TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Azya Thornton on Oct 27, 2025

Mediation in Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert's ouster case has ended, the Commercial Appeal reports. A notice filed Oct. 21 by former federal Judge Bernice Donald was brief and said one of the parties withdrew from the voluntary mediation. It did not say who had withdrawn. A notice that mediation was underway was filed Oct. 10 and was scheduled for Oct. 30. Both parties agreed to join in the mediation and the Tennessee Court of Appeals agreed to put its ruling on hold pending the outcome of that mediation. Halbert's term as clerk ends in fall 2026. She is term-limited and cannot run for the office this upcoming election cycle. The first ouster attempt was dismissed because the appointed special attorney does not live in the jurisdiction where Halbert was elected. A second ouster petition was dismissed by Shelby County Circuit Court Judge Felicia Corbin-Johnson in 2024, but an appeal was later filed in January this year.