Circuit Court for Davidson County, Tennessee Chambers Communication Rules

CRITICAL

Contact

Phone to chambers

The judge does not accept direct telephone calls from attorneys or litigants; conference calls must be arranged through the Judicial Assistant.

The judge will accept no telephone calls from one attorney or from litigants. If a conference call is necessary, contact the Judicial Assistant to Judge McClendon.

CRITICAL

Contact

Email to clerk

Opposed continuance requests must be submitted by email to the Court's Judicial Assistant and/or Courtroom Clerk, copying opposing counsel or the pro se party.

All requests for continuances which are opposed shall be made by written correspondence to the Court’s Judicial Assistant and/or Courtroom Clerk via email with the opposing counsel or pro se party included on the email request.

CRITICAL

Contact

Phone to chambers

Phone

615-862-5907

Upon filing of any request for emergency or ex parte relief, please call chambers at: 615-862-5907 AND email a courtesy copy to the Court’s Judicial Assistant and/or Courtroom Clerk to ensure timely and prompt attention to the request.

Upon filing of any request for emergency or ex parte relief, please call chambers at: 615-862-5907 AND email a courtesy copy to the Court’s Judicial Assistant and/or Courtroom Clerk to ensure timely and prompt attention to the request.

CRITICAL

Contact

Phone to chambers

Phone

615-862-5907

Final hearing dates for ID divorces are obtained by calling Third Circuit chambers at 615-862-5907, and the date must follow the 11-day rule unless the Court approves otherwise by Agreed Order.

Before filing an Order to Set, a date for a final hearing must be requested and approved. A request to set an ID Divorce for a final hearing may be made by calling the chambers of the Third Circuit Court at: 615-862- 5907 and speaking with a staff member. Unless there is permission from the Court and an Agreed Order, the date provided via phone must follow the 11-day rule.

CRITICAL

Contact

Phone to chambers

Discussing the merits of a pending case with court staff is strictly prohibited unless otherwise allowed by the Chamber Rules.

Unless otherwise allowed in these Chamber Rules, discussing the merits of a pending case with a staff member is strictly prohibited.

CRITICAL

Contact

Phone to chambers

Phone

615-862-5910

Please be sure to call chambers at: 615-862-5910 or email: ronnellgriffin@jisnashville.gov to provide information on docket announcements (e.g., continuance, agreed order, strike, etc.). This should be done even if a notice or Agreed Order has been filed, as the Court does not receive these notices.

Please be sure to call chambers at: 615-862-5910 or email: ronnellgriffin@jisnashville.gov to provide information on docket announcements (e.g., continuance, agreed order, strike, etc.). This should be done even if a notice or Agreed Order has been filed, as the Court does not receive these notices.

CRITICAL

Contact

Email to chambers

Opposed continuance requests must be made by written correspondence to Judicial Assistant Ronnell Griffin via email.

All requests for continuances which are opposed shall be made by written correspondence to the Court's Judicial Assistant, Ronnell Griffin, at ronnellgriffin@jisnashville.gov.

CRITICAL

Contact

Phone to chambers

Phone

615-862-5910

Upon filing the same, please call chambers at: 615-862-5910 AND email a courtesy copy to: ronnellgriffin@jisnashville.gov to ensure timely and prompt attention to the request.

Upon filing the same, please call chambers at: 615-862-5910 AND email a courtesy copy to: ronnellgriffin@jisnashville.gov to ensure timely and prompt attention to the request.

CRITICAL

Contact

Phone to chambers

Docket announcements must be made to the Court by 8:45 a.m. on the Friday of the motion hearing, or announced in open court that day.

Please be sure to notify the Court of these announcements no later than 8:45 a.m. the Friday of the Motion hearing; otherwise, you may announce in open court the day of the hearing.

CRITICAL

Contact

Phone to chambers

Discussing the merits of a pending case with court staff is strictly prohibited unless otherwise allowed in the Chamber Rules.

Unless otherwise allowed in these Chamber Rules, discussing the merits of a pending case with a staff member is strictly prohibited.

WARNING

Contact

Phone to clerk

All civil-motion scheduling is handled through the Second Circuit Court Law Clerk.

All scheduling for motions in civil cases, contact the Second Circuit Court Law Clerk.

