Tennessee Court Talk

Send us a text Tennessee is in the process of modernizing the technology used in the state’s court system. This may not seem like a big deal- we all go through technology upgrades from time to time. But it is nothing short of transformational in the state. Why? Because Tennessee’s court system is non-consolidated. That means we have a fragmented court system across the state. It makes case management, data collection and overall access to justice much more challenging. Tennessee Senator John Stevens, a member of the judiciary committee, joins us for a look at what’s ahead and why it’s so important.

Send us a text As college football season kicks off, we welcome Judge Tim Irwin on the podcast. A former NFL offensive lineman with 14 seasons under his belt, Judge Irwin shares how his journey from the gridiron led to a second career in law, where he's now making a lasting impact on the lives of children in his hometown of Knoxville, Tennessee. Before The Bench is a new series from Tennessee Court Talk, spotlighting judges from across the state as they share personal stories, professional challenges, and the defining moments that shaped their path to the bench.

Send us a text One hundred years ago, the small town of Dayton, Tennessee became the epicenter of the national debate over evolution and creationism. In the sweltering summer heat of 1925, the Scopes Monkey Trial became one of the most sensational cases of the twentieth century as famed defense attorney Clarence Darrow faced off against three-time presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan. Visit www.rheaheritage.com for more information about the 100th Year Scopes Trial Festival.

Send us a text Joe Byrd is joined in this episode of Appointed Counsel by Laura Hood, a long time team member of the AOC, starting with the Fiscal Services Division and now with Experts and Investigators. Their discussion in this episode is centered around how attorneys can get experts and investigators assigned to their cases.

Send us a text In this episode of Tennessee Court Talk we sit down with Tennessee State Trooper Tara Lee, one of the friendly faces you might see when entering the Nashville Supreme Court Building. Trooper Lee has a special story as she shares her journey of becoming a State Trooper, providing judicial security and her story of perseverance in overcoming a personal health battle.

Send us a text Lead Attorney, Joe Byrd interviews First Review Auditors, Alyssa Hudson and Kendall Leslie to discuss issues related to dependency & neglect, termination of parental rights, and non-capital criminal court claims. Additionally, Alyssa discusses supplier information issues. The discussion offers tips for attorneys arising from common problems auditors observe when processing claims.

Send us a text On this episode of Tennessee Court Talk, we explore a little-known but important process used in Tennessee’s appellate courts: the Order to Show Cause. Often misunderstood, this procedure serves as a form of contempt hearing specifically for attorneys, requiring them to appear in person before the appellate court to explain their conduct—or lack thereof—in cases they are handling. Joining the conversation are two respected judges from the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals: Judge Ross DyerJudge Tom GreenholtzThis episode sheds light on the purpose and process of Orders to Show Cause, highlighting their role in maintaining accountability and ethical standards in the legal profession.

Send us a text On this month's episode of Appointed Counsel, the Caitlin Clark of the Indigent Representation team joins Joe Byrd to discuss criminal court claims. Gene Vestal not only has a unique job at the Administrative Office of the Courts as the first line auditor for criminal claims, but also an interesting background. He and Joe Byrd not only go down memory lane, but discuss what he looks for in criminal claims and steps attorneys can take for a smooth process.

Send us a text History is filled with stories passed down through the generations. In this episode of Tennessee Court Talk, we sit down with Knox County General Sessions Court Judge Andrew Jackson IV. Judge Jackson shares insights into the workings of General Sessions Court, his personal journey, legal career, and captivating tales from his remarkable heritage.

Send us a text In this episode of Appointed Counsel, Joe Byrd is joined by Jasper Beard, a compliance officer on the AOC's Indigent Services team. Joe and Jasper's discussion is all about attorneys submitting activities that exceed 24 hours of work in the same day. Learn when overclaims are flagged, how to fix an overclaim status as an attorney and Jaspers approach to correcting over claim status's with attorneys across the state.

