News
January 27, 2015
Today, the Tennessee Supreme Court has dismissed a health care liability lawsuit against six Knoxville medical providers because they were not provided with at least 60 days’ pre-suit notice of the action, as required under Tennessee law.In 2011, Samuel and Mary Foster filed a health care liability…
January 26, 2015
The Association for Women Attorneys (AWA) of Memphis will honor Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Holly Kirby with the Marion Griffin-Frances Loring Award this week at their annual banquet. The award goes to one who has exhibited outstanding achievement in the legal profession.Justice Kirby was…
January 23, 2015
The Supreme Court ruled today that a criminal offense that provides for a mandatory minimum period of confinement does not necessarily prevent a defendant charged with that crime from being eligible for judicial diversion.The defendant, Shanice L. Dycus, pled guilty in 2012 to multiple drug…
January 23, 2015
The Tennessee Supreme Court ruled today that a trial court must consider both the legal basis and the injuries for which damages are sought when determining the applicable statute of limitations for each claim in a lawsuit.Statutes of limitations exist in both criminal and civil law and limit the…
January 22, 2015
The Tennessee Supreme Court held today that the Tennessee statute governing termination of parental rights does not require the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services to prove as an essential element of its case that it made reasonable efforts to reunite the child with the parent (or parents)…
January 16, 2015
The Tennessee Supreme Court has unanimously upheld the murder conviction and life sentence of a man who shot his wife at a gas station in Chattanooga in 1994.In March 1994, Edward Kendrick shot and killed his estranged wife, Lisa Kendrick, at the gas station where she worked. He fled the scene,…
January 28, 2015
The Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments is now accepting applications for the Circuit Court Judge vacancy in the 3rd Judicial District – Greene, Hamblen, Hancock, and Hawkins counties. The vacancy has been created by the death of the Honorable Michael Faulk, who died in November.Any…
January 14, 2015
The Tennessee Association of Drug Court Professionals honored retired Circuit Court Judge Robert E. Burch for his 14 years of service to drug courts. The award was presented at the group's annual conference.For more, read the story in…
January 13, 2015
The Tennessee Supreme Court today ruled that a successor judge who takes over a case from the judge that presided over the trial, may act as the “13th juror” in a case. In its ruling, the Court created a rebuttable presumption, which means that it is assumed the judge can act as a 13th juror…
January 12, 2015
Gov. Bill Haslam administered the formal oath of office to Court of Criminal Appeals judges Timothy Easter, of Brentwood, and Robert Holloway, Jr., of Columbia on January 12, 2015. Both joined the court on September 1, 2014 after receiving appointments from the Governor earlier last year.…
January 7, 2015
See photos from the SCALES (Supreme Court Advancing Legal Education for Students) event in Greeneville on Wednesday, January 7.
January 6, 2015
Greeneville, Tenn. – The Tennessee Supreme Court will bring oral arguments to Niswonger Performing Arts Center next week as part of the Court’s SCALES program, as high school students from four counties get a personal look at how the Court operates.High school students from eleven area schools are…
Supreme Court Announces Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate to Lead Administrative Office of the Courts
January 2, 2015
The Tennessee Supreme Court announced today that Nashville attorney and former Federal Communications Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate will become Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts.“Commissioner Tate’s wealth of experience in law and policy at every level of government and across…
December 30, 2014
The Tennessee Supreme Court has unanimously affirmed a 45-day suspension of Knoxville attorney Thomas F. Mabry.In 2011, the Board of Professional Responsibility filed a petition for discipline against Mr. Mabry based on three complaints of misconduct. The petition alleged, among other things…
December 19, 2014
In a unanimous opinion, the Tennessee Supreme Court has decided that hospitals are required to release their hospital lien against a patient as soon as the patient and the patient’s insurance company have paid the full amount of the hospital charges.This lawsuit involves a common practice in the…
December 18, 2014
The Tennessee Supreme Court has determined that a Hamilton County trial court did not depart from accepted and usual judicial course during a health care liability lawsuit as to require immediate appellate court review.In February 2011, C.L. Gilbert, Jr. filed a complaint against Dr. Izak Frederick…
December 16, 2014
Comprehensive changes to continuing education requirements for attorneys in Tennessee will go into effect January 1, 2015. In an order filed December 16, the Court overhauls Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 21, making the most significant changes since the Rule was adopted in 1986.The amended Rule…
December 4, 2014
The Tennessee Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on December 18 in Nashville in an appeal by the State opposing the requests of several death row inmates who are seeking the identity of individuals involved in the lethal injection process.The appeal arises from a challenge to the…
December 2, 2014
The Tennessee Supreme Court has determined that Tennessee Human Rights Act claims against local governmental entities are not governed by the Governmental Tort Liability Act (“GTLA”). The Court has also determined that Rights Act claims filed in chancery court include a statutory right to trial by…
December 1, 2014
The Tennessee Supreme Court has ruled that the State will be allowed to introduce evidence of a child victim’s recorded video statement during the prosecution of the defendant for seven counts of rape.In 2010, the defendant, Barry McCoy, was indicted for seven counts of rape of a child. Prior to…