Tennessee Court Talk

Send us a textJoe 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 textIn 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 textLead 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 textOn 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 Dyer, who brings valuable insight from his prior work in the Tennessee Attorney General's Office before his appointment to the appellate bench in 2016.Judge Tom Greenholtz, who shares his perspective shaped by years on the trial bench in Hamilton County before his appointment to the appellate bench in 2022.This 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 textOn 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 textHistory 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 textIn 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 textArtificial 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 affects 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

By day, Knox County Clerk Mike Hammond files, maintains, records, and preserves the records of the Knox County Criminal, General Sessions – Criminal, and Fourth Circuit Courts.  However, there is a lot to know about this interesting man that lies just under the surface. He is a superhero of sorts. He uses his powers during the day to help the people of Knox County, while holding one of the coolest side jobs in Knoxville at night. He's also a member of the Country Radio Hall of Fame. Join host Dave Stripling as he sits down with Clerk Hammond to discuss not only how he's able to help citizens leap tall obstacles, but also his memories of Lady Vols Basketball legend Pat Summitt, and how his 46 years in radio helped shape and inform what he does for the citizens of Knox County today.  This podcast is intended for all audiences.

Section 6 of Rule 13 states that "counsel will be held to a high degree of care in keeping of contemporaneous time records, and that failure to provide sufficient specificity…may constitute grounds for denial of the claim for compensation or reimbursement." Nobody likes returned claims on either side, neither the attorneys nor the people processing the claims.  Here to help guide you through these specifics are host Joe Byrd, and two of the people who process these claims, Wyatt Jordan – Senior Auditor over criminal claims, and Jada Herndon – Senior Auditor over civil child welfare claims. This podcast is intended for attorneys.

Medical debt is an unwelcome burden with lasting repercussions for many Tennesseans each year. The Hamilton County General Sessions Court is at the forefront of a pilot program that began in 2021 that gives those with unpaid medical bills to Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga the opportunity to negotiate a better outcome for themselves without ever having to enter a courtroom.On this episode of Tennessee Court Talk, host Samantha Fisher sits down with AOC Program Manager Dana Schmidt, Erlanger Hospital Associate General Counsel of the revenue cycle and the judicial sponsor of this program, Judge Alex McVeagh discuss the path that the ODR program has been on since 2021 and what lies ahead for the ODR program moving forward. This podcast was recorded over Zoom and is intended for all audiences. 

A step back from our normal style of episode to bring our audience a complete audio version of Judge Mary Wagner's investiture to the Tennessee Supreme Court. Justice Wagner received a warm welcome to the appellate bench as family, friends, colleagues, elected officials, and the judiciary joined her in Germantown for a ceremonial investiture by Governor Bill Lee.For an interview with Justice Wagner and to get to know her on a more personal level, check out Ep. 36 of Tennessee Court Talk. 

On this episode, the newest member of the Tennessee Supreme Court, Mary Wagner sits down with host Nick Morgan to discuss her transition from the trial bench to the appellate bench. Justice Wagner also discusses growing up in a family of lawyers and her favorite music to listen to on the road. This episode is for all audiences. An audio only version Justice Wagner's investiture ceremony can be found as Episode 37 of Tennessee Court Talk.  

This episode covers the new amendments to Rule 13, including redactions that are no longer required, policies relating to mistrials, and deadlines for the 180 day rule. Host Joe Byrd explains the changes you will see moving forward, in a podcast intended for attorneys. 

Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Roger Page is a man of two careers. After 25 years of service to the Tennessee judiciary, he is hanging up his robe for a life of travel and home improvement. On this episode of Tennessee Court Talk, Justice Page sits down with host, Nick Morgan, to discuss growing up on a farm in Chester County, his love for the San Francisco Giants  and how a boy who didn't want to be a farmer, grew up to serve as the Chief Justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court. This episode is for all audiences. 

