…
September 25, 2025
Judge Chris Frulla is drawn to career paths that demand patience, precision, and unearthing the truth. He’s now a circuit court judge in the 30th Judicial District, but has been in the practice of excavation before.“I had the pleasure of doing a two-week archeological survey on an island down in…
September 23, 2025
Nashville, Tenn. – On October 1, 2025, the Tennessee Supreme Court will hear oral arguments for its October docket in Nashville, Tennessee. Oral arguments will be heard at the Tennessee Supreme Court building in Nashville and livestreamed here…
September 23, 2025
Nashville, Tenn. – Justice Holly Kirby has announced she will retire from the Tennessee Supreme Court, effective June 30, 2026.Justice Kirby was appointed to the Tennessee Supreme Court by Governor Bill Haslam in 2014, serving as Chief Justice from 2023-2025. Throughout her legal career, Justice…
September 19, 2025
Governor Bill Lee appointed Judge Jim Todd to the 20th Judicial District Criminal Court, which covers Davidson County.Judge Todd currently serves as a judge in the Davidson County General Sessions Court, District VI. He earned his bachelor’s degree at Vanderbilt University and juris doctor at…
September 19, 2025
Nashville, Tenn. - The Tennessee Supreme Court today affirmed the suspension of a Davidson County attorney for his disclosure of confidential client communications in violation of the ethics rules for lawyers. The violations stemmed from attorney James B. Johnson’s representation of a client…
September 12, 2025
Nashville, Tenn. - The Trial Court Vacancy Commission has received five applications for a vacancy in the 20th Judicial District following the retirement of the Honorable Phillip R. Robinson on Oct. 17, 2025. The 20th Judicial District covers Davidson County, and this circuit court will be assigned…
September 10, 2025
Judge Emily Abbott was appointed by Governor Bill Lee to serve on the Sixth Judicial District Criminal Court on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. She was sworn in just three days later.“I wanted to go ahead and get sworn in immediately to be able to start hearing cases because Knox County had been without a…
September 5, 2025
Not long after taking the bench in Gibson County, General Sessions Court Judge Bradley Owens made a startling observation- many of the defendants before him did not understand the legal consequences of their choices.“I see all of these adults, even with violation of probation, even after they would…
September 4, 2025
Nashville, Tenn. - The Supreme Court has elected Justice Jeff Bivins to be the next Chief Justice of the Court. Justice Bivins was unanimously elected by the Court for a three-year term, effective September 1, 2025. This is the second time Justice Bivins will serve as Chief Justice. He…
August 29, 2025
Nashville, Tenn. - On September 4, 2025, the Tennessee Supreme Court will hear oral arguments for its September docket in Knoxville, Tennessee. Oral arguments will be heard at the Tennessee Supreme Court building in Knoxville and livestreamed to the TNCourts YouTube page…
August 29, 2025
Governor Bill Lee appointed Chris Frulla to the Circuit Court and Raymond Lepone to the Criminal Court in Judicial District 30, which covers Shelby County.Chris Frulla currently serves as a partner at Rainey, Kizer, Reviere & Bell, PLC. Frulla earned his bachelor’s degree at College of…
August 25, 2025
Nashville, Tenn- The Trial Court Vacancy Commission is currently accepting applications to fill the vacancy in the 20th Judicial District Third Circuit Court following the retirement of the Honorable Phillip R. Robinson on Oct. 17, 2025.The 20th Judicial District covers Davidson County, and this…
August 18, 2025
Governor Bill Lee appointed Emily Abbott to the 6th Judicial District Criminal Court, which covers Knox County, and William Lane to the 32ndJudicial District Circuit and Chancery Courts, which cover Hickman, Lewis and Perry counties, on Aug. 15, 2025.Emily Abbott currently serves as an Assistant…
August 18, 2025
Governor Bill Lee appointed Emily Abbott to the 6th Judicial District Criminal Court, which covers Knox County, and William Lane to the 32ndJudicial District Circuit and Chancery Courts, which cover Hickman, Lewis and Perry counties, on Aug. 15, 2025.Emily Abbott currently serves as an Assistant…