News
July 7, 2025
Circuit Court Judge Kathryn (Katy) Olita was recently elected President of the Tennessee Trial Judges Association (TTJA), becoming the first woman and first judge from the 19th Judicial District to serve in this role.“As far as we can tell, and for people who are still with us who are able to tell…
July 7, 2025
Judge Mike Spitzer was a bit reluctant when the opportunity to serve as a judge in the 21st Judicial District emerged in 2018.“To be honest with you I never wanted to be a judge, but I had a very good law practice and enjoyed practicing law,” said Judge Spitzer.The 21st Judicial District included…
July 7, 2025
Nashville, Tenn. – The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) has named attorney Joe Byrd to serve as the Interim Executive Director of the Office of the Appointed Counsel Commission (ACC).In this new role, Byrd will lead the statewide coordination of indigent representation in…
June 27, 2025
Nashville, 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 DowdyDustin FaederKeeda J.…
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 16, 2025
Nashville, Tenn. - Today, the Tennessee Supreme Court issued a decision in State of Tennessee v. Pervis Tyrone Payne affirming the trial court’s modification of Payne’s death sentences but vacating the trial court’s decision to order that Payne’s sentences be served concurrently instead of…
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 11, 2025
Nashville, Tenn. – The Trial Court Vacancy Commission met in Hohenwald to select nominees for a circuit court judge in the 32nd Judicial District, which covers Hickman, Lewis, and Perry counties.After holding a public hearing and conducting public interviews, the Commission selected the following…
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…
June 3, 2025
Growing up, Judge Jennifer Peck always wanted to be an attorney, but life took her in a different direction for a time before law school.“I wasn’t as focused on being an attorney in undergrad,” said Judge Peck. “I think I was just focused on getting out and graduating. After my time at Auburn, I…
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 22, 2025
Nashville, Tenn. - The Tennessee Supreme Court has four cases on its May 29, 2025 docket in Nashville, Tennessee. Oral arguments in three cases will be heard at the Tennessee Supreme Court building in Nashville, beginning at 9:00 a.m. CST, and livestreamed to the…
May 22, 2025
Nashville, Tenn. - The Tennessee Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on May 28, 2025, before an accomplished group of rising high school seniors at the Tennessee American Legion Boys State at Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville. The event is part of the Court’s SCALES…
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.…
May 9, 2025
Governor Bill Lee appointed Jennifer Peck to the 11th Judicial District Circuit Court on May 9, 2025. The 11th Judicial District covers Hamilton County. Jennifer Peck currently serves as the Chief of Staff and Chief Operating Officer at Tennessee’s Department of Commerce and Insurance. She…
May 9, 2025
Today, the Tennessee Supreme Court held that the Quality Improvement Committee (“QIC”) privilege is waivable. Under Tennessee law, healthcare organizations may form a QIC to evaluate patient care. The statute, Tenn. Code Ann. § 68-11-272(c)(1), protects any records and statements “relating to…
April 29, 2025
Nashville, Tenn. – Today the Tennessee Supreme Court held that a trial court could order a man who voluntarily dismissed his own lawsuit to pay his ex-wife’s ’s attorney fees associated with that lawsuit The couple involved in this case, Middle Tennessee attorney John Colley and Vanessa…
April 25, 2025
The Tennessee Supreme Court today held that the state’s collateral estoppel doctrine prevents a plaintiff from relitigating the issue of class certification in a refiled case. Collateral estoppel, sometimes referred to as issue preclusion, is a legal doctrine which bars the same parties from…