WARNING

The judge prefers written communication through pleadings, memoranda, and briefs unless directed otherwise.

Judge McClendon prefers that all communication be by pleadings, memoranda and briefs, unless she directs otherwise in specific situations, such as follow-ups to a status conference.

WARNING

Contact

Phone to clerk

Law clerks may discuss scheduling and administrative issues with attorneys, but not substantive case matters.

The law clerk will discuss scheduling and administrative matters with attorneys, but not substantive matters.

WARNING

Contact

Phone to chambers

possible, the Court should be notified in advance if the attorney for a party or a party will be late.

possible, the Court should be notified in advance if the attorney for a party or a party will be late.

WARNING

Contact

Phone to chambers

Phone

615-862-5907

Please be sure to call chambers at: 615-862-5907 or email the Court’s Judicial Assistant (staceybaird@jisnashville.gov) and Courtroom Clerk (catherinetjackson@jisnashville.gov) to provide information on docket announcements (e.g., continuance, agreed order, strike, etc.).

Please be sure to call chambers at: 615-862-5907 or email the Court’s Judicial Assistant (staceybaird@jisnashville.gov) and Courtroom Clerk (catherinetjackson@jisnashville.gov) to provide information on docket announcements (e.g., continuance, agreed order, strike, etc.).

WARNINGCivil casesProposed or draft document; may not be in force

Contact

Phone to chambers

Phone

615.862.5901

Parties may call the Court at 615.862.5901 to check hearing availability when they agree to an expedited hearing.

If the parties have agreed to an expedited hearing of a motion, they may call the Court at 615.862.5901 to see when the Court is available for a hearing.

WARNINGCivil casesProposed or draft document; may not be in force

Contact

Phone to chambers

Phone

615.862.5901

Scheduling of matters outside normally scheduled dockets may occur by telephone with the Judge’s judicial assistant at 615.862.5901 or in any manner directed by the Court. Otherwise, Judge Briley prefers that all communication be by pleadings, notices, memoranda, and briefs. Written correspondence should not replace or augment pleadings, motions, or other papers that may be filed with the Court.

Scheduling of matters outside normally scheduled dockets may occur by telephone with the Judge’s judicial assistant at 615.862.5901 or in any manner directed by the Court. Otherwise, Judge Briley prefers that all communication be by pleadings, notices, memoranda, and briefs. Written correspondence should not replace or augment pleadings, motions, or other papers that may be filed with the Court.

WARNING

Counsel or parties must notify the Court as soon as possible if they expect to be late; a movant who fails to appear at a Friday morning civil motion call without notice may have the motion stricken, and a non-movant who fails to appear may have the motion granted.

If counsel or a party expects that they will be late to court, please notify the Court as soon as possible. If a civil motion is called on a Friday morning and the movant is not present without having notified the Court, the motion may be stricken. If a non-movant is not present without having notified the Court, the motion may be granted.

WARNING

Discovery disputes are generally not resolved by telephone; parties must file the appropriate motion.

Judge Binkley generally will not resolve discovery disputes by telephone. Attorneys or parties must file the appropriate motion.

WARNINGCivil cases

Contact

Phone

Phone

(615) 880-2592

Post-trial hearings must be scheduled directly with Staff Attorney Emily Sanders by phone or email.

Specially-set post-trial hearings, including hearings to determine the extent of damages, must be scheduled directly with the Eighth Circuit Staff Attorney Emily Sanders. Please call (615) 880-2592 or email EmilyASanders@jisnashville.gov to find an acceptable date.

WARNING

Parties unable to attend by video must contact the Special Master at least 5 business days in advance to arrange alternatives.

If you are unable to attend the Status Conference Docket by video, you must contact the Special Master no later than five (5) business days in advance of your scheduled conference to make alternative arrangements, this includes any request to appear by phone rather than video.

WARNING

Contact

Email to chambers

Proposed orders may be emailed to the Special Master for review, but must not be sent for filing.

Proposed orders may be emailed to the Special Master for review prior to e- filing or as directed by the Special Master. DO NOT send proposed orders to the Special Master for filing.

WARNING

All parties must be copied on electronic communications to the Special Master; ex parte communications allowed for scheduling, administrative, and emergency purposes at Special Master's discretion.

