News
July 27, 2015
The Tennessee Supreme Court has unanimously affirmed a 180-day suspension of Memphis attorney Homer L. Cody’s law license.In 2011, the Board of Professional Responsibility filed a petition for discipline against Mr. Cody based on a complaint of misconduct. The petition alleged, among other…
July 24, 2015
Supreme Court Justice Gary R. Wade, who has served the Tennessee judiciary for 28 years as a judge, justice, and chief justice, has announced he will retire in September.
Justice Wade was appointed to the Supreme Court by Gov. Phil Bredesen in 2006. Wade was elected by his fellow justices to serve…
July 23, 2015
The Tennessee Supreme Court has upheld the decision by a hearing panel of the Board of Professional Responsibility to suspend Anderson County lawyer Yarboro Sallee’s law license for one year. The Court held that the sanction was appropriate in light of the multiple ethical violations Ms. Sallee…
July 14, 2015
The Tennessee Supreme Court has affirmed the kidnapping convictions in two separate cases in which the defendants were charged with the kidnapping and robbery of different victims. The first case involved the 2009 armed robbery of a Shoney’s restaurant in Nashville by Jerome Maurice Teats and…
July 14, 2015
We in the Judiciary mourn the loss of our friend, Judge D’Army Bailey, a devoted family man, an accomplished attorney and experienced trial court judge. We join with national and international commentators, elected officials, and local citizens who have lauded the impact of Judge D’Army…
July 2, 2015
The Tennessee Supreme Court has ruled that a challenge by death row inmates to electrocution as an alternative execution method is premature and therefore unripe for resolution by the courts at this time.In a unanimous opinion, the Court determined that the issue is not “ripe” because none of the…
July 1, 2015
The Tennessee Supreme Court has ruled that a widow whose husband died after a five-year battle with lung cancer will get a new trial to determine the amount of damages owed by her husband’s employer as a result of its negligence in contributing to her husband’s illness.For over 40 years, Winston…
July 1, 2015
The Tennessee Supreme Court has determined that a Nashville chiropractic clinic’s patient did not effectively assign his rights to insurance proceeds received from a third party’s insurance company. The case stems from a 2011 automobile accident that injured defendant Prentice Delon Hyler.…
June 30, 2015
The Tennessee Supreme Court has reversed a trial court’s dismissal of a health care liability lawsuit against an East Tennessee doctor and hospital, concluding that delivery of pre-suit notice of a health care liability action via FedEx is a proper method of service under Tennessee law. In…
June 25, 2015
The Tennessee Supreme Court has affirmed multiple convictions stemming from a domestic incident in which Terrence Feaster inflicted serious injuries upon his then-girlfriend, Molly Kate McWhirter, at her Knox County residence.In May of 2012, Feaster accompanied McWhirter to a sports bar in Knox…
June 5, 2015
The Tennessee Supreme Court reversed a trial court’s ruling that an arbitration agreement between a purchaser and a manufactured homebuilder was unfair and unenforceable, so it permitted the purchaser to sue the manufactured homebuilder in court. Richard A. Berent purchased a manufactured home…
June 3, 2015
The Tennessee Supreme Court rejected a Memphis defendant’s argument that he was entitled to a new trial because a witness on the stand said he was unable to recall his earlier statements about the murder.Marlo Davis was convicted of second degree murder and reckless homicide in the 2006 death of a…
June 1, 2015
The Tennessee Supreme Court has six cases set for oral argument this week in Nashville:Stephanie D. Turner v. Kevin Turner–This case involves the termination of a mother’s parental rights by default judgment. The trial court, in setting aside its previous order, determined that the father failed to…
May 29, 2015
The Tennessee Supreme Court has determined that, in health care liability lawsuits, the obligation to disclose the number of violationsof the certificate of good faith requirement does not compel any disclosure if there are no previous violations.In Tennessee, if a party files suit against a…
May 21, 2015
The Tennessee Supreme Court will hold oral arguments before hundreds of high school students next week as participants in the Girls and Boys State programs see Tennessee’s highest court in action.The Court session is just one element of weeklong programs students participate in to learn through…
Supreme Court Grants New Trial, Allows More Evidence of Surgical Risks in Health Care Liability Suit
May 18, 2015
The Tennessee Supreme Court has granted a new trial for an East Tennessee man who claims that his doctor failed to provide him with adequate information before operating on his back.In 2006, Ike J. White III, was suffering from back pain. He sought treatment from Dr. David A. Beeks, an orthopedic…
May 12, 2015
Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Sharon Lee challenged the legal profession to set the standard for all professions and make gender equality a top priority.
Chief Justice Lee’s remarks were made at the East Tennessee Lawyers’ Association for Women (ETLAW) annual Supreme Court luncheon.…
May 11, 2015
The Tennessee Justice Center, a non-profit public interest law and advocacy firm serving families, has honored Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Holly Kirby as a Community Mother of the Year for her dedication to her family and families across Tennessee.The recognition salutes Justice Kirby's efforts…
May 5, 2015
The Tennessee Supreme Court has affirmed the convictions of three men accused of robbing a woman outside of her Knoxville residence, ordering her into her home, and confining her inside while they ransacked her property.In April 2010, Larry Jereller Alston, Kris Theotis Young, and Joshua Edward…
May 4, 2015
The Tennessee Supreme Court reversed a trial court’s ruling against a police officer on his claim of retaliatory discharge under Tennessee’s Public Protection Act. The Court held that the officer had proven that the sole reason he was discharged was retaliation for his refusal to participate in or…