The indigent representation proposal from the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) on behalf of the Tennessee Supreme Court addresses a number of challenges in the state's current system. One benefit of the proposal would be eliminating the use of court time to appoint attorneys for these cases. Under the plan, judges would be able to rely on the proposed "Office of Indigent Conflicts and Civil Counsel," which would assume responsibility for appointing lawyers in child welfare cases and criminal cases when the public defender has a conflict. In addition, the proposed "Indigent Representation Commission" would be charged with reviewing, developing and, where possible, implementing procedures to improve accountability and prevent misuse of the system. Learn more about the plan and indigent representation in Tennessee. 

The indigent representation proposal from the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) on behalf of the Tennessee Supreme Court addresses a number of challenges in the current system. This includes using strategic compensation structures for employing and contracting with attorneys. Under the plan, the “Indigent Representation Commission" may use a combination of retainer, flat fee and hourly or other contracts, offering lawyers more competitive and predictable compensation. Among the advantages of this approach are the elimination of caps and the implementation of intermittent payments. Learn more about the plan and indigent representation in Tennessee.

In this month's episode of BarBuzz, TBA Executive Director Sheree Wright speaks with Liz Todaro, TBA director of access to justice and special projects, and John Farringer, a commercial litigator with Sherrard Roe Voigt & Harbison and TBA’s incoming president for the 2027-2028 bar year. The discussion focuses on the Administrative Office of the Courts’ plan for funding indigent representation, a key issue shaping legal access in Tennessee. The group also talks about the importance of TBA's Day on the Hill and Big Shrimp Legislative Reception, two events that connect legal professionals with lawmakers to advocate for issues such as indigent defense funding. TBA’s 2025 Day on the Hill and Big Shrimp Reception will take place next week in Nashville. Register for the day's events on the TBA website or get more information about indigent defense in Tennessee. Find past episodes of the podcast in the BarBuzz archive.

The indigent representation proposal from the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) on behalf of the Tennessee Supreme Court is designed not only to ensure that the state meets its obligations under the law, but also provides for a phased implementation to strategically address the special needs of some communities and case types. During last year's effort to increase the compensation rate for appointed attorneys, the AOC was encouraged to consider alternatives, including ones that would better address the needs of smaller and rural communities. This proposal seeks to respond to those concerns by providing flexibility and stability to focus on building capacity in those areas, as well as for contracts that require tailored solutions such as those for complex cases. The proposed plan requires a recurring appropriation of $17 million, and over time, the dollars used to pay today’s claims would be used to expand contracting options. Learn more about the plan and indigent representation in Tennessee.

It's not too late to register for TBA's Day on the Hill and Big Shrimp Legislative Reception, which will be held in Nashville on March 19. Lawyers will meet with legislators in the afternoon, followed by the annual Big Shrimp Reception that night. The events give Tennessee lawyers an opportunity to meet with legislators and talk to them about issues important to the profession, including funding for indigent representation. RSVP here! Those who register to attend will be invited to join a preview call this Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. CDT. Those who register after Wednesday will have access to a recording of the call so they can make the most of the legislative visits. Learn more about the need for increased indigent representation funding or read about how the system works in Tennessee in posts from the TBA's recent Indigent Representation Primer.

The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) on behalf of the Tennessee Supreme Court has proposed the development of a new structure for handling civil appointments for indigents as well as criminal conflicts. Under the plan, the Tennessee Supreme Court would establish the “Indigent Representation Commission.” This commission would provide oversight and management for the indigent representation system, including the proposed "Office of Indigent Conflicts and Civil Counsel." The commission would be governed by Tennessee Supreme Court Rule, like existing supreme court boards and commissions, and would manage indigent representation tasks presently handled largely by the courts. The commission also would work closely with other stakeholders to review and implement policies to improve the system. Learn more about the plan and indigent representation in Tennessee. Watch for more details about the plan in upcoming issues of TBA Today.

The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) on behalf of the Tennessee Supreme Court has proposed the development of a new structure for handling civil appointments for indigents and to handle criminal conflicts. Under the plan, the Tennessee Supreme Court would establish an “Office of Indigent Conflicts and Civil Counsel,” with oversight by an “Indigent Representation Commission.” The office would manage an estimated 76,000 cases each year, employing one statewide executive director and three attorneys — one in each grand division — as well as up to two full time or four part time attorneys who will all maintain their own caseloads. The office will implement strategic compensation structures using a combination of retainer, flat fee and hourly contracts, offering more competitive, predictable and intermittent compensation for attorneys who take appointed cases. The Supreme Court and the TBA believe that this new structure will better address the impending crisis in the administration of justice in Tennessee. Learn more about the plan and indigent representation in Tennessee and watch for our ongoing coverage of this issue. 

The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) on behalf of the Tennessee Supreme Court has proposed a plan to address the growing crisis in providing legal representation to indigent individuals in Tennessee. Under the current program, many attorneys cannot afford to take appointed cases due to low compensation and program constraints. Among the innovative elements of the plan is a proposal to utilize strategic and flexible contracting with attorneys. Contracts with attorneys would use a combination of retainer, flat fee and hourly or other contracts and would be tailored to fit the qualifications of the attorney, the complexity of the case type and the particular needs of the judicial district. In addition, attorneys would have options to contract to provide this representation for a percentage of their time, allowing appointed cases to be balanced with other clients. Learn more about the plan and indigent representation in Tennessee. Watch for more details about the plan in upcoming issues of TBA Today. 

The indigent representation proposal from the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) on behalf of the Tennessee Supreme Court is expected to provide a range of benefits. These include increasing the number of attorneys willing to accept appointments, enhancing the quality of representation with training and mentorship opportunities, focusing on complex cases and smaller rural communities to build capacity, and eliminating the need for judges to find attorneys to take cases. The plan also is expected to lead to more timely representation and better outcomes for children needing guardian ad litem services, and a smoother process in adoption cases. In addition, it will assist in the proper determination of indigency by developing processes and safeguards to protect against misuse. The TBA applauds the collaborative efforts of the Supreme Court, the AOC and stakeholders in developing and advocating for a new plan moving forward. Learn more about the plan and indigent representation in Tennessee.

The indigent representation proposal from the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) on behalf of the Tennessee Supreme Court is designed not only to ensure that the state meets its obligations under the law, but also provides for a phased implementation to strategically address the special needs of some communities and case types. During last year's effort to increase the compensation rate for appointed attorneys, the AOC was encouraged to consider alternatives, including ones that would better address the needs of smaller and rural communities. This proposal seeks to respond to those concerns by providing flexibility and stability to focus on building capacity in those areas, as well as others requiring tailored solutions, such as complex cases. The proposed plan requires a recurring appropriation of $17 million, and over time, the dollars used to pay today’s claims would be used to expand contracting options. Learn more about the plan and indigent representation in Tennessee. Watch for more details about the plan in upcoming issues of TBA Today.