Send us a text Artificial Intelligence has the potential to streamline tasks within the courts, increasing efficiency and allowing staff to work on higher level tasks. But like any technology, AI is not infallible or without risks. In this episode of Tennessee Court Talk, we speak with Michael Navin, Principal Court Management Consultant in the Technology, Architecture Planning and Security Division at the National Center for State Courts about how AI is impacting court systems in this new technological era.

In this episode of Appointed Counsel, Joe Byrd invites special guest Debra Sandlin of the AOC's Legal Services Division. The bulk of this conversation revolves around Deborah's role in the billing cycle of appointed counsel and advice she gives concerning billable hours to law schools throughout Tennessee.

The Clerk of the Appellate Courts in Tennessee is an appointed position – one you may not be aware of. Very few people ever see an appellate court clerk at work, but their role is crucial in keeping the courts open, well-organized, and transparent. On this episode of Tennessee Court Talk we get to know Jim Hivner, who has served as Clerk of the Appellate Courts for ten years. He talks to Nick Morgan about the role of e-filing, what his job entails in and out of the courtroom, and even his favorite casserole. Listen to learn more the Appellate Court Clerk of Tennessee.

The indigent services team relies on several other departments to accomplish its goal of getting attorneys paid for their services, but in this episode, Joe Byrd sits down with two of the most important people in the process. The fiscal department of the Administrative Office of the Courts join Appointed Counsel to discuss best practices in filing a claim for expenses and the different terms used to define the services of an attorney in indigent representation.

In this episode, host Joe Byrd explains a specific process that must occur before any proposed expert or investigator begins to work. A process that involves both the trial court and the Administrative Office of the Courts. Joe also gives tips for those claims to not only be approved by the authoritative bodies, but also how to get a claim moved through the process and paid more effectively. This episode is for attorneys.

The guardian ad litem (GAL) in Tennessee plays a crucial role in family court, acting as a voice for the child. As a legal representative of the child, they meet the child where they are in a case and advocate for the child's best interests and ensure their protection until the completion of the matter. On this episode, Nick Morgan welcomes Judge Robert Philyaw of Hamilton County Juvenile Court and Attorney Chris Stiles of Chattanooga to discuss the topic of GAL's, give more insight in the role of a GAL both in practice and from behind the bench and talk about the importance in the relationship between the Guardian Ad Litem and the judge in the matter. This episode is for all audiences.

In this episode of Tennessee Court Talk, Samantha Fisher leads Chief Justice Holly Kirby, Justice Sarah Campbell, Justice Dwight Tarwater and Justice Mary Wagner down memory lane. The discussion focuses on traditions the justices had during the Thanksgiving holiday as children and the traditions that have created with their own families they celebrate with today. This episode is for all audiences.

Attorneys are permitted to bill for travel time and expenses, and there are specific guidelines under Rule 13 that determine what is and is not compensable regarding travel time and reimbursable expenses. In this quick episode, host Joe Byrd explains everything you need to know about these guidelines. This podcast is intended for attorneys.

With election season in full swing, Tennessee voters had the chance to vote on the retention of an appellate court judge and a Supreme Court Justice in August 2024. Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Matthew Wilson was one of those judges. In this episode of Tennessee Court Talk, Nick Morgan sits down with Judge Wilson in Jackson, TN to discuss the purpose of retention elections, why they are so different and three words his best friend would use to describe him. This episode is for all audiences. Produced and Edited by Nick Morgan, Administrative Office of the Courts

In this episode, Chancellor Jim Ripley and Judge Carter Moore of Tennessee's fourth judicial district sit down with host and Communications Director, Samantha Fisher to discuss the moments leading up to the storm striking East Tennessee. Judge Moore explains the effects on inmates in Cocke County and Chancellor Jim Ripley details the plans for his temporary courtroom. This episode also features information for litigants and lawyers in East Tennessee that may be helpful for future filings. Produced by Nick Morgan, Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts