News
September 29, 2023
After years of planning, grant applications, hiring, and meetings, the 19th Judicial District has launched a Mental Health Court.
“When I started regularly hearing criminal cases here in the 19th, I noticed that certain defendants were cycling through my courtroom,” Judge Kathryn W. Olita said. “A…
September 29, 2023
In a lawsuit against a Davidson County physician, the Tennessee Supreme Court today upheld the trial court’s pre-trial ruling prohibiting the defendant doctor from using evidence that another physician, who was not in the lawsuit, caused the plaintiff’s injuries, because the defendant doctor did…
September 29, 2023
The Tennessee Supreme Court today held that the 2017 amendment to the probation eligibility statute, Tennessee Code Annotated section 40-35-303, prohibits defendants who are convicted of vehicular homicide by intoxication from receiving any form of probation.
In August 2020, Ebony Robinson struck…
September 28, 2023
The Tennessee Supreme Court today reversed a decision of the Court of Appeals that had allowed a lawsuit against an Alabama homebuilder for alleged construction defects in a house built in Alabama to proceed in Tennessee. At issue in the case was the concept of personal jurisdiction, which deals…
September 28, 2023
The Tennessee Supreme Court today ruled that the economic loss doctrine applies only to products liability cases and should not be expanded. The doctrine generally prevents a contracting party who suffers only economic losses from recovering additional damages under tort law principles. Because it…
September 28, 2023
Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced three key judicial appointments for newly created state courts.
“I am proud to announce the appointment of these highly qualified individuals and value the significant experience they will bring to their respective roles,” said Governor Lee. “I…
September 25, 2023
The Tennessee judiciary is mourning the loss of retired 20th Judicial District Judge Seth Walker Norman, who passed away on September 25 at the age of 89. Judge Norman served as a criminal court judge in Nashville from 1990 until his retirement in 2018. He is often considered the father of the…
September 22, 2023
Several members of the Tennessee judicial branch recently attended the Court Technology Conference sponsored by the National Center for State Courts. The conference covered the latest advancements in artificial intelligence, access to justice, data management, cybersecurity, and continuity of…
September 21, 2023
The Board of Judicial Conduct issued a Public Reprimand for Judge R. Steven Randolph Read the Public Reprimand here.
September 8, 2023
Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Dwight E. Tarwater received a warm welcome to the bench this week when family, friends, colleagues, elected officials, and the judiciary joined him in Knoxville for his ceremonial investiture by Governor Bill Lee.
Justice Tarwater was confirmed as a Supreme Court…
September 1, 2023
The Tennessee Supreme Court has two cases set for its September 6, 2023, docket. The first case will be heard in Knoxville beginning at 9 a.m. EDT. The second case will be submitted on briefs. The first case will be livestreamed to the TNCourts YouTube page at: …
August 31, 2023
The Supreme Court has elected Justice Holly Kirby to be the next Chief Justice of the Court. Justice Kirby was unanimously elected by the Court for a two-year term, effective September 1, 2023. She becomes only the fourth woman to serve as the Court’s Chief Justice.
Justice Kirby was appointed…
August 31, 2023
The Trial Court Vacancy Commission met today in Franklin to consider four candidates for a circuit court judge vacancy in the 21st Judicial District, which includes Williamson County. This vacancy was created by the upcoming retirement of Judge Michael W. Binkley on September 29, 2023.
After…
August 31, 2023
The Tennessee Supreme Court today rejected a Memphis nursing home’s argument that the trial court could not consider whether a resident with Down syndrome was competent to authorize his brother to act as his agent. The nursing home sought to enforce an arbitration agreement signed on the resident’…
August 31, 2023
Tennessee Access to Justice leaders have established the Justice Frank F. Drowota Trust to provide supplemental funds to direct providers of legal services to Tennessee’s low-income citizens. The Trust was announced at the August 31, 2023, Equal Justice University luncheon sponsored by Tennessee…
August 30, 2023
The Trial Court Vacancy Commission met today in Murfreesboro to consider five applicants for a circuit court judge vacancy in the 16th Judicial District, which includes Rutherford and Cannon Counties. This vacancy was created by the upcoming retirement of Judge J. Mark Rogers on September 1, 2023…
August 30, 2023
The Tennessee Supreme Court has appointed former Judge D. Kelly Thomas as a senior judge. He replaces current Senior Judge Thomas Wright, who is retiring. Judge Thomas’ appointment will begin September 1, 2023 and is for a term of two years.
Judge Thomas has over 30 years of judicial experience,…
August 29, 2023
The Tennessee Supreme Court has appointed former Judge Vanessa Agee Jackson as a senior judge for a term of four years, effective September 1, 2023. Judge Jackson previously was a circuit court judge in the 14th Judicial District, which includes Coffee County, from 2009 to 2022. In that position,…
August 28, 2023
Hero. Down to earth. Humble. Trailblazer. Encourager. Courageous. Friend.
Those were some of the words used to describe Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Sharon G. Lee at her portrait unveiling at the Knoxville Supreme Court Building on August 24. The event, sponsored by the Knoxville Bar…
August 24, 2023
The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts will livestream the portrait unveiling and retirement celebration of Justice Sharon G. Lee on August 24 at 3 p.m. EDT/2 p.m. CDT from the Knoxville Supreme Court Building. Justice Lee is set to retire on August 31. She has served as a Tennessee…