Please ensure all parties and/or their a are copied on all written and electronic communications to the Special Master and likewise ensure all parties are on the line for any call to the Special Master. No party or other person should communicate with the Special Master regarding a case without notice and opportunity for all parties to participate in such communications. Ex parte communications for scheduling, administrative and emergency purposes may occur from time to time if the Special Master determines such communications are necessary and will not disadvantage another party. All such ex parte communications are at the discretion of the Special Master.

WARNING

Contact

Email to chambers

Substantive communications may be made by email to court staff with opposing counsel copied when timing prevents formal filings.

When timing does not allow for communication with the Court in a formal pleading, notice memoranda, or in open court, communication with the Court regarding a substantive or fact specific matter of a case, including a matter to be considered by the Judge outside of a formal hearing, may take place via email to the appropriate staff person with opposing counsel copied (or opposing party if a self-represented litigant).

INFO

Contact

Phone to chambers

For scheduling or rescheduling conferences or trials, you may call the Judicial Assistant to Judge McClendon.

For scheduling or rescheduling conferences or trials, you may call the Judicial Assistant to Judge McClendon.

INFO

Contact

Phone to chambers

Attorneys may call or write to ask about the status of a case under advisement, particularly after 30 days, without penalty.

The Court is happy to have any attorney call or write and inquire as to the status of a case under advisement, particularly if the opinion is over 30 days. You will not be penalized if you ask what the status is.

INFO

Contact

Phone to clerk

Phone

615-862-5181

In order-of-protection cases, contact the OP Clerk by phone for hearing questions or anticipated lateness; the clerk's office number is 615-862-5181.

Please contact OP Clerk for any questions regarding your hearing or if you anticipate that you will be late to court. The Circuit Court Clerk’s Office telephone number is 615-862-5181.

INFO

Contact

Email to chambers

Non-substantive matters (general direction, scheduling, administration, procedure, or assistance) may be communicated by email to court staff.

Matters that are not substantive and request general direction, scheduling, administration, procedure, or general assistance from court staff may be communicated via written email correspondence to a staff member of the Court or a telephone call to the Court’s staff.

INFO

Contact

Email to chambers

Email to court staff is permitted for substantive case matters when timing prevents formal communication, provided opposing counsel (or self-represented party) is copied.

When timing does not allow for communication with the Court in a formal pleading, notice memoranda, or in open court, communication with the Court regarding a substantive or fact specific matter of a case, including a matter to be considered by the Judge outside of a formal hearing, may take place via email to the appropriate staff person with opposing counsel copied (or opposing party if a self-represented litigant).

INFO

The Court prefers that all matters be communicated through formal pleadings, notices, or memoranda (with the adverse party copied) or in open court.

It is the preference of the Court that all matters be communicated to the Court in pleadings, notices, and memoranda, with the adverse party copied accordingly, or in open court.

INFO

Questions about filings, copies, fees, or case records should be directed to the Circuit Court Clerk's Office.

Questions about filings, copies, fees, or case records should be directed to the Circuit Court Clerk's Office.

INFO

Contact

Phone to clerk

Phone

880-2555

To schedule a judicial settlement conference, contact the Special Master's Office at 880-2555.

In order to schedule a judicial settlement conference for a case that has been assigned to the Fifth Circuit Court, contact the Special Master's Office at 880-2555.

INFO

Contact

Phone to chambers

Emergency motions may be conducted by telephone when necessary or appropriate.

Judge Binkley will conduct emergency motions by telephone whenever it is necessary and/or appropriate.

INFO

Contact

Phone to clerk

Phone

(615) 862-4209

Trial dates are obtained from the Assignment Clerk; all other scheduling is handled by Judge Binkley's Judicial Assistant.

Trial dates for all jury and non-jury trials should be obtained from the Assignment Clerk at (615) 862-4209. All other scheduling should be done with Judge Binkley's Judicial Assistant, Marla Guinn at (615) 862-5915.

INFO

Contact

Phone to chambers

Status and pre-trial conferences may be conducted by telephone for out-of-town counsel or when in-person presence is not feasible.

Judge Binkley will conduct status conferences or pre-trial conferences by telephone whenever out-of-town counsel are involved and/or the physical presence of in-town counsel is not feasible and/or necessary.

