News
April 15, 2026
Nashville, Tenn. - The Trial Court Vacancy Commission is currently accepting applications to fill the vacancy in the First Judicial District Criminal Court following the appointment of the Honorable Stacy Street to the appellate bench. The First Judicial District covers Carter, Johnson, Unicoi and…
January 12, 2026
Chancellor Tony Childress is a judge by day and a volunteer firefighter when community needs arise - a service he has provided for 25 years. On December 26, 2025, Chancellor Childress was with friends hunting in a duck blind when he received a text from the Bogata Volunteer Fire Department to…
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 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…
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…
July 31, 2025
Nashville, Tenn. - The Trial Court Vacancy Commission met in Nashville to select nominees for a criminal court judge in the 20th Judicial District which covers Davidson County. After holding a public hearing and conducting public interviews, the Commission selected the following nominees to forward…
July 16, 2025
Nashville, Tenn. - The Trial Court Vacancy Commission has referred the Criminal Court Vacancy in the 30th Judicial District to Governor Bill Lee. In accordance with state law, the Governor may fill the vacancy with any person who is qualified to serve as a judge in the 30th Judicial District.Four…
July 16, 2025
Nashville, Tenn. – The Trial Court Vacancy Commission met in Memphis to select nominees for a circuit judge in the 30th Judicial District.After holding a public hearing and conducting public interviews, the Commission selected the following nominees to forward to Governor Bill Lee for his…
July 15, 2025
Chancellor Doug Jenkins of the 3rd Judicial District, which includes Greene, Hamblen, Hancock and Hawkins counties, was recently elected president of the Tennessee Judicial Conference (TJC).“It’s a great honor, very humbling, and I hope I can get a lot done to help the judges in our state,” said…
July 23, 2025
Note: Updated Location BelowNashville, Tenn. - The Trial Court Vacancy Commission has received eight applications for a vacancy in the 20th Judicial District following the retirement of the Honorable Cheryl A. Blackburn.The applicants for the Criminal Court Judge vacancy are:Mark ColeRonald…
June 18, 2025
Nashville, Tenn. – The Trial Court Vacancy Commission met in Knoxville to select nominees for a criminal court judge in the 6th Judicial District which covers Knox County.After holding a public hearing and conducting public interviews, the Commission selected the following nominees to forward to…
June 13, 2025
Nashville, Tenn. – The Trial Court Vacancy Commission has received applications for two vacancies in the 30th Judicial District.The applicants for the Criminal Court Judge vacancy are:Jahari M. DowdyLora D. FowlerRaymond J. LeponeKenya N. SmithThe applicants for the Circuit Court Judge vacancy are:…
June 10, 2025
Nashville, Tenn.- The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts has provided a notice of intent to release a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a Statewide Court Case Management System and eFiling Solution for all of the state’s trial courts.This initiative is a critical element of TN AOC's…
June 3, 2025
Nashville, Tenn.- The Trial Court Vacancy Commission is currently accepting applications to fill a vacancy in the 20th Judicial District for a Criminal Court Judge, Division III, following the retirement of the Honorable Cheryl A. Blackburn on May 31, 2025. Applicants must be an attorney…
May 23, 2025
Nashville, Tenn- The Trial Court Vacancy Commission is currently accepting applications to fill vacancies in the 30th Judicial District for a Circuit Court judge and a Criminal Court judge following the elevation of the Honorable Valerie L. Smith to the appellate bench and the retirement of the…
May 14, 2025
Nashville, Tenn. – The Trial Court Vacancy Commission will consider six applicants when it meets June 10th, 2025, in Lewis County, to select nominees for a Circuit and Chancery court judge in the 32nd Judicial District which covers Hickman, Lewis and Perry counties.The applicants are:N. Tanner Beck…
May 14, 2025
Nashville, Tenn. – The Trial Court Vacancy Commission will consider eight applicants when it meets June 17th, 2025, in Knoxville to select nominees for a criminal court judge in the 6th Judicial District which covers Knox County.The applicants are:Emily F. AbbottJ. Franklin Ammons Heather N.…