Circuit Court for Davidson County, Tennessee Chambers Communication Rules
42 rules from official source documents
Rules for contacting chambers: permitted methods, hours, and purposes. This page is scoped to Circuit Court for Davidson County, Tennessee; use the court rules overview to switch categories without leaving this court.
- 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.
- 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.
- Contact
- Phone to chambers
- Phone
- 615-862-5907
Upon filing any emergency or ex parte relief request, parties must call chambers at 615-862-5907 and email a courtesy copy to the Judicial Assistant and/or Courtroom Clerk.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Contact
- Phone to chambers
- Phone
- 615-862-5910
Counsel must call or email chambers to report docket announcements (continuance, agreed order, strike) even if a notice has been filed.
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.
- 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.
- Contact
- Phone to chambers
- Phone
- 615-862-5910
Upon filing a TRO, counsel must call chambers at 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Contact
- Letter ecf to chambers
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.
- Contact
- Phone to chambers
The Court should be notified in advance if an attorney or party will be late.
possible, the Court should be notified in advance if the attorney for a party or a party will be late.
- Contact
- Phone to chambers
- Phone
- 615-862-5907
Counsel and self-represented parties must contact Chambers by phone (615-862-5907) or emails to the Judicial Assistant and Courtroom Clerk to report docket announcements (continuances, agreed orders, strikes), even when an Agreed Order or notice has already been filed, because the Court does not receive those notices.
Please remember: 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.)
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.
- Contact
- Phone to chambers
- Phone
- 615.862.5901
Scheduling outside normal dockets may be done by phone to the judicial assistant at 615.862.5901; otherwise, communication should be by pleadings, notices, memoranda, and briefs, not written correspondence.
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.
- 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.
- Contact
- Phone to chambers
- 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.
- 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).
- Contact
- Email to chambers
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.
- Contact
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.
- 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.
- Contact
- Phone to clerk
The clerk is not required to notify the sender of receipt or non-receipt of a facsimile filing.
The clerk is not required to notify the sender by return facsimile transmission or voice telephone call that the facsimile document has been received by the clerk or that the facsimile document has not been received in its entirety.
- Contact
- Phone to chambers
Contact the Judicial Assistant to schedule or reschedule conferences or trials.
For scheduling or rescheduling conferences or trials, you may call the Judicial Assistant to Judge McClendon.
- 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.
- Contact
- Letter ecf to chambers
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.
- 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).
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
The court's office email address is fourthcircuitwebteam@jisnashville.gov.
5. Office Email fourthcircuitwebteam@jisnashville.gov
- Contact
- Phone to chambers
- Phone
- 615-862-5910
The court's office phone number is 615-862-5910.
3. Office Phone 615-862-5910
- Contact
- Letter fax to chambers
The court's office fax number is 615-214-2154.
4. Office Fax 615-214-2154
- Contact
- Letter ecf to chambers
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.
- 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.
- Contact
- Phone to chambers
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Contact
- Email to clerk
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.
How may parties contact Circuit Court for Davidson County, Tennessee?
The rule addresses phone communications with the court. The judge does not accept direct telephone calls from attorneys or litigants; conference calls must be arranged through the Judicial Assistant.
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