APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

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Kathryne B. F. v. Michael B. - Separate Concurrence

W2013-01757-COA-R3-CV

I fully concur in the majority’s decision to remand the case to the trial court for it to make findings of fact and conclusions of law that are sufficient to enable this Court to review the matter on appeal. I write separately only to comment on some points that we can glean from the appellate record about the trial court’s reasoning.

Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
Originating Judge:Judge Karen R. Williams
Shelby County Court of Appeals 03/13/14
Torrance Randle v. State of Tennessee

M2013-01497-COA-R3-CV

Civil Service Employee filed a grievance with the Civil Service Commission complaining he was not given supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the job description that was posted when he accepted the position. The administrative law judge dismissed Employee’s grievance because it was a “non-grievable matter” as that term is defined in the rules promulgated by the Department of Human Resources, leaving the Civil Service Commission without subject matter jurisdiction. Employee petitioned the Chancery Court for judicial review. The Chancery Court affirmed the administrative law judge’s dismissal of Employee’s grievance. Employee appealed the trial court’s judgment to the Court of Appeals, and we affirm the dismissal of Employee’s petition

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell
Originating Judge:Judge Ellen H. Lyle
Davidson County Court of Appeals 03/13/14
Donna Faye Thompson v. Kim Kail

W2013-01049-COA-R3-CV

This is an appeal from the trial court’s grant of a motion to dismiss. The complaint alleged that the defendant circuit court clerk failed to timely send to the appellate court a case file in a matter other than the case that was on appeal. The defendant court clerk filed a motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim; the trial court granted the motion. The plaintiff appeals. Discerning no error, we affirm.

Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
Originating Judge:Judge J. Weber McCraw
Crockett County Court of Appeals 03/12/14
Timothy W. Hudson v. Delilah M. Grunloh

E2013-01434-COA-R3-CV

This case involves a claim for contractual attorney fees and a counterclaim for legal malpractice. The trial court dismissed the legal malpractice claim at the summary judgment stage, it granted summary judgment on certain aspects of the attorney’s fee claim, and, following a trial, it awarded a judgment in favor of the attorney. We affirm.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Chancellor E.G. Moody
Sullivan County Court of Appeals 03/11/14
David L. Trantham by Betty J. Ward Hartsell, as his attorney in fact v. Evelyn Nix Lynn

E2011-02611-COA-R3-CV

This is a boundary line dispute based upon competing surveys. Plaintiff brought a declaratory judgment action against Defendant, seeking to have the boundary line declared. Following a hearing, the trial court awarded the property to Plaintiff and assessed damages against Defendant for damage caused to a bridge located on Plaintiff’s property. Defendant appeals. We affirm the decision of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge John W. McClarty
Originating Judge:Chancellor Frank V. Williams, III
Loudon County Court of Appeals 03/11/14
Mildred Joan Pantik v. Martin Julius Pantik

W2013-01657-COA-R9-CV

This appeal involves the jurisdiction of the Shelby County courts over a petition for an order of protection. The petition was originally filed in general sessions court, but it was transferred by consent to circuit court, where another matter was pending between the parties. Thereafter, the circuit court denied a motion to transfer the petition back to general sessions court but sua sponte granted permission to seek an interlocutory appeal pursuant to Rule 9 due to a perceived conflict between two statutes addressing the courts’ jurisdiction. We granted the application for an interlocutory appeal and now affirm the decision of the circuit court. This case is remanded to the circuit court for further proceedings.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Judge Karen Williams
Shelby County Court of Appeals 03/10/14
Michelle Rye, et al. v. Women's Care Center of Memphis, MPLLC d/b/a Ruch Clinic, et al.

W2013-00804-COA-R9-CV

This interlocutory appeal concerns the trial court’s grant of partial summary judgment to the Defendant/Appellee medical providers on various issues. The Plaintiff/Appellant couple filed a complaint for damages stemming from the medical providers’ failure to administer a RhoGAM injection during wife’s pregnancy. The couple alleged causes of action for compensatory damages associated with medical malpractice, negligent infliction of emotional distress, and disruption of family planning. The trial court granted summary judgment to the medical providers on the wife’s claim for future medical expenses, husband’s claim for negligent infliction of emotional distress, and the couple’s claim for disruption of family planning. The trial court declined to grant summary judgment on wife’s physical injury claim, her negligent infliction of emotional distress claim, and the claim that wife could present evidence of the disruption of her family planning as evidence in her negligent infliction of emotional distress claim. We reverse the trial court’s grant of summary judgment on wife’s claim for future medical expenses associated with future pregnancy and husband’s claim for negligent infliction of emotional distress, which he may support with evidence concerning the disruption of the couple’s family planning. The trial court’s ruling is affirmed in all other respects. Affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded.

