Thomas Coupe' Email & Phone Number

Memphis, Tn, Us

Greater Memphis Area

Coordinate legislative proposals in accordance with guidance from the Juvenile Court Judge. Maintain communications with stakeholders and partners to remain apprised of potential legislative issues that may affect the Juvenile Court. Represent the Court's interests on state legislative matters that impact the juvenile and child welfare law in Shelby County.Respond to requests from legislators and legislative staff in a timely and professional manner.Supervise the Judge’s Action Center, which serves as a liaison between the public and the Court to provide helpful and timely answers for people who have questions or concerns involving Juvenile Court and child welfare related issues; conduct legal research and analysis for the Judge, Chief Legal Officer, and Magistrates regarding child welfare issues; provide advice to Court’s CEO and Administrative Services Division concerning other legal matters that involve the Court; conduct Memphis Bar Association CLE trainings on child welfare issues on behalf of Juvenile Court; coordinate the Youth Court program; occasionally preside as Juvenile Court Magistrate for various dockets. Served as legal counsel for Juvenile Court during the formulation of Department of Justice’s Memorandum of Agreement; responsible for the formulation and creation of judicial policies relating to DOJ’s MOA, serve as “Community Outreach” coordinator responsible for creating and maintaining Juvenile Court’s relationship with the public per the DOJ’s MOA. Served on the Tennessee Supreme Court’s subcommittee to rewrite the Tennessee Rules of Juvenile Procedure. Previously supervised attorneys in the Office of Non-Custodial Advocate, which assists pro se litigants in understanding their rights and responsibilities under the law, guides them in the use of the proper legal forms, and counsels them with issues such as child support, paternity, custody, and visitation.

Greater Nashville Area, Tn

Conducted legal research in the area of child welfare law; developed, planned and implemented educational seminars for judiciary, foster care review boards, and attorneys in the areas of child dependency and termination of parental rights; conducted primary research for the 2007 Court Improvement Legal Advocacy Manual; provided technical assistance to judges and attorneys; worked with courts and other governmental agencies in improving procedures in foster care cases.

Rutherford County, Tn And Williamson County, Tn

Represented the State in termination of parental rights and dependency & neglect cases in Juvenile, Chancery, and Circuit courts as the sole attorney for Rutherford and Williamson Counties; provided legal advice to case managers regarding removal and placement issues; drafted, wrote, and submitted all petitions, motions, and orders involving termination of parental rights and dependency and neglect cases; served as the Department’s representative at Child Protective Investigation Team (CPIT) meetings involving severe abuse cases.

Greater Memphis Area

Conducted TennCare disenrollment hearings pursuant to procedures contained in the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act; administered oaths, questioned witnesses, listened to testimony, recorded hearings, analyzed, and evaluated pertinent facts on each appeal; prepared written decisions based on verbal and documentary evidence; applied departmental policies, procedures, rules and regulations with respect to Federal and State laws.

Greater Memphis Area

Represented the State in dependency and neglect cases in Juvenile, Chancery, and Circuit courts; provided legal advice to case managers regarding removal and placement issues; managed approximately 200 cases at any given time; was sole attorney responsible for representing the Department in all permanency plan ratifications and hearings; served as the Department’s representative at Child Protective Investigation Team (CPIT) meetings involving severe abuse cases.

Juris Doctor, Law

Activities and Societies: HONORS: • Order of Barristers for excellence in oral advocacy • Dean’s List, Spring 2002 • CALI Award.

Bachelor Of Arts, Political Science

Activities and Societies: Student Ambassador Board

Political Science And Government

Activities and Societies: Mock Trial Team