TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Oct 21, 2025

Hardin County Lawyer Nicholas Lee Surratt received a public censure from the Tennessee Supreme Court on Oct. 20 after the court determined that he violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1, 1.3, 3.2, 3.4(c), 8.4(d) and (g). Surratt was hired to represent a criminal defendant in appealing a conviction but failed to timely file the trial court transcript and failed to respond to the Court of Criminal Appeals about the transcript. The court then held him in willful contempt. Surratt also failed to comply with subsequent orders entered by the court establishing deadlines for filing the client’s principal brief.