News
November 22, 2021
An early Thanksgiving celebration took place at the Hawkins County Courthouse Friday, in honor of National Adoption Day. “It’s most apropos that we celebrate National Adoption Day through the season of Thanksgiving because in our community and communities all across America, adoptive…
November 15, 2021
Chancellor George R. Ellis passed away on November 15, a day after his 73rd birthday.Chancellor Ellis served the 28th Judicial District, which includes Crockett, Gibson and Haywood counties, since 1993, and was re-elected four times.Prior to taking the bench as a chancellor, he served as a General…
November 15, 2021
A portrait of retired Davidson County Chancery Court Chancellor Claudia Bonnyman was recently completed by Nashville Artist, Illustrator and Storyboard Artist, J. William Myers.
Myers is an ADDY-award winning artist and illustrator of numerous posters, book covers, children’sbooks,magazines,murals…
November 8, 2021
The Trial Court Vacancy Commission met November 4 in Dyersburg to consider candidates for the vacancy in the 29th Judicial District, which includes Lake and Dyer counties. This vacancy was created by the retirement of the Honorable Russell Lee Moore, effective December 1, 2021. The Commission…
October 27, 2021
Judge Angelita Blackshear Dalton was recently reappointed to the Domestic Violence State Coordinating Council (DVSCC) by Deborah Taylor Tate, Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts. “Her abiding commitment to insuring victims of domestic or sexual abuse have access to justice in…
October 26, 2021
An unexpected opportunity led Judge Ryan Spitzer to his judgeship with the 7th Judicial District Circuit Court. He fills the vacancy left by the Honorable Donald R. Elledge and serves Anderson County.Once Judge Spitzer was appointed, it was a swift transition. He was sworn in on September 1, 2021…
October 22, 2021
When Judge Adrienne Gilliam Fry placed her hand on the family Bible to take the oath as a 19th Judicial District judge, it was being held by a very special person.
“At my swearing in, I saw individuals who had assisted me from the very beginning of my legal career, all the way…
October 13, 2021
U.S. District Court Judge Waverly Crenshaw welcomed to Nashville a banquet hall full of female judges from across the United States and far-off corners of the world to the 43rd Annual National Association of Women Judges Conference (NAWJ), where attendees celebrated women’s suffrage while learning…
October 11, 2021
The Trial Court Vacancy Commission will consider two applicants for the circuit court vacancy in the 29th judicial district, which includes Lake and Dyer counties. This vacancy was created by the retirement of the Honorable Russell Lee Moore, effective December 1, 2021.The applicants are:James L.…
October 8, 2021
Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced two key judicial appointments.“These two qualified Tennesseans will bring valuable experience to their respective roles,” said Governor Lee. “I’m honored to announce their appointment and confident they will serve our state with the highest integrity.”…
October 7, 2021
Federal Judge Julia Smith Gibbons of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit today was bestowed the 39th annual Edward J. Devitt Distinguished Service to Justice Award, the highest honor that can be awarded to an Article III federal judge in the country. The award was announced by…
September 28, 2021
The Trial Court Vacancy Commission is accepting applications for a Circuit Court Judge in the 29th Judicial District, which covers Dyer and Lake counties. This vacancy was created by the retirement of the Honorable Russell Lee Moore, effective December 1, 2021.Qualified applicants must be licensed…
September 22, 2021
A lifetime dream came true for recently appointed Judge Robert Thomas Bateman when he donned a black robe and took the bench for the first time as one of the 19th Judicial District’s newest judges.Judge Bateman was officially sworn in on August 19, 2021, in Robertson County, during a joint ceremony…
September 10, 2021
Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee appointed A. Blake Neill to serve as circuit court judge for the 25th Judicial District to fill the Honorable Joe H. Walker III’s vacancy, effective immediately.“Blake will bring extensive experience to this role, and I’m confident he will serve Tennesseans with…
September 3, 2021
A commitment to helping themselves while serving others in need is what the 23rd Judicial District Drug Court is all about. That’s why this group of Drug Court participants and team members were among the first to lend a hand when catastrophic flooding devastated the community of Waverly, Tennessee…
August 30, 2021
Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee appointed Ryan Spitzer to serve as circuit court judge for the 7th Judicial District to fill the Honorable Donald R. Elledge’s vacancy, effective immediately.“Ryan is a dedicated public servant with an extensive background in criminal prosecution,” said Governor…
August 27, 2021
The Tennessee Supreme Court has appointed Judge Roy B. Morgan. Jr., as a senior judge for a term of four years, effective September 1, 2022. Judge Morgan is currently a circuit court judge in the state’s 26th Judicial District, which includes Chester, Madison, and Henderson counties. He will retire…
August 24, 2021
Court operations in Humphrey County have been disrupted by the catastrophic flooding in the area over the weekend. While the courthouse itself did not sustain substantial damage, phone, internet, and road outings and closures are impacting court business. In addition, court staff lost family,…
August 13, 2021
Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced key appointments to the Board of Parole and judicial positions across the state.“It’s an honor to announce the appointment of eight qualified Tennesseans who will each bring valuable experience to their respective roles,” said Gov. Lee. “I am grateful…
August 11, 2021
The Tennessee Trial Judges Association installed a new president for the 2021-2022 term at a recent meeting. The Tennessee Trial Judges Association, formed in 1976, is a non-partisan association of participating circuit, criminal and chancery court judges from each county in the state…