Authoring Judge: Judge J. Steven Stafford
Originating Judge:Judge Gina C. HIggins
Shelby County Court of Appeals 03/10/14
Clifton A. Lake, et al. v. The Memphis Landsmen, LLC, et al.

W2011-00660-COA-RM-CV

This appeal is from a jury verdict in a negligence and products liability case. Plaintiff-Husband suffered a traumatic brain injury when he was a passenger on a bus that collided with a concrete truck. Plaintiff-Husband and Plaintiff-Wife filed suit against the bus manufacturer, the bus owner, and the bus owner’s franchisor. The jury found that the Plaintiffs suffered $8,543,630 in damages, but apportioned 100% of the fault for the collision to the owner of the concrete truck, with whom the Plaintiffs reached a settlement prior to trial. Plaintiffs appealed. We find that the jury’s verdict was proper and is supported by material evidence. We therefore affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Judge John R. McCarroll, Jr.
Shelby County Court of Appeals 03/07/14
Kimberly Meeks v. Bryant Leo Meeks

M2013-01203-COA-R3-CV

In this child support case, Father appeals the trial court’s determination that he was voluntarily underemployed. We have reviewed the record and the relevant authorityand find that the trial court did not err in concluding that Father was underemployed for the purpose of calculating his child support obligation. We affirm.

Authoring Judge: Judge Andy D. Bennett
Originating Judge:Judge Michael R. Jones
Montgomery County Court of Appeals 03/06/14
Colette Suzanne Turman v. Fred Turman

W2013-01938-COA-R3-CV

Because the order appealed is not a final judgment, we dismiss this appeal for lack of jurisdiction.

Authoring Judge: Per Curiam
Originating Judge:Judge Ron E. Harmon
Henry County Court of Appeals 03/06/14
Francis L. Johnston, as Trustee of the Mae Charlayne Johnston Revocable Family Trust v. Charles Glen Johnston

E2013-00525-COA-R3-CV

This action involves a dispute regarding the validity of an $80,000 check written against the revocable living trust account of the decedent by the defendant, who is the decedent’s nephew. Two days before the decedent’s death, the defendant deposited the check into a personal savings account he held jointly with the decedent. The plaintiff, serving as trustee and as personal representative of the decedent’s estate, filed a complaint seeking recovery of the $80,000. The trial court issued an ex parte restraining order, directing, inter alia, the bank where the joint account was held to transfer $80,000 to the clerk and master for safekeeping in the registry of the court. Following a bench trial, the trial court found by clear and convincing evidence that the $80,000 check at issue was a forgery and that the defendant did not have permission from the decedent to sign the check. The court directed the $80,000 to be transferred from the clerk and master to the decedent’s estate account and dismissed the defendant’s counterclaim for damages. The defendant appeals. Discerning no reversible error, we affirm.

Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas R. Frierson, II
Originating Judge:Chancellor Jerri S. Bryant
Bradley County Court of Appeals 03/06/14
Ms. B., Individually and on Behalf of Minor Child, John Doe, "N" v. Boys and Girls Club Of Middle Tennessee, et al.

M2013-00812-COA-R3-CV

Plaintiff filed an action against Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, in addition to its Tennessee affiliate and others, seeking damages arising from alleged sexual and emotional abuse of a minor child by a Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee volunteer. The trial court determined that the national organization did not owe a duty to the minor child and entered summary judgment in favor of the organization. We reverse and remand for further proceedings.

Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Judge Amanda Jane McClendon
Davidson County Court of Appeals 03/06/14
In Re Karma S.C.

E2013-02198-COA-R3-PT

The trial court terminated Mother’s parental rights on the grounds of abandonment for willful failure to visit and willful failure to support. We vacate the decision of the chancery court and we remand for further findings.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Chancellor Michael W. Moyers
Knox County Court of Appeals 03/05/14
The SJR Limited Partnership v. Christie's Inc. et al.

