A recent Tennessee Court of Appeals decision involving the common law writ of certiorari highlighted a case decided by the Tennessee Supreme Court over a year ago, but one which I had missed. The recent case, handed down within just the last day or two by the Tennessee Court of Appeals, Phillips v Northwest Correctional …

One question my contractor clients often ask me is, "how can I ensure I get paid?" Unfortunately, there is nothing out there that can guarantee contractors will get paid. Many years ago, the legislature enacted the Mechanic's and Materialmen's Lien Statute as a means of providing contractors security from non-payment. A mechanic's lien is a …

Contractors, like many others, are regulated professionals. In order to engage in “contracting”, a person must have a license, which requires the passage of an exam and proving financial security.