INFO

Judge Binkley prefers communication via formal filings; letters sent to the Court are placed in the case file.

Judge Binkley prefers that all communication with the Court should be by pleadings, notices, memoranda and briefs. Letters sent to the Court will be placed in the case file.

INFOCivil cases

Contact

Phone

Telephone conferences are permitted when in-person presence is not feasible; emergency motions may be heard by phone; contact the Staff Attorney to arrange a conference call.

Telephone conferences are permissible whenever the physical presence of out-of-town counsel or in-town counsel is not feasible or necessary. Judge Ingram may conduct emergency motions by telephone whenever it is necessary or appropriate. If a conference call is necessary, please contact the Staff Attorney to Judge Ingram.

INFO

Contact

Email to chambers

The court's office email address is fourthcircuitwebteam@jisnashville.gov.

5. Office Email fourthcircuitwebteam@jisnashville.gov

INFO

Court prefers all matters be communicated via formal pleadings with adverse party copied, or in open court.

It is the preference of the Court that all matters be communicated to the Court in pleadings, notices, and memoranda, with the adverse party copied accordingly, or in open court.

INFO

Contact

Email to clerk

Contact OP Clerk Kelli Olin (or alternate clerks) via email for questions about OP hearings or if you will be late.

Please contact OP Clerk Kelli Olin at kolin@jisnashville.gov for any questions regarding your hearing or if you anticipate that you will be late to court. If Ms. Olin is out of the office, you may also contact one of the following clerks: Aaliyah Muller at aaliyahnmuller@jisnashville.gov; Zac Rogers at zacharyrrogers@jisnashville.gov; or Jessi Emens at jessiemens@jisnashville.gov.

INFO

Contact

Email to chambers

Phone

615-862-5910

Contact Ms. Ronnell Griffin by phone or email to obtain Judicial Settlement Conference dates.

Attorneys and self-represented litigants must contact Ms. Ronnell Griffin by telephone: 615-862-5910 or e-mail: ronnellgriffin@jisnashville.gov to obtain Judicial Settlement Conference dates.

INFO

Contact

Email

Individuals interested in guardian ad litem or indigent representation appointments in TPR/adoption cases should contact Special Master Kristen Menke or Coordinator Bekah Haralson by email.

Individuals interested in accepting an appointment to represent indigent respondents and/or to serve as guardian ad litem in termination of parental rights and adoption cases, please contact Special Master Kristen Menke at: kristenemenke@jisnashville.gov or the Court Improvement and Communications Coordinator, Bekah Haralson, at: rebekahlharalson@jisnashville.gov.

INFO

Contact

Phone to chambers

Phone calls to the court are directed to voicemail during staff meetings on Thursdays from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Please note: Staff meetings are conducted from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. every Thursday. Phone calls will be directed to voicemail during this time.

INFO

Contact

Email to chambers

Non-substantive matters may be communicated by email to court staff.

Matters that are not substantive and request general direction, scheduling, administration, procedure, or general assistance from court staff may be communicated via written email correspondence to a staff member of the Court or a telephone call to the Court's chambers.

INFO

The court's office fax number is 615-214-2154.

4. Office Fax 615-214-2154

INFO

Contact

Phone to chambers

Phone

615-862-5910

The court's office phone number is 615-862-5910.

3. Office Phone 615-862-5910

INFO

Contact

Phone to chambers

The court office is open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The normal office hours for the Court are as follows: Monday – Thursday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Friday 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

WARNING

The Court must be notified by phone or email about docket announcements even if a notice or Agreed Order is filed at the Court, because the Court does not automatically receive these notices.

Please contact your Chambers attorney by phone for each of these announcements (e.g., continuance, continuation, agreed order, strike, etc.). This should be done even if a notice or Agreed Order has been filed, as that the Court will not receive these notices do not arrive.

INFO

Phone

615-862-5910

ID divorce final hearing dates may be scheduled by calling chambers at 615-862-5910; the date will follow the 11-day rule unless an Agreed Order.

Via Phone. A request to set an ID Divorce for a final hearing may be made by calling the chambers of the Fourth Circuit Court at: 615-862-5910 and speaking with a staff member. Unless there is an Agreed Order, the date provided via phone will also follow the 11 day rule.