TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Mar 19, 2025

The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) on behalf of the Tennessee Supreme Court has proposed a new structure for handling the appointment of attorneys in indigent cases. One question that has been raised is how the practice of law will change if the plan is enacted. In a recent interview with TBA President Ed Lanquist Jr., AOC staff explained that the new system should improve administrative processes for those who take appointed civil cases. Lawyers no longer will have to apply for reimbursement through the ACAP system and will not be subject to caps. Flat fees for misdemeanor cases will be paid out quicker and with less paperwork. And while there will be some reporting requirements, they will not be as onerous as required under the current system. Those who currently have hourly contracts for capital cases will not see any real changes as they already enjoy many of the benefits provided by the new plan. Watch the full interview or learn more about the plan and indigent representation in Tennessee.