Understanding what happens in a courtroom can be difficult. Even more so when English is a litigant's second language. There are services in Tennessee to ensure that every litigant has the access to understand their day in court. In this episode of Tennessee Court Talk, host Nick Morgan sits down with Ryan Mouser, the Language Access Program Manager at the Administrative Office of the Courts. Ryan discusses how interpreters are certified and assigned as well as the need for unique language interpreters in Tennessee. This episode is for all audiences. 

Attorneys, investigators, and experts are not only entitled to a reasonable fee, but they are also entitled to be reimbursed for their reasonable and necessary expenses. Section 4 of Tennessee Supreme Court, Rule 13 gives guidelines for what is covered. In this episode of Appointed Counsel, host Joe Byrd explains this guidance in detail; covering filing fees, travel, and other necessary expenses, as well as what is not covered under Rule 13. This podcast is for attorneys, court reporters, investigators, and experts.

Baseball is full of surprises. You never know when you walk into a ballpark if you might see a perfect game, a runner caught in a pickle, a measuring-tape home run…or an historic legal precedent! On August 20th, 1955, Earl Averill, Jr of the Nashville Vols punched Lyle Luttrell of the Chattanooga Lookouts in an on-field skirmish. Luttrell ended up with a broken jaw, Averill ended up with a lawsuit, and both wound up in the history books for setting a legal precedent that shocked both sports and the courts, and shaped both sports and employment law for decades to come. Join host Dave Stripling of Tennessee Court Talk, and guests Judge Andy Bennett of the Tennessee Court of Appeals and Randy Averill for the star-studded tale of “The Hit Heard Round The State!” Produced and Edited by Dave Stripling Supervising Producer: Nick MorganMUSIC ATTRIBUTION:Jumpin Boogie Woogie by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Artist: http://audionautix.com/Happy Bee Surf by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1300015Artist: http://incompetech.com/Last Kiss Goodnight by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100611Artist: http://incompetech.com/

In this very short episode, host Joe Byrd explains the compensation rate increase for indigent attorneys in Tennessee, and how it has been implemented as of July 1st of 2024. There has also been an increase in the cap, based on hours worked. This podcast is intended for attorneys.

The simple explanation of the role of an appellate court judge is to determine whether or not the law was applied correctly in the trial court. However, everyone in an appellate courtroom is human and judges strive to understand the situations of the parties in front of them. Some of those situations can be very personal, especially for self-represented litigants. In this episode, host Nick Morgan, Digital Media Lead for the Administrative Office of the Courts sits down with Tennessee Court of Appeals Judge Steve Stafford to discuss the difference between being impartial and understanding tough situations. This episode is for all audiences. 

In this episode of Appointed Counsel,  host Joe Byrd speaks with Lisa Angel, Court Reporter Manager for the AOC, as they discuss the importance of court reporters, the processes of invoicing, and exactly how attorneys should work with court reporters to prepare transcripts. This episode is intended for attorneys and court reporters. 

There are many members of a court staff that make a courtroom work efficiently and effectively.  In Tennessee, circuit court judges may have three to four county courtrooms to manage with different staff members in each courtroom. In this episode of Tennessee Court Talk, AOC Communications Director Samantha Fisher sits down with Chancellor J.B. Cox of the 17th Judicial District in Tennessee to discuss relationships in the courtroom and the amount of communication it takes for each staff to work with a judge during a court proceeding. This episode was recorded at the 2024 Spring Tennessee Judicial Conference. This episode is intended for judges and other members of the legal community.   

In this episode of Tennessee Court Talk, AOC Communications Director Samantha Fisher discusses misconceptions in the courtroom with Tennessee Senior Judge, Don Ash.  Find out why Judge Ash considers presiding over court a lot like umpiring a baseball game and the rules that judges in Tennessee follow in order to rule  from the bench. Recorded at the Spring 2024 TJC conference in Murfreesboro, TN.This episode is for all audiences.