W2013-01606-COA-R3-CV

In this case, we are asked to determine whether this Court has subject matter jurisdiction over this interlocutory appeal from the trial court’s denial of Appellant’s Tennessee Rule of Civil Procedure 12 motion to dismiss. The Tennessee Uniform Arbitration Act, Tennessee Code Annotated Section 29-5-319, grants Tennessee appellate courts subject matter jurisdiction to consider interlocutory appeals only in specifically enumerated circumstances involving arbitration agreements. The statutory exceptions include appeals from orders denying an application to compel arbitration, and appeals from orders granting an application to stay arbitration. Because the order appealed in this case is simply a denial of a Tennessee Rule of Civil Procedure 12 motion to dismiss, it does not fall within the statutory exceptions. Accordingly, this Court does not have jurisdiction to consider the appeal. Dismissed and remanded.

Authoring Judge: Judge J. Steven Stafford
Originating Judge:Chancellor Arnold B. Goldin
Shelby County Court of Appeals 03/05/14
Daniel Scott Bowman v. Bank of America, s/b/m To Courtrywide Home Loans, Inc., et al.

M2013-00424-COA-R3-CV

After foreclosure proceedings were instituted against Plaintiff, Plaintiff asserted numerous claims against Defendants. All claims were dismissed in the trial court. We affirm.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Chancellor Laurence M. McMillan, Jr.
Robertson County Court of Appeals 03/05/14
Christopher Wayne McElhiney v. Elizabeth Allison Billips

M2009-02309-COA-R3-CV

This appeal involves a post-divorce modification of a parenting plan. Mother appeals the trial court’s decision modifying the parenting plan to designate Father the primary residential parent of the parties’ children. Finding no error in the court’s ruling, we affirm.

Authoring Judge: Judge Andy D. Bennett
Originating Judge:Judge Royce Taylor
Rutherford County Court of Appeals 03/05/14
Lataynia Jones v. Sharp Electronics Corporation

W2013-01817-COA-R3-CV

Plaintiff filed an action alleging retaliation and interference in violation of the Tennessee Disabilities Act. The trial court entered summary judgment in favor of Defendant Employer on the basis that the Act does not require employers to make “reasonable accommodations,” as were required by Plaintiff at the time she was discharged. We affirm.

Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Judge John R. McCarroll, Jr.
Shelby County Court of Appeals 02/28/14
John Daniel Rudd v. Debra Ann Gonzalez

M2012-02714-COA-R3-CV

This appeal involves post-divorce parental relocation. The mother notified the father that she intended to relocate outside Tennessee with the parties’ minor daughter. The mother asserted that the relocation was for purposes related to her career as a surgeon. The father filed a petition opposing the relocation on the grounds that the mother’s motive for the relocation was vindictive and that the relocation did not have a reasonable purpose under Tennessee’s parental relocation statute. After a bench trial, the trial court held that the father had not carried his burden of proving the mother’s motive was vindictive or that the relocation was not for a reasonable purpose, and so permitted the mother to relocate with the parties’ child. The father now appeals. Discerning no error, we affirm.

Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
Originating Judge:Judge Philip E. Smith
Davidson County Court of Appeals 02/28/14
In Re: Riannah M.F.

W2013-02057-COA-R3-PT

The trial court found that Petitioners had failed to demonstrate willful abandonment in this action to terminate the parental rights of Mother. We affirm.

Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Judge Charles C. McGinley
Hardin County Court of Appeals 02/28/14
Dwight O. Satterfield v. Margaret H. Satterfield

E2012-02367-COA-R3-CV

This appeal concerns post-divorce alimony issues. Dwight O. Satterfield (“Mr. Satterfield”) and Margaret H. Satterfield (“Ms. Satterfield”) divorced after 31 years of marriage. Mr. Satterfield some years later filed a motion to terminate alimony in the General Sessions Court for Blount County (“the Trial Court”) alleging that Ms. Satterfield had been cohabiting with a man. The Trial Court ruled orally that under the Marital Dissolution Agreement (“MDA”), Ms. Satterfield’s cohabitation did not precipitate termination of alimony. Before an order was entered on his first motion, Mr. Satterfield filed another motion, this time based on the statutory rebuttable presumption that arises if there is cohabitation. The Trial Court held that res judicata resolved the issue and that alimony would not be modified. Mr. Satterfield appeals. We affirm the Trial Court as to its interpretation of the MDA. However, as Mr. Satterfield’s second motion was pending when the first order was entered, the first order was not final and the Trial Court erred in holding in its second order that res judicata resolved the alimony issue. We affirm, in part, and reverse, in part, the judgment of the Trial Court and remand this matter for further proceedings.

