Read the “Update from the Appointed Counsel Commission” featured in the Tennessee Bar Association’s July 29, 2026 Newsletter here:
The Appointed Counsel Commission has completed an early review of data from the 8th judicial district-the first in Tennessee to test new indigent payment models. Tennessee’s 8th judicial district encompasses Campbell, Claiborne, Fentress, Scott, and Union counties in the northeastern part of the state.
The Commission also examined a financial report and a proposed statewide implementation plan. Based on initial data and feedback, the Commission is lowering the caseload requirements and increasing the rate of pay for attorneys working on child welfare and criminal cases where the Public Defender has a conflict. These revisions in the 8th Judicial District are effective August 1, 2026.
“We are grateful to the attorneys who have faithfully served our communities by representing indigent parties. We believe the coming changes will benefit the attorneys and their clients,” said Commission Chair Mark Mesler.
“With the leadership of the Commission and the Supreme Court, the team of talented attorneys, auditors, and support staff at the Office of the Appointed Counsel Commission is committed to meeting the benchmarks set by the Commission,” said Joe Byrd, Executive Director of the OACC. “It is a work in progress – but we are certainly making progress.”
Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 56, Sec. 1 established the Appointed Counsel Commission as part of the judicial branch of government to retain and provide counsel in which an indigent party has a right to appointed counsel. Appointments arise where the Public Defender has a conflict in a criminal matter or in for parent representation or guardian ad litem in child welfare cases. The Commission establishes governing policies and Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 56, Sec. 2 establishes the Office of the Appointed Counsel Commission (OACC) for administration in enforcing Rule 56 and polices approved by the Commission.