Almost half of all claims that come into the AOC are related to Juvenile Court. In this episode, host Joe Byrd welcomes Stacy Lynch, Director of the Court Improvement Program, who has a lifetime of experience with Juvenile Courts. Here, Stacy and Joe give insight into how attorneys can navigate the system effectively, including discussion of Rule 13, Rule 40, and necessary information regarding guardian ad litems, CASA volunteers, Safe Baby Court, court findings of potential dependency and neglect, and more. This podcast is intended for attorneys.

Appellate courts can be a mystery. In this episode of Tennessee Court Talk, judges of the Tennessee Court of Appeals and Court of Criminal Appeals pull back the curtain. Judges Jill Ayers, Frank Clement, Tom Greenholtz, and Steve Stafford explore a wide variety of topics ranging from arguing cases before appellate courts to the issuance of opinions. Judge Jeffrey Usman hosts their discussion as these judges attempt to make Tennessee's appellate courts less mysterious. This episode is intended for all audiences.

Technology is changing at a rapid pace, and judicial systems here in Tennessee and around the U.S. are finding innovative ways to keep up, from positive uses of AI, to civic education, to improved access to justice, data access, and more. In this episode--recorded at the 2024 Conference of Chief Justices in Nashville, Tennessee--Justice Sarah Campbell interviews Chief Justice Mary R. Russell of Missouri, Chief Justice Elissa Cadish of Nevada, Chief Justice Elizabeth Clement of Michigan, and Chief Justice Ann Timmer of Arizona about how new technologies have been implemented in their respective states. This episode is for all audiences.

This episode of Appointed Counsel deals with how to get paid when a case in General Sessions court is bound over to the grand jury.   As an attorney appointed to represent a defendant in one of these cases, one may question whether or not they may be compensated for the extra time.  The short answer is yes, and Joe Byrd is here to explain the details. This podcast is intended for attorneys.

April is Help4TN month! In this episode, the hosts of Lady Justice: Women of the court take over Tennessee Court Talk to discuss the Tennessee Justice Bus. Justice Elizabeth D. Walker of West Virginia and Justice Rhonda K. Wood of Arkansas sit down with Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Jeff Bivins and Anne-Lousie Wirthlin, Director of Access to Justice and Strategic Development for the Administrative Office of the Tennessee Courts sit down for a discussion on the Tennessee Justice Bus, the legal law office bringing legal help to rural communities in Tennessee. Justice Bivins and Anne-Louise answer how the justice bus came to be, how it brings lawyers to rural communities and how to schedule a Justice Bus visit. 

Public trust and confidence in the courts is becoming a major concern in the media and among the public, as surveys conducted by the National Center for State Courts have shown declines in public trust over the last decade. Here to discuss this issue--and what can be done about it--are your host, Judge Neal McBrayer of the Tennessee Court of Appeals, and special guests Chief Justice Elizabeth Walker of West Virginia, Chief Judge Anna Blackburne-Rigsby of the District of Columbia Courts, and Chief Justice Loretta Rush of Indiana. This episode was recorded at the Conference of Chief Justices in Nashville, TN and podcast is intended for all audiences.

Occasionally Joe Byrd is asked by attorneys how to make sure their claims are processed as quickly as possible. The simple answer is to file everything correctly to avoid having the claim returned by AOC staff.  In this episode of Appointed Counsel, host Joe Byrd invites AOC Senior Auditor Jada Herndon to discuss the top 10 most common reasons claims are returned. This episode is intended for attorneys.

This episode will highlight indigent representation and review how several states meet their constitutional obligations to provide attorneys for indigent, or poor, defendants.  The host for this episode is Appointed Counsel's own Joe Byrd, who is the lead attorney managing Tennessee's indigent representation fund. He is joined by Chief Justice Laurance VanMeter of Kentucky, Chief Justice Valerie Stanfill of Maine and Chief Justice Marla Luckert of Kansas. This episode was recorded at the Conferences of Chief Justices in Nashville. 