Authoring Judge: Judge D. Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:Judge William R. Brewer, Jr.
Blount County Court of Appeals 02/28/14
Dwight O. Satterfield v. Margaret H. Satterfield - Concurring

E2012-02367-COA-R3-CV

I concur completely in Judge Swiney’s well-reasoned majority opinion. I write separately to stress the linchpin of the majority’s rationale in rejecting Mr. Satterfield’s first issue.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge William R. Brewer, Jr.
Blount County Court of Appeals 02/28/14
Denise L. Heilig v. Roy Heilig

W2013-01232-COA-R3-CV

Years after the parties divorced, they agreed to entry of a consent order requiring the mother to cooperate with the father in obtaining passports for the parties’ two minor children. Months later, the father filed a petition for contempt, alleging that the mother had refused to cooperate in executing the necessary documents. The trial court found the mother in contempt for willfully refusing to execute the documents. The mother appeals, arguing that the trial court did not have subject matter jurisdiction to enter the order finding her in contempt, citing the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (“UCCJEA”), because the parties no longer live in Tennessee. She also argues that the trial court erred in holding her in contempt. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Judge Donna Fields
Shelby County Court of Appeals 02/28/14
In Re Kaliyah S. et al.

E2013-01352-COA-R3-PT

This is a termination of parental rights case, focusing on Kaliyah S. and Jaya P. (“the Children”), the minor children of Kayla S. (“Mother”). In November 2010, the Children were taken into protective custody by the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (“DCS”) and placed in foster care. DCS filed a petition to terminate the parental rights of Mother and Jaya’s father, Josh P., on November 30, 2010. The petition alleged severe child abuse as the sole ground for termination. DCS filed an amended petition in May 2011, which also named Kaliyah’s father, Rontez L. (“Father”), and alleged that his parental rights should be terminated on the statutory ground of abandonment by wanton disregard. Father was incarcerated at the time the amended petition was filed. Following a bench trial, the trial court granted the petition as to Mother and Josh P. upon finding that DCS had proven the ground of severe child abuse by clear and convincing evidence. The court also found clear and convincing evidence that Father had abandoned Kaliyah by engaging in conduct exhibiting wanton disregard for her welfare prior to his incarceration. When making its ruling, the trial court concluded that DCS was not required to make reasonable efforts to assist Father in reunification because DCS sufficiently proved the statutory ground of abandonment alleged against him. The court also found that termination of the parental rights of all three respondents was in the Children’s best interest. Father has appealed. We reverse the trial court’s determination that DCS was relieved of the requirement of making reasonable efforts of reunification with regard to Father and remand for further proceedings.

Authoring Judge: Judge Thomas R. Frierson, II
Originating Judge:Judge Daniel Swafford
Bradley County Court of Appeals 02/28/14
Richard A. Berent v. CMH Homes, Inc. et al.

E2013-01214-COA-R3-CV

The issue on this appeal is the enforceability of an arbitration agreement. The trial court, applying the principles promulgated in Taylor v. Butler, 142 S.W.3d 277 (Tenn. 1996), held that the arbitration agreement was unconscionable because it requires the plaintiff to submit to arbitration virtually all of his claims, while allowing the defendants access to a judicial forum for some of their potential claims. We agree with the trial court that the Supreme Court’s decision in Taylor is controlling and that Taylor mandates a holding that theagreement is unconscionable and unenforceable. The judgment of the trial court is affirmed.

Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:Judge W. Jeffrey Hollingsworth
Hamilton County Court of Appeals 02/28/14
Denise L. Heilig v. Roy Heilig - Partial Separate Concurrence and Partial Dissent

W2013-01232-COA-R3-CV

I concur in most of the majority opinion, with the exception of its decision to deem waived Mother’s stated issue of whether the trial court erred in holding her in contempt when the order she was accused of violating had no deadline.

Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
Originating Judge:Judge Donna Fields
Shelby County Court of Appeals 02/28/14