TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Azya Thornton on Jan 28, 2026

Courts across parts of Tennessee closed and adjusted operations this week because of severe winter weather, prompting deadline extensions and emergency measures, while federal disaster assistance was approved statewide. In Davidson County, the Metropolitan Historic Courthouse and the Justice A.A. Birch Courthouse were closed Monday and Tuesday, and all deadlines for matters pending in the 20th Judicial District have been extended by two days due to many practitioners and litigants lacking power or internet access. It is discretionary for each judge to determine how this impacts their hearing and other court schedules. According to the Daily Memphian, in Shelby County, circuit, general sessions, criminal, probate and civil courts, including the clerk’s office, were closed today, with the clerk’s 24-hour bail office remaining open. Juvenile Court canceled most dockets and held select hearings virtually. Staff worked remotely, and hearings were reset to next available docket date if families could not attend virtually. Additionally, President Donald Trump approved an emergency declaration on Saturday authorizing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide disaster assistance in all 95 Tennessee counties, including 75% federally funded emergency protective measures, with Mary Hernandez Marrero named federal coordinating officer for the response.

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