From the time he was four years old, John McClarty desired of becoming a lawyer. Even in a time when the civil rights movement was evolving and significant Supreme Court decisions were changing the world of education in which he was determined to practice law. In this episode, host Nick Morgan sits down with Tennessee Court of Appeals Judge John McClarty to discuss his autobiography, The Dreamer: John W. McClarty, Judge. Their conversation is filled with stories from Chattanooga in the 1950's to a lifetime spanning two careers, as a lawyer and an appellate judge. This episode is for all audiences. 

At the end of the judicial process, a judge is tasked with sentencing the convicted person to a penalty or sanction. The process of sentencing can be complex and have many layers that a judge must work through and research before making a decision on final punishment. In this episode, Judge Steve Sword of the sixth judicial district, Judge Jim Goodwin of the second judicial district and Judge Zack Walden of the eighth judicial district in Tennessee. Barbara Peck is the host and this episode is intended for all audiences.  

What is a contemporaneous time record and why is it important? According to Rule 13 6(a)(6), attorneys are held to a high degree of care in the keeping of time records supporting claims. In this episode, host Joe Byrd answers questions about the importance of timely recording as appointed counsel in Tennessee. This podcast is primarily for attorneys.

The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts receives between 80,000 and 100,000 compensation claims per year from 95 counties across the state of Tennessee. In Appointed Counsel's premier episode, host Joe Byrd sets out to explain the most efficient way to be paid, scenarios that cause delay and  walks listeners through the Indigent Services review process. 

In this episode, host Dave Stripling introduces a new instructional series for attorneys called Appointed Counsel, Dave sits down with its host Joe Byrd, Lead Attorney for the Indigent Services Team. If someone cannot afford an attorney in the U.S. they still have a right to one, and thus our American system and our Constitution ensure an attorney is appointed to them. Here, Joe answers questions about how counsel is appointed in Tennessee, how the appointed attorneys get paid, how someone is determined as "indigent," Rules 13 and 42, and what appointed attorneys will learn from his new instructional series, Appointed Counsel. This episode is intended for all audiences.  

Prisons are filled with non-violent offenders who normally spend most of their lives incarcerated and have high rates of recidivism, often due to addiction. Recovery courts are opportunities for qualified inmates to overcome adversity through rehabilitative alternatives to prison. Circuit Court Judge Tammy Herrington of the 5th Judicial District, Criminal Court Judge Jim Goodwin of the 2nd Judicial District, Circuit Court Judge Beth Boniface of the 3rd Judicial District  and Circuit Court Judge Mike Pemberton of the 9th Judicial District sit down  to discuss these programs offered in Tennessee.This podcast is for all audiences and Barbara Peck is your host. 

In this episode, Court of Appeals Judge Frank Clement Jr., Chancellor Anne Martin of Davidson County Chancery Court, Part II, Chief Deputy Clerk Lisa Marsh and Ian Dinkins remember Judge Richard Dinkins for his integrity, fairness, and humbleness while becoming a luminary in the law community. 

 In this episode we take you to the investiture ceremony of Justice Dwight E. Tarwater to the Tennessee Supreme Court at the Tennessee Theater in Knoxville on September 5, 2023.

General Sessions courts are often referred to as “the court of first resort,” “the people's court,” or “small claims court.” In Tennessee, General Sessions courts have broad jurisdiction over civil claims and play a key role in almost every criminal prosecution in the state. Join Judges Lee Bussart (Marshall County), Lynda Jones (Davidson County), Alex McVeagh (Hamilton County) and Kee Bryant-McCormick (Sumner County) as they discuss the role of general sessions courts in the Tennessee judicial system. 

Wellness is critical for both judges and attorneys, who can struggle with demanding careers and lifestyles. Court of Criminal Appeals Judges Tim Easter and Jill Ayers join Chancellor Jerri Bryant and Tennessee Lawyer Assistance Program Executive Director Buddy Stockwell as they discuss wellness strategies and tips.